Printer Suggestions for Online Orders - Not a Restaurant

[CaneRow1500]

I'm looking for a printer to automatically print online orders as they come in. We are a garden center, and most of the articles seem to be directed towards restaurants. I'd like to have the online orders print a ticket automatically so that orders aren't missed during the day & evening. We only do local pickup right now, but hope to do shipping in the future. We do not currently have a printer for receipts - we text or email only. 

We currently have two point of sale hardware items -  the Register which is used customer facing, and the Stand & iPad which is in the office (it doesn't swipe cards but we've kept it for back up). We use the Point of Sale NOT Square for Retail. I'd like a printer just for the online order labels to print automatically that can connect to the iPad/Stand. But it seems redundant to have another printer for receipts that connects to the Register. Receipts would take different paper than labels so I guess it would have to be two printers... 

I understand that only certain printers work with certain square hardware, but I was able to hook up our Brother printer as an "AirPrint Printer" to the iPad/Stand, so hopefully there are more options to use with that hardware. 

Any suggestions on some cost effective printers to use with the iPad/Stand for printing labels for online orders? 

[Candlestore]

@CaneRow1500 ;

As I see this is your first post let me welcome you to the Square forum.

There are articles that you can read about which hardware works with Square.  I gather you have read some of them knowing your Air Print Printer is not compatible with Square.  Not all is lost there as in another thread, a users Printer was stating it is incompatible but was still printing receipts.  Just because an accessory is compatible with an Ipad does not mean it will work with a Square Stand or register.  I am not familiar with Air Print, but guessing that that printer does also have Network compatibilities, either WiFi or a Network ethernet cable.  You may want to see if you can use that printer to go through Network settings to attach this printer to Square.  On Ipad goto the bottom right More-Hardware-Printers- add Printer.   This may or may not work, but costs nothing to try.  Before adding the Printer check the Ip address of the Printer on your network.  If Square does not find it you may have to search for it using the IP address.  Also in your Router make sure that whatever address you find is the IP address for said printer make it a Static Address.  

Now since you are asking about a Label and a Ticket printer those would be 2 different printers most likely.  Receipt printers use Thermal Paper and No ink, a Label printer can do the same but usually has a different sized Label for the shipping address and the back of the Label is sticky.  Your Air Print printer I am not sure what type of paper it prints on.  Regular printer paper, Receipt Paper or is it a Label printer?

What I have done is I use Star receipt printer for my customers.   You email or Text these receipts.

Ticket or Online Orders you may still want a Receipt printer and setup a Printer Profile for Orders or Tickets.  Similar to the Square Resturaunt kitchen Printer.  Printer Profile article here : 8245-set-up-printer-profiles 

Receipt printer is usually a Roll of paper that is not a specified length besides the overall length.  Meaning the receipt or online order can be a short 1 item order or be 100 items on the order and you just tear it when the printer stops.

Here is how to print order tickets with Square for Retail : 7601-print-order-tickets-with-square-for-retail 

To print out a Shipping Label; I use the customers name and address to copy it to a Shipper. This is on a PC from SquareDashboard and a shipper like Shippo or Shipstation etc.  This way I can use any Label printer not just a Square approved one.  Now if you want a Label to print automatically, yes you would need 2 printers.  If you had 1 and had receipt paper in it and got an online order and tried printing a label it could be a mess. Trying to print 2 different things, you could give receipt and online order to the customer by mistake.  Here is an article for setting up Square for Retail automatic printing of a label : 7601-print-order-tickets-with-square-for-retail  You might be able to do this with Square for Retail Free version instead of the paid version according to the first line of the article.

You can get away with 2 printers if you still only email / text receipts.  1 for the Online orders and 1 for the Shipping Labels.  

My current setup is:

1 Star Receipt Printer

1 Cheap Amazon 4 inch wide Label printer for my Shipping labels. works with my PC.

5 PC connected Zebra Label Printers   5 different label sizes there. 2 types of printers Direct thermal and Thermal Transfer. 

Anything that is connected to a Square Register or Ipad to print directly from a Square app should be their recommended hardware.  That Hardware is known to work with Square, and support can help you with it if a problem happens.  If you try XYZ hardware square will just say that is not compatible.  The best shot you have is find the type of printer and size(s) you want.  Then see if it is compatible with Square.  I have learned that if Square says something will not work it might if made by the Same manufacturer of one that works.  

Receipt Printer do you need one?  text email working so far people asking for a Printed recipt?

Order Printer I would use a Receipt printer that is compatible with Square. Prints out you Online Orders when you get an order and length of order is not an issue.  Just make sure paper roll will be enough from close to opening time.

Label printer ?  What size labels will you have to print?  Barcode labels or Shipping Labels?  I would do this on a PC using a cheap Label printer for 4x6 Labels that is compatible with your computer.   Here is how to setup Shipping with Square :

6910-set-up-shipping-areas-and-rates-with-square-online-store 

About $60 on amazon for a 4X6 Label printer for shipping labels, and it can do other sizes.  This connects to a computer and Not to Square Register or Ipad Stand..... Could it???