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Installing and Configuring a Printer

Kevin U
  • Updated

Installing Your Printer

When you order a printer from MealSuite (either the thermal printer TSP143IV model or the impact printer SP742 model), it will ship pre-configured to operate. The printer can be connected to your network via a wireless connection or an Ethernet connection. 

Wireless Connection

  1. Connect via cable: Connect the printer to a router (i.e., network wall switch) using an Ethernet cable.
  2. Print the IP address as follows:
    1. Ensure the printer is off.
    2. Hold down the Feed button and turn the printer on.
    3. A status sheet prints out.
    4. Let go of the Feed button.
    5. Wait up to one minute for a second sheet to print out. This second sheet contains the printer information, including IP address. 
  3. Access web page: Type the IP address into a web browser on a computer connected to the same network. 
  4. Login: Log in with user: root and password: public. 
  5. Configure wireless: Navigate to "Wireless Connection", select your network, enter the password, and save the settings.
  6. Restart: Restart the printer and unplug the Ethernet cable. 

Ethernet Connection

Simply plug it into a power outlet, and connect it to a network wall switch using an Ethernet cable. 

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Warning! If using an Elo® Expansion Module, or any other device that has a network port, do not connect to its network port. 

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Configuring your Printer (if needed)

When you order a printer from MealSuite (either the thermal printer TSP143IV model or the impact printer SP742 model), it will ship pre-configured to operate. However, if required for whatever reason to configure the printer, follow the steps below. 

Connect Printer to MealSuite Server

Once the printer is connected to your network, it will be assigned an IP address. You will retrieve that IP address and use it to access the printer settings using a web browser, and then connect the printer to the MealSuite server. Complete the following steps:

  1. Ensure the printer is off.
  2. Hold down the Feed button and turn the printer on.
  3. A status sheet prints out.
  4. Let go of the Feed button.
  5. Wait up to one minute for a second sheet to print out. This second sheet contains the printer information, including the MAC Address. 
  6. Open a web browser from the same network as the printer, and enter the printer’s IP address in the URL address bar. The Star Micronics web UI screen appears.
  7. Click Login and enter the username root and the password public. Note: If you are prompted to enter a new password, just type public.
  8. Select CloudPRNT from the left navigation pane.
  9. From the CLOUDPRINT Service drop-down, ensure ENABLE is selected.
  10. In the Server URL field, enter https://print.mealsuite.com/api/print/v1/print_jobs
  11. In the Polling time (Sec) field, enter 1 second.
  12. Select Submit.
  13. Select Save → Restart device option.
  14. Click Execute. The printer will print its printer details. 

Installing Latest Firmware Updates

While still in the Star web UI, select Firmware Updates from the left navigation pane and check for updates. If there are any updates, download and install as per the onscreen instructions.

Registering the Printer in the Core System

The next steps are to register the printer in the Core system. This involves entering the desired name for the printer and entering the MAC (media access control) address of the printer. When a print command occurs in the Touch or POS app, the system takes the command through the MealSuite server and directs it to the appropriate printer based on the MAC address.

The MAC address can either be found in the report you printed in steps 1 and 2 above, or on a physical label on the back or bottom of the printer. 

To register the printer in the Core system:

  1. From the left navigation sidebar, click Tools & Setup > Hardware Devices, and then click the Printers tab. 
  2. Click the Add New Printer button. The Add a Printer screen appears.
  3. Enter the following:
    • Name - enter the desired name of the printer. The name should be easily recognized by your staff to print orders and is typically based on the location of the printer.
    • MAC Address - can either be found in the report you printed above, or on a physical label on the back or bottom of the printer. Ensure letters are entered in uppercase. 
    • Printer type - select Cloud
      Note: The IP field can be ignored. 
  4. Click the Create Printer button to apply your changes. You are returned to the Printers screen, where the newly-added printer appears.
  5. Complete steps 2 to 4 to add additional printers.