Sheet Printer Requirements
In general, Artisan POS will work with most sheet printers (8 1/2 x 11) for printing forms and reports with limited support for sheets of labels.
- Is physically connected via USB, Network, Wireless, or Bluetooth.
- Has the appropriate printer driver installed and functioning.
- Make sure a Test Page will print from the operating system printer setup.
- CerTek highly recommends wired connections.
Receipt Printer Requirements
Includes the requirements for Sheet Printers, PLUS:
Classic Artisan POS 3.5 (and earlier) – Windows Only
- Epson, Star, Ithaca, Bixolon, and other receipt printers are supported.
- USB connections are highly recommended. Once installed, don’t swap to different USB ports.
- Limited support for Serial & Parallel.
- Your serial or parallel port must be permanently attached to your computer.
- CerTek can not assist you with the installation or maintenance of USB to Serial or USB to Parallel devices.
- We will assist you in other aspects of your printer, besides the communication.
- NEVER move these devices to a different USB port.
- Generic Text Drivers are acceptable.
Artisan POS 4.X – Windows
- Epson, Star, Ithaca, Bixolon, and other receipt printers are supported.
- USB connections are highly recommended. Once installed, don’t swap to different USB ports.
- Limited support for Serial & Parallel
- Serial & Parallel receipt printers are generally too slow to be considered functioning in 4.X and are therefore not recommended. They may work in the interim while new hardware is on order.
- CerTek can not assist you with the installation or maintenance of USB to Serial or USB to Parallel devices.
- Your serial or parallel port must be permanently attached to your computer.
- We will assist you in other aspects of your printer, besides the communication. NEVER move these devices to a different USB port.
- Generic Text Drivers are NOT supported and Artisan 4.X will not print through them.
Artisan POS 4.X – Mac
- A newer Star TSP 100 is preferred over the Epson TM-T20.
- Other receipt printers are not supported on a Mac.
- New devices with current firmware only.
- USB connections are recommended. Once installed, don’t swap to different USB ports.
Label Printer Requirements
Includes the requirements for Sheet Printers, PLUS:
Classic Artisan POS 3.5 (and earlier) – Windows Only
- Specific Cognitive, Zebra, Eltron, TSC, & Sato models are supported.
- Dymo is NOT supported.
- USB connections are highly recommended. Once installed, don’t swap to different USB ports.
- Limited support for Serial & Parallel
- CerTek can not assist you with the installation or maintenance of USB to Serial or Parallel devices.
- Generic Text Drivers are acceptable.
Artisan POS 4.X – Windows
- Specific Cognitive, Zebra, Eltron, TSC models are supported.
- Dymo and Sato are NOT supported.
- USB connections are highly recommended. Once installed, don’t swap to different USB ports.
- Limited support for Serial & Parallel
- Serial & Parallel receipt printers are generally too slow to be considered functioning in 4.X and are therefor not recommended. They may work in the interim while new hardware is on order.
- CerTek can not assist you with the installation or maintenance of USB to Serial or USB to Parallel devices.
- Your serial or parallel port must be permanently attached to your computer.
- We will assist you in other aspects of your printer, besides the communication. NEVER move these devices to a different USB port.
- Generic Text Drivers for Label Printers ARE supported on 4.X.
Artisan POS 4.X – Mac
- ONLY specific TSC models are supported on a Mac.
- New printers with current firmware only.
- USB connections are recommended, once installed don’t swap to different USB ports.
Important Notes
In general, device configuration is your responsibility when reasonable attempts are made to get it working through our normal tools. We may recommend that you seek assistance with a local technician, especially if the network or wiring is a likely cause for the trouble.
CONSIDER CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU:
- Upgrade your Operating System
- Move your computer
- You should mark your USB connections and make sure you put them back the exact same way into the exact same USB sockets / ports.
- Swap Devices from one computer to another.
- Although often very beneficial, new Anti-Virus, Firewall, or Backup software installation may stop or block Artisan from operating properly.
Limitations
We have limited capabilities with older devices because sometimes the device is failing and there is nothing we can do. You should expect 5 years for a receipt printer and 3-5 years for a label printer. Anything beyond that is lucky. We understand, however, that older devices may be working fine, but may have normal issues. We will work for a limited time to resolve these issues.
Older devices may suffer the following trouble: (Possible resolutions are indented beneath.)
Lighter Printing or Printing on One Side or the Other
- Make sure the printer head is fully locked.
- There may be a cleaning process that would benefit the issue.
- Ribbons, thermal paper, or ink could be defective.
Printer Stops Working after Operating System Upgrade
- Reboot computer.
- Reinstall drivers.
- Look for Firmware upgrades.
Problems and Solutions
Typical causes of hardware trouble:
Power Fluctuations
- Shut everything down and print things in the following order, waiting for a sufficient period of time between each step for the process to complete.
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- Internet Router
- Network Devices (Switches & Routers)
- Computer
- Printers
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- Device is powered off.
- Device is not connected to computer.
- Computer is confused and requires a reboot.
- Device is confused and requires a power cycle. (Turn off, wait 10 seconds, turn back on.)
- Virus or Malware or Ransomware may be present.
- Get a local technician to assist you.