Bluetooth Printer Setup

Overview

In the fast-paced environment of a busy restaurant, having a reliable and efficient printer system is crucial. Bluetooth printers have become a popular choice for many restaurant owners due to their convenience and ease of use.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of pairing Bluetooth printer with our Otter device.

A Bluetooth Printer is a type of printer that can be connected to an Otter device using a Bluetooth or USB connection. Once connected, the Bluetooth printer can begin printing tickets directly from the Otter Tablet, Otter POS Terminal, or any BYOD device with the OtterOne app installed.

Each printer is manually configured by the 3PL team under the supervision of the fulfillment team to ensure seamless integration.

Benefits of Using a Bluetooth Printer

Quick Connection: Bluetooth printers can be paired directly with a compatible Otter device, allowing ticket printing without additional hardware.
Flexible Placement: Bluetooth connectivity allows the printer to be placed within range of the connected device, supporting different restaurant layouts.
Simple Setup: Bluetooth printers can be connected through the device's Bluetooth settings and verified with a test print.

Bluetooth Printer Models

Otter supports multiple Bluetooth printer models that can be paired with compatible devices for order ticket printing. Each model offers different features to support a variety of operational needs.

For: Order Manager customers using an Otter tablet.

Low-cost thermal bluetooth printer, 80mm
For: Otter POS customers.

Thermal bluetooth printer, 80mm.

Included in Otter POS Bundle.
For: Otter POS and Kiosk only

This printer is connectible by USB, Bluetooth, and wifi.

Bluetooth Printer Connection Types

Connection Type	Description
Bluetooth Pairing	Bluetooth printers can be connected via bluetooth. Used to connect a Bluetooth printer to an Otter tablet.
USB Cord	The Epson TM-M30ii bluetooth printer can be connected to an Otter POS terminal via a USB cord. The Otter tablet does not support USB printer connection.
Wifi Pairing	Use Wifi connection if USB is already used (terminals can only connect to one printer via USB).

For the best printing performance, connect Bluetooth printers to Otter POS using a USB cable.

Connecting a Bluetooth Printer via USB Cord

An Otter-provided printer can be connected by scanning the QR code on the bottom of the printer or by selecting Setup Manually in the device’s hardware settings.

Step	Process	Image
1	Remove the printer from the box, remove the bottom panel of the printer, plug in the power cord to the bottom of the printer, then plug in the power cord to a power outlet. USB Cord Connection When connecting via USB, plug the USB-B cable into the bottom of the printer and connect the other end to the base of the POS terminal.
2	From the Otter POS terminal Home Screen, select the [Profile Icon 👤] at the top right of the screen, then select the Settings from the drop down options.
3	Select the [Hardware] tab within Settings.
4	Select [Add Printer].
5	Select a printer connection option from this screen: Add Otter Provided Printer Use this option for bluetooth printers shipped to customer from Otter Add My Own Printer Use this option for BYOD bluetooth printers that the customer did not receive directly from Otter Check this list of compatible printers to ensure the BYOD printer will pair successfully
6	QR code scanning If using the QR code setup, scan the QR code located on the underside on the Otter printer to automatically detect which printer type is being connected! QR codes are located on the underside of Otter-shipped printers. BYOD devices do not include QR codes.
7	Follow the on-screen guide to plug in the printer, turn it on, load paper, and connect it to the Otter tablet. The guide includes a video walkthrough. Select [Next] to continue through the steps.
8	The Bluetooth setup screen automatically scans for nearby compatible printers. When a printer appears, select it from the list. Common printer names include: Epson TM-M30ii Rongta Printer - RP328 Rongta RP310
9	Wait for printer to connect
10	Once the printer connect successfully, the printer connected notification will pop up and a test print ticket will be automatically printed

Important:
Connect the printer using a USB cable first. If USB is already in use (only one printer can connect via USB per terminal), use Wi-Fi instead. Bluetooth should be used only as a last option.

Step	Process	Image
1	Remove the printer from the box, remove the bottom panel of the printer, plug in the power cord to the bottom of the printer, then plug in the power cord to a power outlet. USB Cord Connection When connecting via USB, plug the USB-B cable into the bottom of the printer and connect the other end to the base of the POS terminal.
2	From the Otter POS terminal Home Screen, select the [Profile Icon 👤] at the top right of the screen, then select the Settings from the drop down options.
3	Select the [Hardware] tab within Settings.
4	Select [Add Printer].
5	Select a printer connection option from this screen: Add Otter Provided Printer Use this option for bluetooth printers shipped to customer from Otter Add My Own Printer Use this option for BYOD bluetooth printers that the customer did not receive directly from Otter Check this list of compatible printers to ensure the BYOD printer will pair successfully
6	QR code scanning If using the QR code setup, instruct the customer to scan the QR code located on the underside on the Otter printer to automatically detect which printer type is being connected! QR codes are located on the underside of Otter-shipped printers. BYOD devices do not include QR codes.
7	Follow the on-screen guide to plug in the printer, turn it on, load paper, and connect it to the Otter tablet. The guide includes a video walkthrough. Select [Next] to continue through the steps.
8	The Bluetooth setup screen automatically scans for nearby compatible printers. When a printer appears, select it from the list.
9	Wait for printer to connect.
10	Once the printer connect successfully, the printer connected notification will pop up and a test print ticket will be automatically printed.

Connecting a Bluetooth Printer via Bluetooth

Use bluetooth connection on Otter POS Terminals & Order Manager Tablets when USB pairing is not possible. This is the least stable connection type, so only use bluetooth when absolutely necessary.

Step	Process	Image
1	Prepare Printer: Connect the printer to power and ensure receipt paper is loaded.
2	Enter Pairing Mode: Open the top cover. Press and hold the Feed button while powering on, or while the printer is on, until the Paper light flashes.
3	Print Status Sheet: Close the top cover. The printer will print a status sheet.
4	Activate Pairing: Briefly press the Feed button once (<1 sec), then hold the Feed button for at least 1 second. A Bluetooth status sheet will print, and the Bluetooth light will flash.
5	Pair Device: Open the Bluetooth settings on your tablet or phone and select the printer (e.g., “TM-m30III_XXXXXX”).
6	Complete Setup: Open your POS app and select the printer in the hardware settings.

Setup TM-L100 printer with bluetooth.jfif

Step	Process	Image
1	Choose the TM-l100 as your printer model.
2	After selecting the model, the setup will redirect to the Setup with Bluetooth page. Click Next to continue.
3	Install paper, then click Next.
4	Plug in the printer, then click Connect.
5	Wait for app to search nearby printers and select TM-l100 from the printer search result list.
6	Wait for printer to connect.
7	Once the printer connects successfully, the printer connected notification will pop up and a test ticket will be automatically printed
8	Adjust ticket settings Toggle ON Station Ticket Toggle OFF Customer Ticket Select Paper type = 80mm

Connecting a Bluetooth Printer via Wifi

The Epson TM-M30iii (“33”) printer can connect via Wi-Fi if USB is already in use, as Otter POS terminals can only support one USB-connected printer at a time

Step	Process	Image
1	When you connect the printer to power & turn it on, the device will print out a QR code. The QR code can take up to 1 minute to print out. Wait until the QR code prints out without disconnecting it from power.
2	Scan the QR code with a mobile device in the photos app. Click on the link below the QR code.
3	Connect Mobile Device to Printer’s Network: Click Join to join the printer’s wifi network.
4	A second QR code ticket will print. Scan the second QR code using a mobile device.
5	A new page will open to the Epson printer settings web page. Click the Wifi option.
6	Navigate to wifi settings and choose your network.
7	Enter the wifi password. Incorrect Wifi Password Error: If the wrong Wi-Fi password is entered, an error ticket will print saying “Check Network Connection: Fail.” Restart the Wi-Fi setup and enter the correct password.
8	The printer will reboot and show a steady blue Wi-Fi light. Once the blue Wi-Fi light is on, the printer is available as a network printer on the POS.
9	Go into the Otter POS Hardware Settings. Continue to pair a new printer. Choose to pair with Wifi. Connect printer with Wifi.