Front of House Printer Setup

Overview

A Front of House printer is the printer connected and used for your Otter POS and/or Kiosk device. Depending on the printer model, determines how the printer can be connected.

Learn more about each printer model, and how to connect it.

Otter Printers are Pre-configured
Otter-provided printers are pre-configured to automatically print orders once connected to power and internet.

Supported Front of House Printer Types

Epson TM-m30II	Epson TM-m30III (Default model)

Connection Type: USB (preferred) Bluetooth	Connection Type: USB (preferred) WiFi Ethernet (if needed)

Connecting 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 via Bluetooth

Only the Epson TM-m30II printer can be connected via Bluetooth, if needed. Use bluetooth connection when USB pairing is not possible for your Otter devices.

BT Connection is Least Stable Connection
This connection type is the least stable connection for Otter POS or Kiosk— only use bluetooth connection 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-m30II_XXXXXX”).
6	Complete Setup: Open your POS app and select the printer in the hardware settings.

Connecting 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.