Restaurant Order Printing Guide
3 Ways to Automatically Print Online Orders to a Kitchen Printer
Restaurants can automatically print online orders to a kitchen printer in three main ways: through an existing POS system, a local ordering app, or a compatible cloud printing service.
Choose a method that fits how your restaurant takes and manages orders. A café using QR code ordering may need a different setup from a restaurant with an established POS system or a delivery-focused kitchen.
Start with the ordering system you already use. Below, we explain how each method works and when to choose it.
1 Method 1: Print Online Orders Through Your POS System
How it works:
When a customer places an online order, the POS receives it and sends a kitchen ticket to the configured printer according to its printing rules.
If the POS supports kitchen routing, food orders can go to the cooking station while drink orders go to the bar. Staff can manage dine-in and online orders through the same system.
Before choosing this method, confirm two things:
- ●Your POS can receive orders from the online ordering channels you use.
- ●It supports automatic kitchen printing with your selected printer.
For restaurants with an existing compatible POS, this is usually the simplest starting point. There is little reason to introduce another printing service if the current system already handles the job.
2 Method 2: Print Online Orders Through an Ordering App
How it works:
You can print online orders directly from a restaurant or food delivery ordering app running on a tablet, smartphone, or computer, provided the app supports your printer.
For example, a small café may use a tablet to manage QR code orders. When a customer orders coffee and a sandwich, the app sends a preparation ticket to the connected printer without staff manually initiating printing.
Some systems use a local print agent running on a computer or small device instead of a mobile app. The principle is similar: local software forwards print jobs to the printer.
A traditional POS is not required for this method. However, some platforms require the ordering app or local print service to remain running and connected.
Always check the platform's supported printer models and connection methods before purchasing hardware.
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Best Receipt Printers for Tablet POS Systems3 Method 3: Print Online Orders Through a Cloud Printing Service
How it works:
The ordering platform sends print jobs through a supported cloud connection to the kitchen cloud printer. The printer connects to the internet via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or a mobile network such as 4G, depending on the model.
No local tablet or computer needs to forward the print jobs. Staff can still use the platform’s app or dashboard to manage orders.
HPRT Kitchen Printers for Automatic Online Order Printing
Once you've chosen the printing method, select hardware that fits the connection requirements and kitchen environment.
HPRT offers a wide range of thermal receipt and order printers for restaurants of all sizes, supporting workflows from café drink preparation to takeaway orders and multi-station kitchen operations. Here are two of our best-selling restaurant receipt printer models.
HPRT KP806C: Rugged Kitchen Printer for POS and Online Orders
The HPRT KP806C is a rugged 80mm thermal kitchen receipt printer built for durability and dependable everyday performance in demanding restaurant environments. It is well suited to busy kitchens, bar stations, and quick-service restaurants.
- Kitchen-ready design: Water, dust, and oil-fume protection, with wall-mounting to save counter space.
- Fast, clear ticket printing: Prints at up to 250 mm/s with a jam-free rotary cutter, producing crisp, easy-to-read food and beverage orders.
- Reliable ticket handling: Sound and light alerts, paper-taking detection, and error reprinting help reduce missed orders.
- Flexible connectivity: Standard USB and Ethernet, with optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Consider the KP806C for a fixed kitchen order printer that works with a supported POS or ordering app and offers several connection options.
HPRT TP80NY: Cloud Receipt Printer for Automatic Online Order Printing
The HPRT TP80NY is an 80mm thermal cloud receipt printer for small to medium takeaway shops, delivery kitchens, and chain restaurants.
Connected to Hanin Cloud and a compatible ordering platform, it automatically prints delivery orders, pickup receipts, and kitchen order tickets as they come in — no manual steps needed. There's no need for a dedicated POS terminal, either. That means lower hardware costs and no more missed orders when a local device goes down.
Voice alerts and an automatic cutter help staff manage orders during busy hours. Optional Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 4G, and automatic network switching provide flexible connectivity for different restaurant setups.
Consider the TP80NY cloud printer if your ordering provider supports its cloud integration and you want to reduce reliance on a local print-relay device.
Final Thoughts
Automatically printing online orders is less about choosing the most advanced printer and more about finding a setup that works with your existing ordering system.
Before committing to any hardware, take three practical steps:
- 1. Confirm compatibility first. Ask your POS or ordering platform provider for its list of supported printer models and connection methods — not every printer works with every platform.
- 2. Plan for your kitchen environment. Busy kitchens need printers designed to handle moisture, dust, and oil fumes, with clear alerts that help staff notice incoming orders during rush hours.
- 3. Think about growth. If you plan to add kitchen stations, ordering channels, or new locations, check whether your POS or cloud printing platform supports multiple printers and order-routing rules.
For restaurants and POS system integrators exploring different kitchen printing setups, HPRT offers kitchen and cloud receipt printers for a range of connectivity and deployment needs. Explore the HPRT POS Printer range to find a model that fits your ordering workflow.
Not sure which printer fits your kitchen setup?
