Setting Up Web Printing for Tapito

Tapito allows you to seamlessly print bills and KOT receipts directly from your web browser to any thermal receipt printer. Due to modern browser security restrictions, websites cannot communicate directly with local hardware (like USB printers) out of the box.

To bridge this connection, Tapito uses a lightweight, open-source background utility called QZ Tray.

Follow this quick guide to configure your printer on Windows, Mac, or Linux to print instantly from the Tapito web dashboard!

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Step 1: Install Your Printer Driver

Before Tapito can use the printer, your computer's operating system needs to recognize it.

Windows

1. Plug your thermal printer into your PC via USB and turn it on.
2. Insert the CD that came with your printer, or download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website.
3. Run the installer and follow the Setup Wizard.
4. Head to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, click your new printer, and select Print a test page to verify your computer can talk to it natively.

Mac / macOS

1. Connect your thermal printer via USB and turn it on.
2. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
3. Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax... button.
4. Select your thermal printer from the list. If MacOS prompts you for software, choose the specific driver provided by the manufacturer (or a "Generic Thermal Printer" driver).

Linux

1. Connect your printer via USB.
2. Open your terminal and install CUPS if you haven't already (sudo apt install cups).
3. Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:631 to access the CUPS web interface.
4. Go to Administration -> Add Printer and select your USB thermal printer. If you don't have a specific manufacturer PPD, mapping it to a Raw printer usually works perfectly for ESC/POS printing!

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Step 2: Install QZ Tray

QZ Tray is the magic software that securely routes print commands from your browser directly to your newly installed printer driver, bypassing the annoying browser print preview boxes!

1. Download QZ Tray for your operating system from the official website: https://qz.io/download/
2. Run the downloaded installer. Note: QZ Tray requires Java. If your computer doesn't have it, the installer will conveniently prompt you to download and install it.
3. Once completed, Launch QZ Tray from your applications folder/start menu.
4. You should now see a small, green QZ icon running in your system tray (bottom-right on Windows, top-right menu bar on Mac).

(Keep this running in the background while using Tapito!)

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Step 3: Connect and Print in Tapito!

Now that your OS and QZ Tray are ready, connecting Tapito takes just seconds.

1. Open your Tapito web dashboard in your browser.
2. Navigate to the Printer Settings screen from the Admin menu.
3. Security Popup: If it's your first time connecting, a security alert from QZ Tray will appear.

4. Security Popup: Because it is your first time connecting, a security alert from QZ Tray will appear on your screen asking for permission to communicate with your local machine.

   • Check the box labeled "Remember this decision".
   • Click Allow.

5. The dropdown list will instantly populate with all the printers installed on your computer.

6. Select the thermal printer you installed in Step 1.

7. Click Test Print to verify!

You're done! Tapito will now send beautifully formatted, perfectly-sized raw hardware commands straight to your thermal printer every time you confirm an order.