Routing Rules

A routing rule answers four questions: when to print (the trigger), what kind of document (the function), which orders and items (the filters), and which printer. Rules run in parallel, so one order can print a receipt at the counter, a kitchen ticket at the back and a bar slip at the bar.

Before you start

• At least one printer added.
• The Printers · Modify permission.

Steps

What happens next

• The next order that matches prints as the rule says. Changing a rule never affects orders already printed.

Edge cases

• Triggers. Order created (kitchen tickets), Order updated (reprint with changes), Processing, Order completed, Payment completed (receipts; once per order when a payment leaves it fully paid, and a part payment prints no receipt), Refund completed, Void (void slips) and Manual only. Complete on the register fires Payment completed before Order completed. A sale paid and completed at once prints one receipt, since the same order's receipt is not printed twice on one printer within 30 seconds.
• Functions. Receipt (totals, payment, change), Kitchen (items, modifiers, instructions), Bar (drink slips), Label (stickers) and Queue ("Now serving #42").
• Items filter. Each rule with its own items prints its own ticket. A category covers its sub-categories. New products in a picked category are covered automatically, but products picked one by one are not. Items no rule covers print nowhere, and a custom amount has no product or category, so add a Kitchen rule on Every item if you want a full copy somewhere. Receipts and queue tickets always print the whole order. Printing a slip yourself prints the whole order to the first printer that can take it.
• Order types. In-Store, Takeout, Pick-Up, Delivery or Service. An order must match the types and have covered items.
• Priority and failover. If the first printer fails, the next priority printer prints it, and a short message names the backup. Rules with different filters never back each other up. The printer's Default setting is separate: it is used only when no rule matches.
• All printers fail. The job goes to the print queue and prints when a printer is back.
• Editing. You can change items, order types, priority, copies and Active. To change the function or trigger, delete the rule and add another. Editing a label rule needs Advanced Printing.
• Label rules are offered to everyone but refused by the server without the Advanced Printing add-on.
• Example, restaurant. Receipt on Payment completed at Front Counter. Kitchen on Order created for Food at Kitchen Hot Line. Bar on Order created for Drinks at Bar. A sandwich and a latte print in the kitchen and at the bar.
• Example, backup. Two receipt printers at priorities 1 and 2. If A goes down, B takes over.

Works with

Related guides

• Printers Overview
• Print Queue and Status
• Printer Troubleshooting