Setting up your first Bluetooth printer in EtiquetaChef

EtiquetaChef prints to Bluetooth thermal printers that use the TSPL protocol. Other protocols (CPCL, ESC/POS, ZPL) are available on request — talk to our sales team. This guide covers the most common path — you bought a printer, you want to print the first label today.

Before buying — what to check

Not every Bluetooth thermal printer works. Confirm before:

1. Bluetooth the way your device uses it — on Android the connection is Bluetooth Classic (SPP); on iPhone and iPad it is Bluetooth LE (GATT). Check the datasheet to make sure the model has what your device needs — many models have both.
2. TSPL protocol declared in the manual or datasheet. Some brands support more than one — what matters is that TSPL is among them.
3. Roll width — 40 mm or 60 mm are the most common. Decide before buying loose labels.
4. Resolution — 203 dpi (8 dots/mm) is the standard. 300 dpi improves thin barcodes but is more expensive.

Popular models on the market:

• Argox PT-280 (TSPL) — good cost/benefit ratio.
• TSC Alpha-30L (TSPL) — popular in food service.
• Generic Chinese TSPL printers — they work, but quality varies a lot. Confirm TSPL before buying.

Pairing with the phone

1. Turn the printer on and hold the pairing button (check the manual — usually “PWR” + “FEED” together).
2. On Android, open Settings → Bluetooth.
3. The device appears as “PT-280-XX” (or the model name). Tap to pair.
4. Confirm the code (usually 0000 or 1234).
5. On iPhone and iPad there is no need to pair in Settings: skip the steps above — the app finds the printer over Bluetooth LE in the next step.

Connecting in EtiquetaChef

1. Open the EtiquetaChef app.
2. Go to Settings → Printers.
3. Tap Add printer.
4. The app lists paired Bluetooth devices — pick yours.
5. Select the TSPL protocol.
6. Set width (40 or 60 mm) and resolution (203 dpi default).
7. Tap Print test — if a label comes out with a basic layout, it is working.

Most common issues

Label comes out blank

The thermal head needs the right paper. Regular laser printer label does not work. Use direct thermal paper, per the printer spec.

Label comes out with cut text

The configured width does not match the physical roll. Check in Settings → Printers the “Width” value and adjust.

Does not connect after pairing

Some printers “forget” the pairing if they stay off too long. Repeat step 1 (pairing mode) and redo it.

Prints garbled characters instead of the label

The printer is probably in another mode (ESC/POS, for example). If it supports more than one protocol, it must be set to TSPL in firmware (physical DIP switches or via the manufacturer’s software). EtiquetaChef sends its commands in TSPL.

Next steps

With the printer working, you are ready to:

• Register products with shelf life rules.
• Import EAN via barcode reader (camera or dedicated Bluetooth scanner).
• Print in batch — pick 10 products and queue them.

If you get stuck on any step, email our contact page with the printer brand and model — we usually already have the working configuration.