Setting up your first Bluetooth printer in EtiquetaChef

EtiquetaChef supports three thermal printing protocols over Bluetooth Classic (SPP): TSPL, CPCL and ESC/POS. 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 Classic (SPP) connection — do not confuse with BLE (Low Energy). Most professional printers use Classic; small personal-use label printers may use BLE, which does not work with EtiquetaChef.
2. Declared protocol in the manual or datasheet: TSPL, CPCL or ESC/POS. Some brands support more than one.
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:

• Zebra ZQ320 (CPCL/ZPL) — robust, good battery, more expensive.
• Argox PT-280 (TSPL) — good cost/benefit ratio.
• TSC Alpha-30L (TSPL) — popular in food service.
• Generic Chinese ESC/POS — they work, but quality varies a lot. Confirm protocol 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 “Zebra-XXXX” or “PT-280-XX”. Tap to pair.
4. Confirm the code (usually 0000 or 1234).

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 protocol: TSPL, CPCL or ESC/POS (per the manual).
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 ESC/POS when it should be TSPL

Each protocol has different commands. If the printer supports two protocols, it must be set to the right mode in firmware (physical DIP switches or via the manufacturer’s software). EtiquetaChef only sends what you selected in the app.

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 help@etiquetachef.com with the printer brand and model — we usually already have the working configuration.