Setting up your printer for Bustle consists of 2 steps:
Preparing the printer for connecting – get the printer plugged in, powered on, and ready for your network. If not already done, click this button, then return.
Connecting the printer to Bustle – link the printer inside the Bustle app so it can start printing orders. Let's do this now!
Connect the Printer to Bustle
Once your printer is powered on and connected (via ethernet, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), follow these steps to link it with Bustle on your iPad.
Step-by-Step Setup
NB: If you have multiple printers, make sure you set up the printer with your cash drawer attached as the first in the list.
Open the Bustle Till app on your iPad.
Tap Settings in the top right corner.
Select Printers from the menu.
Tap Add Printer (or choose an existing one to re-configure).
Tap Active
Select your printer brand and model (Star or Epson) by pressing Printer.
Give your printer a name (e.g. “Cashier” or “Kitchen”).
Tap Search for Printers 🔍.
If your printer appears, tap to select it.
If it doesn’t appear, see the troubleshooting section below.
Assign which menu sections print to this printer (e.g. Coffee Bar, Kitchen).
Adjust printer settings:
Receipt Printing – toggle on if this printer should print receipts.
Cash Drawer – toggle on if you have a drawer attached.
Font Size – choose Small, Medium, or Large for your dockets.
Tap Test Print 🖨️ (or Open Cash Drawer if enabled) to make sure everything is working.
Permission for Bustle to access your network
While setting up you printer or printing for the first time after a reinstall of Bustle, you may me prompted to allow access for Bustle to your local network. Click OK or you will not be able to print from Bustle.
Should you have selected Don't Allow by error, check out this article on how to get it fixed up.
Troubleshooting
Printer not found?
Make sure your iPad is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer/router, or that you have successfully paired the printer if Bluetooth or Wi-fi.
Restart the printer and try again.
Printer found but not test printing
Some Epson Printers need you to re-select the Printer model after searching and finding it. Press the Printer button again and re-select Epson Thermal Printer - then try the test print again
Ensure Bustle has been given permission to access your printer. check out this article to fix
If it’s an older Epson that’s been used elsewhere, you may need to reset it to factory settings and follow Epson’s setup guide. (usually for TM-T82ii models)
Still stuck? Reach out to the Bustle Support team - we’ll help get you printing.
Please note that if you are on our Small plan, your account is limited to one printer and a single docket per order.
Here is a link to our main Unable to Print article which may help if the above hasn't got you merrily printing away.
Printing Options
Let’s look at the options on the main screen of Settings > Printers.
These three settings determine whether you are prompted for printing orders and receipts when paying or closing a tab window. Orders = Kitchen/bar/coffee order dockets. Receipts = Customer GST receipts
Group Items By Section: This setting determines whether you group printed orders based on your menu sections (best for dining courses), or if you print orders based on how the items are entered on the order.
Card Button opens Cash Drawer: This setting determines whether the cash draw pops when you select Card as the payment type.
Menu sections not set up to print: This area will show you any sections from the menu that aren’t allocated to a printer. If any sections are showing here then no items from that section will print for orders. These sections are added under the individual printers settings (No. 6 below)