> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.duitpos.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Print Templates
> Design what appears on receipts, kitchen dockets, and labels.
**Print Templates** define the layout and content of printed documents — customer receipts, kitchen order dockets, shipping labels, and more. You can create multiple templates and assign them to different printers via [Routing Rules](/features/printers#routing-rules). A template uses **control codes** (formatting) and **variables** (dynamic values) to create repeatable, data-driven output.
## Template Types and Device Pairing
Each template has a type that determines which printer device types can use it:
| Type | Purpose | Compatible Device Types | Example |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Receipt** | Customer-facing receipt printed after payment or order confirmation | POS, Kiosk | Standard sales receipt, invoice copy, order summary |
| **Kitchen** | Order docket sent to kitchen or bar when an order is placed | KDS | Kitchen ticket, bar chit, expo sheet |
| **Label** | Product label or shipping label | Label Printer | Item sticker, barcode label |
When you create a routing rule and select a printer device, only templates of the matching type appear in the template dropdown. For example, a KDS (kitchen display) printer can only use Kitchen templates.
## Template Fields
| Field | Required | Description |
| -------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name** | Yes | Internal label, e.g. `Standard Receipt`, `Dine-In Kitchen Ticket`, `Delivery Label` |
| **Type** | Yes | Receipt, Kitchen, or Label — determines which printer device types can use this template |
| **Header** | No | Text printed at the top (business name, address, tagline, logo). Use control codes for formatting. |
| **Line Items** | Auto | Product name, quantity, price. Automatically formatted and populated from the ticket. |
| **Footer** | No | Text printed at the bottom (thank you message, WiFi password, return policy, QR code). Use control codes and variables. |
| **Default** | No | If toggled on, this template is the fallback when a routing rule doesn't specify a template override |
## Control Codes
Control codes are special directives that format the output. Insert them directly into your header or footer text:
| Code | Effect | Notes |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `` | Center the following text | Remains in effect until next alignment code. Use sparingly on narrow (58mm) paper. |
| `` | Left-align the following text | Default alignment. Use to reset after `` or ``. |
| `` | Right-align the following text | Useful for prices and totals. |
| `` | Alternate font (if printer supports it) | Usually switches to a serif or alternative font. Check printer manual. |
| `` | Emphasis / Bold | Makes text bold. Not all thermal printers support bold; test on your device. |
| `` | Double-width / Expanded | Increases character width. Useful for large headings and prices. Reduces characters per line. |
| `` | Print business logo | Must be uploaded via Manage → Settings. Printer must support image printing. |
| `` | Print column headers for line items | Prints something like "Item Qty Price". Exact format depends on template context. |
| `` | Print a QR code | Used in kitchen tickets or customer receipts to link to order status or reorder page. Backend inserts the URL. |
| `
` or line break | Line break / Blank line | Press Enter to create space in the output. Multiple line breaks create multiple blank lines. |
### Control Code Example
```
PIZZA PLACE
123 Main Street
Order #{{ticket_number}}
Date: {{date}}
```
Output (on 58mm paper):
```
PIZZA PLACE
123 Main Street
Order #12345
Date: 2025-07-18
Item Qty Price
```
**Test on your actual printer.** Template previews in the editor use screen fonts; thermal printers have different character sets and line widths. What looks centered on screen may not center on the printer. Create a test order and use **Test Print** to verify the layout before deploying to production.
## Variables
Variables are placeholders that the system replaces with actual data when printing. Insert them in double braces: `{{variable_name}}`.
### Common Variables (All Templates)
| Variable | Value | Example |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------- |
| `{{ticket_number}}` | Unique order/ticket ID | `12345` |
| `{{date}}` | Print date (YYYY-MM-DD format) | `2025-07-18` |
| `{{time}}` | Print time (HH:MM:SS) | `14:30:45` |
| `{{business_name}}` | Your business/restaurant name | `Pizza Palace` |
| `{{location_name}}` | Location branch name | `Downtown` |
| `{{location_address}}` | Full location address | `123 Main St, City` |
| `{{total}}` | Order total (currency format) | `$25.50` |
| `{{subtotal}}` | Subtotal before tax | `$23.50` |
| `{{tax}}` | Total tax amount | `$2.00` |
| `{{discount}}` | Total discount applied | `$5.00` |
| `{{cashier_name}}` or `{{user}}` | Staff member who processed the order | `John` |
### Receipt-Specific Variables
| Variable | Value |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `{{order_mode}}` | Type of order: Dine-In, Delivery, Pickup, etc. |
| `{{payment_method}}` | Payment type used: Cash, Card, etc. |
| `{{customer_name}}` | Customer name (if provided) |
| `{{order_notes}}` | Special instructions or notes on the order |
| `{{tax_breakdown}}` | Itemized tax if multiple tax rates applied |
### Kitchen Ticket Variables
| Variable | Value |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `{{order_mode}}` | Dine-In, Delivery, Pickup, etc. |
| `{{table_number}}` | Table ID (for dine-in orders) |
| `{{prepared_by}}` | (Optional) Staff assigned to prepare this ticket |
| `{{order_time}}` | When the order was placed |
| `{{special_instructions}}` | Customer notes and dietary requirements |
### Label-Specific Variables
| Variable | Value |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| `{{product_name}}` | Item name |
| `{{product_code}}` | SKU or internal product ID |
| `{{quantity}}` | Units on this label |
| `{{expiry_date}}` | Product expiry (if applicable) |
Not all variables apply to all template types. For example, `{{table_number}}` is only available in Kitchen templates. The template editor sidebar shows available variables for your selected template type. If a variable is empty (e.g., no customer name was entered), it prints as blank.
## Create a Template
Click **Print Templates** in the left sidebar.
Select the template **Type** (Receipt, Kitchen, or Label) and give it a **Name**.
Use the editor to write header text, configure line item display, and add footer content. Use control codes for formatting and variables for dynamic data. The right sidebar shows available variables and control codes for your template type.
Toggle **Default** to use this template as the fallback when no routing rule specifies an override.
Click **Create**.
## Assign to Printers via Routing Rules
Go to **Manage → Printers → Routing Rules** and assign a template to a routing rule. This controls which template prints on which printer, and for which items or order modes. For example:
* Route all dine-in orders to a receipt printer with the "Dine-In Receipt" template.
* Route all appetizers to the kitchen display with the "Appetizers Chit" template.
* Route all beverages to a different display with the "Bar Ticket" template.
Each rule can have a template override. If no override is set, the printer's default template (set when the printer was created) is used.
If you delete a template that is currently assigned to a routing rule, that routing rule will fall back to the printer's default template for that type. Check your routing rules after deleting any template to verify the output is still correct.
## Test Print
On the template list, hover over a template and click the **Test Print** icon to send a sample output to the printer assigned as your default for that template type. This is the best way to verify layout and formatting on your actual hardware before going live.
## Frequently Asked Questions
Upload your logo under **Manage → Settings → Logo**. Once uploaded, use the `` control code in the template header section to include it on printed receipts. Logo printing requires a printer that supports image printing (most modern thermal printers do). Test print to confirm your printer can render it.
Yes. Create two receipt templates (e.g. `Online Order Receipt` and `Dine-In Receipt`) and set up separate routing rules in **Printers → Routing Rules** — one targeting Dine-In order mode and one targeting Delivery/Pickup. Assign the appropriate template to each rule. The same receipt printer device can use different templates based on the rule.
**Control codes** (``, ``, ``, etc.) format the text itself — bold, centered, double-width, etc. **Variables** (`{{ticket_number}}`, `{{date}}`, etc.) are replaced with actual data at print time. You can use both together: `Order #{{ticket_number}}` creates a centered, bold order number.
The editor preview uses your screen's fonts; thermal printers have different character sets and line widths. What looks good on screen may wrap differently on paper. For 58mm paper, assume \~32–40 characters per line; for 80mm, \~48–54 characters. Use **Test Print** on your actual device and adjust line breaks or text length as needed. Also check: printer supports the font/control codes, paper width matches the template design.
Yes, use the `` control code. The system automatically generates a QR code (typically linking to order status or reorder URL) and prints it on the receipt or ticket. Your printer must support image printing. Test print to confirm the QR code scans correctly on your hardware.
## Related
Set up printer devices and routing rules that use these templates
Upload your business logo and configure global settings
Configure address details and other location info that variables pull from
Diagnose and troubleshoot printer issues