This section provides an overview for kiosk printers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 kiosk printer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked kiosk printer companies as of November, 2024: 1.Boca Systems, 2.BIXOLON CO., LTD., 3.Kiosk Group, Inc..
Table of Contents
A KIOSK Printer refers to a dedicated operational printer incorporated into machines, including kiosk terminals.
Kiosk terminals, found in places like convenience stores, allow users to purchase tickets and perform other self-service transactions using touch panels or keypads. The definition of a KIOSK Printer is somewhat ambiguous, as it not only includes printers embedded in kiosk terminals but may also encompass industrial equipment not generally considered kiosk terminals.
In cases where specific business applications are loaded onto versatile PDAs like iPads for self-service use, PDAs fall under the category of kiosk terminals, and their accompanying external printers may be referred to as KIOSK Printers.
This explanation primarily focuses on machine-integrated printing devices used for specific purposes within information processing machines.
With the proliferation of automation and streamlining processes in society, kiosk terminals facilitating self-service ticket purchases and reception processing have become diverse. Correspondingly, the applications and target items for KIOSK Printers have also become varied.
Common examples include kiosk terminals in convenience stores. These terminals issue tickets for movies, concerts, and express buses, as well as receipts adapted for various deposit transactions. KIOSK Printers are also utilized in airport self-check-in machines for printing boarding passes and in hospital re-visit reception machines for printing medical visit tickets. Even in the broader sense of kiosk terminals, KIOSK Printers are employed in bank ATMs for printing deposit balances, deposit/withdrawal receipts, and transfer receipts.
Machines embedded with printers for illuminating product labels are also considered KIOSK Printers in the context of being integrated into information equipment.
The predominant printing method is thermal transfer, utilizing a holder for attaching roll-shaped thermal transfer paper and a cutter for cutting the printed paper. Communication with the computer inside the kiosk terminal is established using USB or LAN cables.
As KIOSK Printers operate based on signals sent from devices like kiosk terminals acting as hosts, there is no direct interface for users to interact with during printing. Communication ports for most models include USB and LAN (RJ45) connectors. However, older industrial machines may have printers equipped with serial transmission ports following the RS-232C standard.
To prevent printing issues during use in scenarios where employees may not be nearby, mechanisms are implemented. For instance, machines include sequences that respond to users pulling or holding the paper during printing.
Additionally, anticipating situations where users may leave without taking the printed material, some KIOSK Printers automatically initiate sequences to retrieve the printout if it remains unclaimed for a specified period.
Designed for integration into devices for usage, KIOSK Printers lack external aesthetics compared to general-purpose printers used in offices or homes. They are encased in metal with brackets for mounting on racks.
The thermal transfer method is commonly employed. This method uses inkless printing, eliminating the need for ink replenishment, which is a significant advantage. In some printers, such as those used for thick paper in parking ticket machines, dot impact printing is utilized.
Roll paper is often used to reduce the frequency of replacement and simplify the process. The printer's rear exterior includes a holder for setting long rolls of paper. Compatible papers for KIOSK Printers include heat-sensitive paper, thick paper, label paper, and linerless label paper (label without backing).
Printed material exits through the printer's ejection port, often integrated with the device's print material retrieval point. Some printers have LED lights at the ejection port, illuminating when print material is dispensed, notifying users. An auto-cutter is positioned just before the ejection port, automatically cutting the paper when printing is complete, making it easy for users to retrieve the printed material.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Ever since its foundation in 1979, NIPPON PRIMEX INC. has achieved the position of top dealer of mini printers in the industrial peripheral equipment field in Japan. A development and manufacturing department, NIPPON PRINTER ENGINEERING INC. was established in 1986. This department has provided high performance and reliable products both in hardware and software to our customers. All printers of NIPPON PRIMEX INC. are designed and manufactured at this factory by skillful experts. We continue developing the unique products which other companies do not offer. If you are looking for mini printers, please contact us.
Epson is a manufacturer of imaging and printing products based in Nagano, Japan. Established in 1942, the company offers a wide range of products including printers, scanners, and ink cartridges catering to both home and business users. Their printers offer fast printing speeds and various connectivity options. Apart from their printers, they produce projectors that are used for business presentations, education, and home entertainment. Their products are found in various industries, including education, healthcare, hospitality, public sector, corporate and more. The company has been honored with the prestigious TIPA Award.
Star Micronics Co. Ltd. is a ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of machine tools and card reader/writers established in Shizuoka, Japan, in 1950. The company’s product lineup includes automatic lathes for various metal cutting operations, signal conditioners for processing or converting signals, and card readers/writers for I/O operations from magnetic or smart cards and RFID tags. It also offers small printers for printing receipts or tickets from point-of-sale systems and kiosks. The company operates internationally, with subsidiaries such as Star Micronics America, Inc. and Star Micronics Europe Ltd.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Boca Systems |
27.6%
|
2 | BIXOLON CO., LTD. |
20.7%
|
3 | Kiosk Group, Inc. |
20.7%
|
4 | Nippon Primex Inc. |
17.2%
|
5 | Beijing Spirit Technology Development Co., Ltd. |
6.9%
|
6 | EPSON |
3.4%
|
7 | STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD. |
3.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the kiosk printer page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 3 | 100.0% |