The Epson TM-T88V is a highly reliable and easy to use POS printer that meets the strict ENERGYSTAR® guidelines set by the European Commission. This means that it is not only better for your budget, but it is also better for the environment.

Fully compatible with Hike, the Epson TM-T88V provides a fast and efficient receipt printing solution for all your retail needs, and best of all its fully compatible with Hike POS!
This article can also be used for the other TM series printers such as EPSON TM-T82II and EPSON TM-M30.

Here we’ll go through exactly how to connect your Epson TM-T88V printer for your Windows PC, but first you must ensure that you have:

• Power Cable
  
• Receipt Paper – 80mm receipt rolls. Load your receipt rolls by opening the latch on the top-right of the printer, place the roll inside, and pull some of the paper through before closing the lid.
  
• Ethernet Cable
  
• Cash Drawer (Optional)
  

Note: There are four steps to complete before you can successfully print receipts off your Epson printer:

• DHCP Set-Up
  
• Downloading your Epson TM-T88V Printer Driver
  
• Installing your Epson TM-T88V Printer on a Windows PC
  
• Printing a Receipt on Hike POS with Epson TM-T88V Printer
  

DHCP Set-Up

Unfortunately, Epson printers aren't configured to automatically connect to your network. Instead, you will need to change the network settings on your computer by configuring DHCP.

It can be a little bit daunting, particularly if you aren't that confident when it comes to technology. If you have a friend or family member who is, we recommend asking them to take a look for you, to ensure that you have set up DHCP correctly.

Once your DHCP is set up (and you are breathing a sigh of relief!), you will need to create a test receipt as this contains the IP address you will need later.

To get this, hold down the push button on the back of the printer for approximately 4 seconds. Then printer should come to life, printing out the network settings, with an IP address clearly listed up the top of the text.

Note: If the IP address on the settings receipt says NONE, then your printer is not properly connected to the internet. Quickly check the cable connecting the printer and the router as it can sometimes come loose, and then try again.

Downloading your Epson TM-T88V Printer Driver

Printer software, otherwise known as drivers, are essential for your PC to be able to communicate with your Epson printer. Once it has been installed, you will be able to print receipts directly from Hike.

First you will need to visit the Epson website which can you do from this link:

https://download.epson-biz.com/modules/pos/index.php?page=prod&pcat=3&pid=36

Select Windows Printer Driver.

Next, click on the Download Page on the latest files, and simply scroll down and click to confirm the download.

Note: You will see the download progressing in the left-hand corner of the window.

Once the download has finished, right-click on the file and select the option Extract All.

Note: Your downloaded files will appear in your File Explorer. You can either select Downloads from the Explorer screen, or click on the arrow that appears at the bottom of your browser, once it has finished downloading, and select Show in Folder.

Once you have extracted the file, a folder will automatically open. Double click on the install file, and follow the instructions.

Installing your Epson TM-T88V Printer on a Windows PC

Once you have completed the installation of the driver, you will need to install the printer on your Windows PC so that it recognizes it.

Navigate to Program Files (x86) > EPSON > EPSON Advanced Printer Driver 5 > and select PrinterReg.

Alternatively, you can just search for it on your computer by entering PrinterReg, using the Search Apps function.

Once this is open, you will be taken to the printer setup screen, where you need to put in the following information:

Model: Choose Epson TM-T88V

Once you have filled out the fields listed above, click Save Settings and another test receipt will print out to confirm that everything has been set up correctly.

Printing a Receipt on Hike POS with Epson TM-T88V Printer

Now that your Epson TM-T88V Printer has been added to your list of printer devices you can now print receipts on it.

Simply draw up a sale on your Enter New Sale screen, and conduct the payment transaction as you would do normally.

Once you have completed the transaction, you will be given the option to either Email or Print the customer a receipt. Select Print.

Note: You can also test a print by looking at your Sales History Tab in Hike POS, and Printing a previous receipt.

This will take you to the Print Preview screen. If the TM-T88V is not your default printer, select Change from the Destination field, and select the correct printer from the list.

Ensure also that you have:

• Unticked Headers & Footers
  
• Set Paper Size to Roll Paper 80 x 297 mm
• Set Margins as None.
  

Note: If you set your paper size to Roll Paper 80 x 297 mm without disabling headers and footers, the printer may not auto-cut the printed receipt.

When done, print out a receipt to check whether it’s to your liking. Of course, if you want to change your receipt template, you can do so on Hike POS as well.

Setting up your Cash Drawer

Once you have your printer connected with Hike POS, you may also want to link up a cash drawer. The cash drawer will connect to your receipt printer, and will be triggered to open when you finish a cash or check sale, while the receipt is being printed.

Tip: You can manually open the cash drawer by clicking on Open Drawer on the Enter New Sale screen.

To connect the cash drawer, plug in the RJ12 connector cable (it looks like a phone line) from the cash drawer into the Epson TM-T88V

Following this, go to Devices and Printers from your Control Panel.

Right-click on your receipt printer, select Printing Preferences and then Peripherals.

Once in here, change the peripheral unit type to Cash Drawer.

Now you will need to select End of Document and click Open on both Cash Drawer #1 and Cash Drawer #2.

Apply these settings, and test it out by performing a test sale.

Once completed, your Cash Drawer and Epson TM-T88V should be ready to go!