A Guide to Ticket Printers
Choosing a ticket printer starts with understanding your operation. A small theater, a busy attraction and a mobile admission station have different requirements. Printing speed matters, but ticket stock, software compatibility, media storage and counter space are equally important.
Online River’s ticket printer range includes BOCA Lemur models, portable thermal printers and equipment for smaller production runs. Each offers a different combination of size, media handling and connectivity.
How Thermal Ticket Printers Work
Direct thermal printers use heat to produce text, graphics and barcodes on compatible thermal stock. They do not require ink or toner, making them practical for tickets, receipts, wristbands and labels.
The printer and media must work together. Ticket width, thickness, perforations and feed format should match the selected configuration. Before purchasing, confirm compatibility with your ticket stock and software.
Choosing the Right Model
Lemur C: Smaller Ticketing Operations
The Lemur C offers 203 DPI resolution, an external ticket supply and adjustable support for ticket widths from 2 to 3.25 inches. An automatic cutter is optional. Its compact format makes it an option for smaller venues and ticket counters.
Lemur S: High-Volume Printing with Storage
The Lemur S prints at speeds up to 10 inches per second and includes built-in storage for fanfold ticket stock. Available resolutions include 203 or 300 DPI, with an optional 600 DPI upgrade. It suits operations that need fast printing and a contained media supply.
Lemur X: Compact Installations
The Lemur X measures approximately 3.5 inches high, 4.32 inches wide and 5.5 inches deep. It accepts externally fed roll or fanfold media for compatible ticket and wristband applications. Allow additional space for the media supply when planning an installation.
Standard Lemur: Flexible Counter Positioning
The standard Lemur supports horizontal or vertical positioning and uses externally fed fanfold tickets. Resolution options, an optional automatic cutter and an optional LCD display allow the configuration to be matched to the application.
Lemur 2 and Lemur 2P: Two Media Paths
The Lemur 2 and Lemur 2P provide two media paths for operations using different compatible ticket, wristband or label supplies. The Lemur 2 uses external stock, while the Lemur 2P offers storage in a horizontal desktop format. Confirm how your software selects each media path.
Mobile Thermal Printer: Printing at the Point of Service
Online River’s Mobile Thermal Printer supports compatible thermal media up to four inches wide and includes a rechargeable battery. Cabled or Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity is available depending on configuration, supporting printing away from a fixed workstation.
What to Check Before Ordering
Peak workload. Base your selection on your busiest admission period. A venue issuing most tickets shortly before an event may need more capacity than its daily total suggests. Speeds stated in inches per second describe media movement; actual output also depends on ticket length, cutting, software response and handling.
Print quality. Choose resolution around the ticket design. Small text, detailed graphics and compact barcodes should be tested on representative stock. Check printed codes with the scanner used at entry.
Software and connections. Confirm the operating system, driver and ticketing application. USB and serial connections are listed across the Lemur range, while Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are options on selected configurations. Specify the connection you need when ordering.
Media handling. Consider where stock will sit, how staff will reload it and where finished tickets will collect. An external supply requires space beyond the printer’s housing. Cutters, displays and output hoppers may be optional.
Printing versus validation. A printed barcode carries information. Ticket validity, admission rules and duplicate-use handling depend on the connected ticketing and validation system.
Compare the Complete System
Include media, optional interfaces, cutters, software requirements and maintenance when comparing costs. Also confirm the printing technology: Online River’s Low Volume Printer is described as a ribbon-based card-production system, with different consumables and output from a direct thermal paper-ticket printer.
For a useful product discussion, prepare your ticket dimensions, a sample design, expected peak volume and software details. These help identify the appropriate printer and options.
Browse Online River’s ticket printers, or call 203-801-5900 to discuss your application and request a quote.