> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dishink.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Kitchen Printers

> Paper kitchen tickets routed by category or station.

Kitchen printers deliver paper tickets in kitchens where a KDS is not used, or as a fallback to KDS screens. Different from receipt printers — they print orders, not bills.

## Overview

Kitchen printer routing:

* Route by category (drinks → bar printer, food → kitchen printer)
* Route by station (grill, fry, prep) — same logic as KDS station view
* Automatic reprint if not acknowledged within N minutes

## Set up a kitchen printer

<Frame caption="Kitchen printer routing">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/printing/kitchen.png" alt="Kitchen printer" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  Kitchen printers complement, not replace, the KDS. Many venues use both — printer as a paper backup.
</Note>

## Tips & best practices

<Tip>
  Set the auto-reprint interval to 3 minutes. Rare but critical for busy kitchens where a paper ticket falls off the pass.
</Tip>

## Common mistakes

<Warning>
  Do not run kitchen printer only — use it alongside a KDS. Paper is lossy; screens don't lose tickets.
</Warning>

## Related pages

* [Network Printers](/printing/network-printers)
* [KDS: Receiving Orders](/kds/receiving-orders)
* [Categories](/menu/categories)