DP-48A 58mm thermal printer module

Product detailed description

The DP-48A Thermal Printer Module is a compact printing module for 58 mm wide thermal paper. It prints at a speed of 60 mm/s with a resolution of 203 dpi and, thanks to compatibility with the ESC/POS command set, can handle barcodes, QR codes and simple graphics in addition to text. You can use it in cash registers, ticket machines, kiosks or in your own DIY projects with Arduino or ESP32 where you need to print receipts, labels and tickets.

The module features an installed RS232 connector, and a connection cable is included in the package. UART is also available, but without a populated connector – to connect to a microcontroller, you will need to solder a JST-PH 2.0 mm connector (5 pins) and use the corresponding cable. We have tested the printer via UART; the library and test code are functional and can be found in the related files.

Specifications:

• Printing method: direct thermal printing (black and white)
• Print speed: 60 mm/s
• Resolution: 203 dpi (8 dots/mm, 384 dots per line)
• Print width: 48 mm
• Fonts: 12×24 (ASCII), 24×24 (GB18030), scaling 1× to 8× in height and width
• Command set: ESC/POS compatible
• Barcode and QR codes: EAN13, EAN8, CODE39, CODE93, CODE128, ITF, CODABAR, UPC-A, UPC-E, QR
• Print buffer: 2 kB
• Paper:
  • Type: thermal paper (roll)
  • Width: 57.5 ± 0.5 mm
  • Thickness: 0.05–0.10 mm
  • Replacement and tearing: manual, with out-of-paper detection
• Interface:
  • RS232: 9600 Bd, 8N1, connector populated, cable included
  • UART (TTL): 9600 Bd, 8N1, pins without populated connector (JST-PH 2.0 mm, 5 pin)
  • Line terminator: LF (0x0A)
• Power Supply:
  • Supply voltage: 5–9 V DC (optimally 7.4 V)
  • Current consumption: typically approx. 1.5 A, max. 3 A peak (graphics printing)
• Dimensions:
  • Module: 70 × 50 × 20 mm
• Print head lifespan: approx. 50 km of paper
• Environment:
  • Operating temperature: 5–50 °C
  • Operating humidity: 10–80 %
  • Storage temperature: −20 to 60 °C
  • Storage humidity: 10–90 %
• Recommended accessories for UART:
  • JST-PH 2.0 mm connector for PCB (5 pin)
  • JST-PH 2.0 mm 5pin connector with 20cm wires

Important wiring notice:

• Do not connect a microcontroller to the RS232 connector. This connector uses RS232 levels (±12 V), not TTL. Direct connection to Arduino or ESP32 pins will not work; the onboard converter will overheat and the printer will enter current limiting mode. To connect to a microcontroller, use the UART pins; for a computer connection, use a USB↔RS232 converter.
• Set the right UART speed: 9600 Bd, 8N1. Examples in the Adafruit Thermal Printer Library often use 19200 Bd – if the baud rate is incorrect, the printer will print gibberish or not respond.
• Deal with the power supply separately. The printer needs a 5–9 V power source that can handle peaks up to 3 A. Power from a computer USB port or the 5V pin of a development board is not enough – this will lead to missing, pale, or garbled print and restarts. Tie the ground (GND) of the power source and the microcontroller together.
• Use thermal paper and the right side of the roll. The printer will not print anything on ordinary paper. If the print stays blank after putting in a new roll, flip the roll.
• Test the printer independently. By holding the feed button while powering on, you can print a test page – this allows you to verify the mechanics and paper before configuring the communication.
• You can find verified test code and a link to the library in the related files for this product.

Package contents:

• 1× DP-48A 58mm Thermal Printer Module
• 1× RS232 connection cable

Note:

• This product is not a standalone functional unit and may require professional installation.
• Product images are for illustrative purposes only and may sometimes differ from the actual appearance of the item. However, this does not change their basic properties.