In the competitive world of retail and customer service, getting your point of sale (POS) material right is non-negotiable. Customer experience, brand perception, and even in-store marketing are all significantly impacted by the quality of your point-of-sale printing. Regretfully, a lot of companies make the mistake of falling into common traps that reduce the effectiveness of their point-of-sale materials. This blog identifies the top 10 POS card printing mistakes and provides practical tips on how to avoid them, saving you both time and resources in the long run.

1. POS printing on the incorrect kind of paper

One of the most common mistakes in POS printing is selecting the incorrect type of paper, which can lead to poor print quality, paper jams or even damage to your printer hardware.

Using the wrong paper type can lead to faded or incomplete prints, paper jams, smudging, and even long-term damage to your printer’s internal components. For example, using standard paper in a thermal printer will result in blank receipts or unreadable prints, which can frustrate customers and delay transactions.

• Avoidance tip: Always check your printer’s specifications and invest in the right paper type. Consult with your printing supplier to ensure compatibility and efficiency, especially when printing high-volume materials like receipts or strut cards.
  
  

2. Overlooking Regular Maintenance of POS Printers

Skipping regular maintenance can lead to misaligned prints, faded text or complete printer failure. POS printers are workhorses in busy environments and accumulate dust, residue and wear over time.

• Avoidance tip: Schedule routine maintenance including cleaning the print head, checking paper feed mechanisms, and running diagnostic tests. Proper upkeep ensures consistent print quality and reduces downtime.

3. Ignoring Font Legibility and Print Size

Another frequent error is using fonts that are either too small, overly stylised, or hard to read, especially on small-scale printed materials such as receipts or strut card designs. Poor legibility frustrates customers and defeats the purpose of printed communication.

Illegible fonts not only frustrate customers but also reduce the perceived professionalism of your brand. Poor readability can lead to misunderstandings, missed offers, or even legal complications if terms and conditions aren't clearly visible.

• Avoidance tip: Choose simple, clean fonts and ensure text size is appropriate for viewing. Conduct sample print runs to confirm readability under various lighting conditions.

4. Printing Misaligned or Cropped Content

Inadequate formatting can lead to barcodes that cannot be scanned, misaligned logos, or text that has been cut off. This not only looks unprofessional but can also hinder essential functions like voucher validation or return processing.

• Avoidance tip: Always use layout templates provided by your printer manufacturer or graphic design software. Test print your POS materials before a full production run.

5. Including Too Much Information on POS Materials

Some businesses overload their POS prints with excessive text, logos or promotional content, making the design look cluttered and overwhelming for customers.

• Avoidance tip: Focus on delivering key information in a clear and concise manner. When creating strut card designs or promotional leaflets, ensure there is a balance between branding, imagery and text.

6. Failing to Update Printer Software and Drivers

Using outdated drivers or software can cause performance issues, such as lagging, incomplete prints or unsupported formats.

Keeping your software current means smoother operations, better printing accuracy, and fewer technical hiccups in day-to-day business activities.

• Avoidance tip: Regularly check for updates from your printer’s manufacturer. Automate these updates if possible, or schedule them during off-peak hours to avoid disrupting business operations.

7. Not Including Branding Elements Consistently

Inconsistency in branding across different POS materials, such as logos, colours or taglines, can create a disjointed customer experience and diminish brand recognition.

• Avoidance tip: Develop a brand guideline and ensure every POS material, from flyers to strut cards, adheres to it.

8. Using Incorrect Printer Settings

Incorrect settings such as DPI (dots per inch), page margins or barcode scaling can lead to pixelated images, cut-off content or unreadable codes. This is especially detrimental in promotional or transactional printing.

• Avoidance tip: Adjust printer settings according to the design requirements and paper type. Test print frequently and work closely with your design and print team to ensure precision.

9. Launching POS Materials Without Testing

Distributing untested POS materials can result in mass-scale errors, customer complaints or operational inefficiencies. What looks fine on screen may not translate well onto paper.

To avoid this, always perform a trial print in the actual environment where the material will be used. Evaluate factors such as legibility under different lighting conditions, colour accuracy, and durability. Gather feedback from staff or a small customer group to identify any oversights.

• Avoidance tip: Before rolling out any new POS material, perform print tests in real-world environments. Use staff feedback and customer trials to evaluate layout effectiveness and clarity.

10. Storing Paper and Materials Improperly

Improper storage of thermal paper or printed materials can degrade quality, fade text and render prints unreadable. Environmental conditions like humidity and sunlight can adversely affect print longevity.

• Avoidance tip: Store paper and printed POS materials in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use sealed containers and rotate stock to ensure older paper is used first.
  
  

Bonus Tip: Prioritise Design Consistency in POS Displays

Whether you’re printing promotional posters or compact strut card displays, visual consistency enhances customer recognition and builds trust. Inconsistent design leads to brand dilution.

• Avoidance tip: Use a centralised design template for all POS materials. Coordinate fonts, colour schemes and logo placement across all mediums including digital and printed collateral.

The Importance of Avoiding POS Printing Mistakes

Avoiding these common mistakes in POS printing not only improves efficiency but also elevates the customer experience and boosts brand loyalty. Each printed element, whether it’s a transactional receipt or a promotional strut card, plays a part in your customer’s journey with your business.

• Mistakes in POS card printing often stem from a lack of attention to detail, outdated equipment or inadequate testing.
• With careful planning and adherence to best practices, businesses can avoid unnecessary costs and wasted resources while delivering a consistently professional brand message.

Conclusion

Ensuring effective POS printing goes beyond just pressing ‘print.’ It involves choosing the right materials, maintaining your equipment, prioritising clear design, and keeping your branding consistent. By avoiding the top 10 mistakes outlined above, businesses can significantly enhance their customer interactions and in-store promotions.

If you're looking to upgrade your POS printing strategy, including professional strut card designs or high-quality promotional materials, consider partnering with a reliable print solutions provider. VC Print offers a wide range of custom printing services tailored to retail and hospitality sectors.