📝 Overview

This setup process allows you to enable and configure the Cash Drawer so it opens automatically during cash transactions or manually from the Point of Sale page.

The Cash Drawer relies on a receipt printer connection and a PrintNode account to communicate with the physical cash drawer. The Cash Drawer must be enabled from Integrations and Add-ons before printer and drawer details can be configured.

📣 Want to learn how the Cash Drawer is used?

If you’re looking for details on how the Cash Drawer works during transactions and who can access it, review the Cash Drawer article below.

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🧰 Hardware

Click the arrow to learn what hardware is required for the Cash Drawer

The Cash Drawer feature requires a compatible receipt printer and cash drawer. The cash drawer connects through the receipt printer and uses PrintNode to communicate with the software.

Before completing setup, confirm that your hardware is supported and properly connected.

A supported receipt printer
A compatible cash drawer
The cash drawer physically connected to the receipt printer

📣 Need help choosing hardware?

Review the supported hardware list and scroll to the Receipt Printers and Cash Drawers sections to find compatible options.

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🔑 Authorizations

Click the arrow to view setup and usage permissions

Using the Cash Drawer

To process cash transactions and fully use the Cash Drawer, users must have the following role authorizations assigned:

🧾 Cash Register
Allows users to process transactions. When a cash payment is completed, the Cash Drawer opens automatically.
🛒 Shopping Cart
Required to process payments through registration and checkout flows that accept cash.
🔓 Cash Drawer Open
Allows users to manually open the Cash Drawer from the Point of Sale or Cash Register (legacy) page.

Configuring the Cash Drawer

To enable or make changes to the Cash Drawer settings in Integrations & Add-ons, a user must have Company Account Settings access.

This permission is required to:

Enable or disable the Cash Drawer feature
Update PrintNode credentials
Configure printers and default printer behavior

🛠️ Setup

Follow each step below to ensure the Cash Drawer is set up correctly.

1️⃣ Receipt Printer Configuration

Click the arrow to learn how to configure the receipt printer for the Cash Drawer

The receipt printer must be properly configured on a computer at your location for the Cash Drawer to open during cash transactions.

Install and prepare the receipt printer

Make sure the receipt printer is:
- Physically connected to the computer
- Powered on
- Installed with the appropriate printer drivers
If the printer is already being used successfully for receipts, this step may already be complete.

Install and connect PrintNode

The Cash Drawer uses PrintNode to communicate with the receipt printer.

Install the PrintNode application on the computer where the receipt printer is attached.
Do not install PrintNode as a Windows service.
Once installed:
- The application should open to a login screen.
- If it does not, locate the PrintNode icon in the Windows system tray (bottom-right corner).
- Right-click the icon and select Open.
Log in to PrintNode using the credentials shown on the Integrations & Add-ons page.
- These credentials only appear after the Cash Drawer feature has been enabled (See Step 4 below).

Locate the Printer ID in PrintNode

Once logged in to PrintNode:

Open the Printers tab.
Locate the receipt printer connected to the computer.
Copy the Printer ID associated with that printer.

This Printer ID is required when configuring the Cash Drawer in Dash.

2️⃣ Connect the cash drawer to the receipt printer

Click the arrow to learn how to connect the cash drawer

Before completing setup in the software, the cash drawer must be physically connected to the receipt printer.

Plug the cash drawer cable into the RJ11 (or RJ12) port on the receipt printer.
Make sure the cable is securely connected.

⚠️ Important

The cash drawer must be plugged into the RJ11/RJ12 port on the printer, not the Ethernet port.
Plugging the cash drawer into the Ethernet port will prevent the drawer from opening.

Some cash drawer cables:

Are different sizes on each end
May be labeled to indicate which side connects to the drawer

The smaller connector should be plugged into the RJ11/RJ12 port on the printer.
Port placement may vary by printer model.

3️⃣ Drawer Pre-Test (recommended)

Click the arrow to learn how to test the cash drawer before using Dash

Before testing the Cash Drawer in Dash, we recommend confirming the drawer opens directly from the printer settings.

On Windows 10 and above:

Open the Search menu and search for Printers.
Select your Epson printer.
Click Manage.
Select Printer Properties.
Go to the Peripherals tab.
Select Cash Drawer.
Click Operation Check.

If the cash drawer opens, the hardware connection is working correctly.

4️⃣ Enable the Cash Drawer

Click the arrow to learn how to enable the Cash Drawer feature

Navigate to the Admin drop down.
Select Integrations and Add-ons.
Locate Cash Drawer in the list of available features and click the Get Started button.
Toggle the feature On.
When the Cash Drawer is enabled, PrintNode account credentials are automatically created for your Dash account.
- The email address is pulled from Company Settings, using the email listed under:
  - Member App
  - Online Support
- This email can be changed by clicking into the email field and entering a different address.
- The PrintNode password is automatically generated.
- Once created, the PrintNode credentials will auto-populate in Company Settings.
Within the same modal, you can also configure printer and drawer details.
Configure printer details in the modal
- Name
  Enter a friendly name to help identify the printer or drawer (for example, Front Desk Drawer).
- Location
  Select the location where this printer and cash drawer are used.
- Printer ID
  Enter the Printer ID provided by PrintNode for the selected printer.
You can also select a default receipt printer in this modal.
- The default printer selection is remembered for one year, or until browser cookies are cleared.
- Setting a default printer helps avoid prompts during cash transactions.
Review the populated PrintNode credentials, printer details, and default printer selection.
Click Save.

5️⃣ Confirm cash drawer behavior during a transaction

Click the arrow to learn how to confirm the Cash Drawer is working

To confirm setup is complete:

Process a transaction using Cash as the payment method.
The Cash Drawer should automatically open when the transaction is completed.
If no default printer is set, you may be prompted to choose which drawer should open.

If the drawer opens as expected, setup is complete.

6️⃣ Confirm manual open access (Optional)

Click the arrow to learn how to confirm manual open access

If your staff will manually open the Cash Drawer:

Confirm the employee role includes the Cash Drawer Open authorization.
Navigate to the Point of Sale page or Cash Register (legacy) page.
Verify the Cash Drawer button appears and opens the drawer.

💡 Pro Tips

🧰 Confirm hardware before setup - Make sure the receipt printer and cash drawer are physically connected and supported before enabling the Cash Drawer.
🖨️ Install PrintNode correctly - Install PrintNode on the computer connected to the printer and do not install it as a Windows service.
🧪 Run the drawer pre-test first - Use the printer’s Operation Check to confirm the drawer opens before troubleshooting Dash settings.
📍 Remember settings are machine-based - Printer and Cash Drawer settings are tied to the computer, not the user. Logging in on a different machine uses that machine’s settings.
🌐 Keep the PrintNode machine online - The computer running PrintNode must be powered on and connected to the internet for the drawer to open.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Find answers to common questions or additional details that may not be covered in the main instructions.

Click the arrow to view frequently asked questions