Star Hip Printer User Guide

Star Micronics SM-L300 or SM-T300i (AKA: Hip Printer)

The wireless Hip Printer is ideal for quick sales. It instantly connects to your SaffireTix Mobile Device via Bluetooth technology and allows you to print a ticket or receipt quickly and easily, from anywhere! 

This small portable printer is ideal for:

• selling down the line to get customers in the gates quickly (line busting)
• parking lots
• merchandise/general store
• quick set up gate admission sales

This printer is NOT for:

• reserved seating
• selling in advance (weeks) before an event - The Hip Printer prints to a thick receipt paper and although we've done some thorough stress testing on the stock, it's more likely a customer would lose a receipt ticket if it's sold in advance. I'm sure we've all accidentally run a receipt through our washing machines.

Unboxing and Charging the Printer

1. Unbox your Star printer and ensure that all components are included:
   1. Printer unit
   2. Charging cable
   3. Shoulder strap (if applicable)
2. To charge your printer, connect it to power using the included cable. The battery will last a full day, we recommend charging your devices overnight to ensure they are ready for the next day.

Which Hip Printer Do I Have?

There are two models of Star Hip Printer that SaffireTix rents out with seller kits:

Finding Device Identifiers

When pairing your printer via Bluetooth, you will need to select the printer with the correct Bluetooth Device Identifier. This number will be either:

• The serial number — format is Star380441 where the number matches the Asset tag on your device.
• The SaffireTix asset tag number — format is

To find the serial number, look on the information sticker on the back of the device.

If the serial number has worn off from this label, you can find the serial number by performing a test print and looking at the information printed.

If your device uses the SaffireTix asset tag number as an identifier, you can find this on the blue or white Saffire sticker on the front of the device.

Setting Bluetooth Mode for iPhone vs Android (T300i only)

The SM-T300i utilizes two different Bluetooth modes, one that is Android compatible, and one that is iPhone/iPad compatible. To check and set these modes:

1. Power on the printer.
2. Enter setup mode: Simultaneously hold down the Power and Feed buttons until the Error light flashes 5 times.
3. Repeatedly press the Power button until the desired Bluetooth mode is displayed.
   1. For iOS devices, select "Bluetooth (Auto)"
   2. For Android, select "Bluetooth (MAC)"
4. Save the setting by simultaneously pressing and then releasing the Power and Feed buttons.
5. A status sheet will print, which confirms the new Bluetooth setting.

Connecting the L300 or T300i to an Android Mobile Device

To connect to your Chainway or Zebra Android device:

1. Press and hold the Mode button to power on the printer.
2. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile device.
3. When using a Chainway or Zebra scanner, you must first connect the printer via Bluetooth in your device settings. If prompted for a PIN, enter 1234. Then proceed with the next step.
4. In the SaffireTix Mobile App, access Setting by pressing the gear in the bottom right corner.
5. Press "Select Printer" and select the appropriate printer.
   1. If multiple printers are detected, identify the correct one by matching up the device with the last 5 digits of the serial number printed on the back of your device.
   2. If the serial number is rubbed off or not easily visible, a test print can be done to find the Serial Number.
   3. As a last resort, if you take that printer a good distance away from the others and turn it on, it should be the only one on the list. Then you can create a label or write the number on the top of the printer.
6. When a new user logs into the app, be sure to check that you are paired to the correct printer at the start of each shift. You don't want to finish a transaction only to learn that the ticket isn't printing because the printer isn't paired.

Connecting the T300i to an IOS Device

To connect your iPhone/iPad:

1. Open the phone settings app and navigate to Bluetooth.
2. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled.
3. Pair the printer in the Bluetooth settings.
   1. You can identify the printer by the serial number, or it may have a unique name which matches the asset tag on the front of the device.
   2. If multiple printers are detected, identify the correct one by matching up the device with the last 5 digits of the serial number printed on the back of your device (or asset tag if appropriate).
   3. If the serial number is rubbed off or not easily visible, a test print can be done to find the Serial Number.
   4. As a last resort, if you take that printer a good distance away from the others and turn it on, it should be the only one on the list. Then you can create a label or write the number on the top of the printer.
4. Click the appropriate number, then add the printer PIN: 1234, and Pair. Once paired, the Bluetooth icon will appear on the printer's LCD screen.
5. In the SaffireTix Mobile App, access Settings by pressing the gear in the bottom right corner.
6. Press "Select Printer" and select the appropriate printer.
7. When a new user logs into the app, be sure to check that you are paired to the correct printer at the start of each shift. You don't want to finish a transaction only to learn that the ticket isn't printing because the printer isn't paired.

Pairing the SM-L300 to an iOS device

1. In the SaffireTix Mobile App, access Settings by pressing the gear in the bottom right corner.
2. Press "Select Printer" and select the appropriate printer. You can identify the printer by the serial number, or it may have a unique name which matches the asset tag on the front of the device.
   1. If multiple printers are detected, identify the correct one by matching up the device with the last 5 digits of the serial number printed on the back of your device (or asset tag if appropriate.
   2. If the serial number is rubbed off or not easily visible, a test print can be done to find the Serial Number.
   3. As a last resort, if you take that printer a good distance away from the others and turn it on, it should be the only one on the list. Then you can create a label or write the number on the top of the printer.
3. When a new user logs into the app, be sure to check that you are paired to the correct printer at the start of each shift. You don't want to finish a transaction only to learn that the ticket isn't printing because the printer isn't paired.

Performing a Test Print (T300i)

1. Power on the device by holding down the power button until you hear the three toned beep and the screen comes on.
2. Hold down the power and feed buttons at the same time until the error light blinked 5 times and the screen turns blue.
3. Hold down the power and feed buttons at the same time for 5-10 seconds, then release. A test receipt should now print containing device information.

Performing a Test Print (L300)

Power on the device by holding down the power until you hear the three toned beep and the screen comes on.

Hold the power and feed buttons down at the same time until the device beeps and enters menu mode.

Press feed once to enter Self Test mode.

Press feed once more to enter Print, then again to print a test.

Once a test has printed, press the power button to navigate to Previous Menu, then press feed to select Previous Menu.

Press the power button twice again to navigate to Exit Menu, then press feed to select Exit Menu.

Loading Ticket Paper Rolls

1. Open the printer by pressing the release button on the side of the printer.
2. Place paper roll into printer with the roll feeding from the bottom. Be sure to hold the paper rolled tightly and leave some excess paper attached for the paper feed to grab.
3. Close printer lid by pressing on front edge until it snaps closed.
4. Tear receipts by pulling forwards and to the side.

Smaller Ticket Paper Rolls (Star L300 only)

You may have received replacement paper rolls with your Star L300 printer that are smaller than the roll that shipped inside the printer. If your paper rolls are smaller, rest assured you can still print with them. The roll will look loose in the printer, but if you adjust the paper guide tabs inside the printer, you should be able to print without problems.

When you print a printer test print with the feed button, you may see some of the print run off the side of the paper, however your ticket/receipt template should be set to the correct margins when printed from a test transaction. If you print a test from a transaction and it is still running off of both sides of the paper, you may need to contact Saffire support by clicking the orange button below to have the margins adjusted in your platform settings.

Product Setup in Spark

Use this printer for merchandise by creating a SaffireTix product* but on the Inventory and Codes tab of the product editor, uncheck the box that says Generate Codes on Purchase to only print a receipt instead of a QR code with redemption options.

*NOTE: Any merchandise being sold as a Tix product will be billed as a Tix product in accordance with your Saffire Contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the stock cost?

A: Just like our other printers, if you are using SaffireTix branded stock, we will provide that to you at no additional expense. If you would like to order custom stock, we can put you in contact with one of our partners to design and get you quotes. These will vary depending on several factors such as quantity, colors, front and back printing, etc. Just reach out to your coach or send an email to support@saffire.com

Q: Can I use these printers in my Box Office?

A: Yes and No, These printers have a very small footprint, they don't take much space so they are ideal for many spaces. However they ONLY pair to the SaffireTix App, so if you are selling reserved seating, this isn't the printer for you, but if you are only selling General Admission, this will work great! If you aren't sure if it'll work for a specific use case, just ask. We are happy to talk through it with you!

Q: Can I use this printer with an iPad?

A: Yes, any Apple iOS device with Bluetooth that's running the latest version of the SaffireTix app will be able to use this printer.

Q: How long does the battery last on the Hip Printer?

A: The battery will last a full day, they last much longer than a mobile phone. They charge using a micro USB, we'd encourage plugging them in at the end of the day.

Q: I've run out of paper and it's the middle of my event, can I use thermal receipt paper that I can buy at Staples/Office Max?

A: There are some size requirements for this stock which make it a bit difficult to purchase at a whim at an office supply store. However, in an emergency situation you can get thermal stock and divide it into multiple rolls. The paper width is one of the standard sizes, the big difference comes to the paper length (or diameter of the roll).

Q: How many tickets can I sell with 1 roll?

A: approx.~235. This will vary depending on the number of tickets in each transaction. This printer will print the receipt first followed be each QR code, so if you print two tickets on one transaction, it won't use as much stock as printing two separate orders with 1 ticket each. We estimate about 235 tickets each roll by averaging the variable sizes and by rounding down safely.

Specifications that we provide/recommend are: 80 gram (thicker paper) Thermal receipt paper, 80mm width, 80 ft length

If you choose to use thinner receipt paper, Star recommends: Paper SM-L300, SM-L304: 80mm width, 122 ft length - Part Number: 37966590

Q: Why can't I connect to Bluetooth?

A: Be sure your device has BLE enabled.

PDF Manual Download for Star L300

PDF Manual Download for Star T300i