Star SP700 Ribbon Guide
The Star Micronics SP700 is a popular impact kitchen printer used in restaurants, bars, cafes, hospitality businesses, and food service environments where heat, humidity, steam, and kitchen noise can make impact printing useful. Unlike a thermal receipt printer, the Star SP700 uses bond paper and an ink ribbon to print kitchen tickets, order tickets, prep tickets, bar tickets, and restaurant receipts.
This guide explains which ribbon works with the Star Micronics SP700 kitchen printer, how black and black/red ribbons are different, which paper is commonly used, and what else you may need when maintaining a Star Micronics POS printer.
Spartan POS supports the products it sells and can help customers choose the right Star Micronics printer, printer ribbon, receipt paper and ribbon, cash drawer, connection type, and POS hardware setup for restaurant, retail, hospitality, grocery, and food service environments.
Quick Answer
The Star Micronics SP700 is an impact kitchen printer, so it commonly uses a compatible SP700 printer ribbon and 3-inch bond paper rolls for Star SP500/SP700 printers. Star SP700 ribbons are commonly available in black or black/red versions. Black is used for standard one-color kitchen ticket printing, while black/red can be used when the printer and POS software support two-color output.
The Star SP700 does not use thermal receipt paper for impact printing. It typically requires compatible bond paper and a compatible ink ribbon. Compatibility depends on your POS software, operating system, connection type, drivers, accessories, and configuration. Confirm compatibility before ordering.
Star SP700 Ribbon Compatibility
| Printer | Common Ribbon Search Terms | Typical Ribbon Type | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Micronics SP700 | Star SP700 ribbon, SP700 ink ribbon, Star kitchen printer ribbon | Compatible Star SP700 impact printer ribbon | Restaurant kitchen tickets, bar orders, prep tickets, receipts, and impact printing |
| Star SP742 | Star SP742 ribbon, SP742 kitchen printer ribbon, SP742 ink ribbon | Compatible SP700 / SP742 ribbon, depending on exact model and listing | Kitchen order printing with cutter configurations, restaurant ticket routing, and back-of-house printing |
| Star SP500 / SP700 Series | Star impact printer ribbon, Star kitchen printer ribbon, Star receipt ribbon | Model-specific impact printer ribbon | Legacy Star impact printer replacement ribbon searches and restaurant kitchen printer maintenance |
Black vs. Black/Red Star SP700 Ribbons
| Ribbon Color | Best For | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Black SP700 Ribbon | Standard kitchen tickets, prep tickets, receipts, order tickets, and one-color impact printing | Confirm the ribbon listing supports your exact Star SP700 or SP742 configuration. |
| Black/Red SP700 Ribbon | Restaurant tickets where voids, modifiers, warnings, categories, or emphasized lines may print in red | Confirm your Star kitchen printer and POS software support two-color output. |
Impact Printer Ribbon vs. Thermal Receipt Paper
A common mistake is treating the Star SP700 like a thermal receipt printer. The SP700 is an impact printer, which means it prints by striking an ink ribbon against paper. Thermal printers use heat-sensitive thermal paper and do not use ink ribbons.
| Printer Type | Uses Ink Ribbon? | Uses Thermal Paper? | Common Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Kitchen Printer | Yes | No | Star Micronics SP700 | Kitchen tickets, bar orders, hot prep areas, restaurants, and environments where impact printing is preferred |
| Thermal Receipt Printer | No | Yes | Star Micronics thermal receipt printers | Retail checkout receipts, restaurant front-counter receipts, grocery receipts, hospitality receipts, and fast customer-facing printing |
What Paper Works With Star SP700 Printers?
The Star SP700 commonly uses 3-inch bond paper rolls for Star SP500/SP700 printers rather than thermal receipt paper. Some restaurants use one-ply bond paper, while others may use paper options based on ticket copy requirements, kitchen workflow, and printer configuration. Before ordering, confirm the paper width, roll diameter, core size, length, ply count, and printer model requirements.
- Star SP500/SP700 bond paper: Common for impact kitchen printers like the Star SP700.
- Receipt paper and ribbon: Useful when maintaining kitchen printers, receipt printers, and POS printer supplies together.
- Thermal paper: Used for thermal receipt printers, not typical Star SP700 impact printing.
Common Star SP700 Ribbon Problems
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen tickets look faint | Old ribbon, worn ribbon, incorrect ribbon, or paper issue | Replace the SP700 ribbon, confirm the paper type, and check that the ribbon is installed correctly. |
| Printer feeds paper but does not print clearly | Ribbon cartridge may be missing, dry, installed incorrectly, or not advancing properly | Open the printer cover, inspect the ribbon path, and install a compatible replacement ribbon. |
| Red printing does not appear | Black-only ribbon installed, POS software not using red output, or printer setup limitation | Confirm whether you installed a black/red ribbon and whether your POS software supports red print commands. |
| Ribbon wears out too quickly | High ticket volume, excessive reprints, long kitchen tickets, or low-quality ribbon | Track print volume, use quality printer ribbons, and keep extra ribbon cartridges available for busy shifts. |
| Ticket print is messy or uneven | Ribbon not seated correctly, worn print mechanism, paper path issue, or incorrect paper | Reinstall the ribbon, inspect the paper path, and verify compatible bond paper is loaded correctly. |
| Printer jams after replacing ribbon | Ribbon cartridge not seated, paper loaded incorrectly, or cover not closed properly | Remove and reinstall the ribbon, reload the paper roll, and verify the printer cover is fully closed. |
When to Replace a Star SP700 Ribbon
Replace the Star SP700 ribbon when kitchen tickets become hard to read, printed text looks faded, red or black output becomes inconsistent, the ribbon cartridge no longer advances properly, or staff have trouble reading orders during service. Restaurants and high-volume kitchens should keep spare printer ribbons available to avoid downtime during rush periods.
What You May Need With Star SP700 Ribbons
Ribbon replacement is only one part of maintaining a Star SP700 kitchen printer. Depending on your setup, you may also need compatible Star SP500/SP700 paper, a Star Micronics printer driver, a network interface, a kitchen buzzer, a replacement kitchen printer, or POS hardware support.
- Star Micronics SP700 Impact Kitchen Printer
- Kitchen Printers
- Star Micronics POS Hardware
- Star Micronics Receipt Printers
- Printer Ribbons
- Receipt Paper and Printer Ribbons
- Star Micronics RF76-D85-C17 Paper for SP500/SP700
- Receipt Paper
- Thermal Paper
- Cash Drawers
- POS Hardware
- POS Systems
- Star Micronics Printer Drivers
- Printer Ribbons for Dummies
- Thermal vs. Bond Receipt Paper Guide
- Receipt Paper Size Guide
- Ethernet vs. Bluetooth vs. USB Receipt Printers
Star SP700 vs. Thermal Receipt Printers
| Feature | Star SP700 Impact Printer | Thermal Receipt Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Printing method | Impact printing with an ink ribbon | Heat-based printing on thermal paper |
| Typical paper | Bond paper for Star SP500/SP700 printers | Thermal receipt paper |
| Best environment | Restaurant kitchens, bars, prep areas, and hot or humid environments | Front counter, retail checkout, grocery checkout, hospitality, and customer receipt printing |
| Noise level | Louder impact printing can help kitchen staff notice tickets | Quieter, faster customer-facing receipt printing |
| Common supplies | Printer ribbon and bond paper | Thermal paper rolls |
OEM vs. Compatible Star SP700 Ribbons
| Ribbon Type | Best For | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| OEM Star Micronics Ribbon | Customers who prefer manufacturer-branded consumables for Star SP700 printers | Usually the safest choice when exact Star Micronics branding is required, but verify model and color availability. |
| Compatible SP700 Ribbon | Restaurants and businesses looking for replacement ribbons that match the required cartridge format | Confirm the supplier, compatibility listing, ribbon color, print quality, and return policy before purchasing. |
Related Star SP700 Setup Topics
If replacing the ribbon does not solve the issue, the problem may be related to paper, driver setup, printer configuration, connection type, or POS software settings. The Star SP700 is commonly used as a kitchen printer, so setup issues may involve both hardware and restaurant POS routing rules.
| Topic | Why It Matters | Helpful Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Star Micronics printer drivers | The wrong driver can cause printer detection, formatting, cutter, or drawer issues. | Star Micronics Printer Drivers |
| Bond vs. thermal paper | The SP700 uses impact printing and should not be treated like a thermal printer. | Thermal vs. Bond Receipt Paper Guide |
| Receipt paper sizing | Paper width, roll diameter, core size, and roll length affect printer fit and performance. | Receipt Paper Size Guide |
| Connection type | Ethernet, USB, CloudPRNT, and other SP700 configurations can require different setup steps. | Ethernet vs. Bluetooth vs. USB Receipt Printers |
| Printer ribbons | Ribbon color, ribbon fit, and printer compatibility affect ticket clarity and uptime. | Printer Ribbons for Dummies |
Frequently Asked Questions
What ribbon does the Star SP700 use?
The Star SP700 uses a compatible impact printer ribbon designed for the SP700 / SP742 printer family. Ribbons are commonly available in black and black/red versions. Always confirm compatibility with your exact printer model and ribbon listing before ordering.
Does the Star SP700 use ink?
The Star SP700 uses an ink ribbon cartridge, not inkjet ink cartridges and not thermal paper. It is an impact printer, so it prints by striking an inked ribbon against bond paper.
Does the Star SP700 use thermal paper?
No, the Star SP700 is an impact printer and typically uses bond paper with an ink ribbon. Thermal paper is used by thermal receipt printers, not by typical Star SP700 kitchen printer setups.
Should I buy black or black/red ribbon for a Star SP700?
Black ribbon is common for standard kitchen ticket printing. Black/red ribbon may be useful when your printer and POS software support two-color printing for modifiers, voids, warnings, or other emphasized ticket information.
Why is my Star SP700 printing faint?
Faint printing is usually caused by a worn ribbon, old ribbon, incorrect ribbon, or paper issue. Replace the ribbon first, confirm you are using compatible bond paper, and check that the ribbon cartridge is installed correctly.
Can I use the same paper as my thermal receipt printer?
Usually no. Thermal receipt printers use heat-sensitive thermal paper, while the Star SP700 is an impact printer that typically uses bond paper and an ink ribbon. Review your printer model and paper requirements before ordering.
Is the Star SP700 still good for kitchen printing?
Yes, the Star SP700 remains a common choice for restaurant kitchen printing because impact printing can work well in hot and humid kitchen environments and can produce loud, readable order tickets when properly maintained.
Can Spartan POS help me choose Star SP700 ribbons and paper?
Yes. Spartan POS supports the products it sells and can help customers identify compatible Star kitchen printer ribbons, bond paper, receipt paper, replacement printers, and POS hardware setup options.
Bottom Line
The Star Micronics SP700 is an impact kitchen printer that commonly uses compatible black or black/red printer ribbons and bond paper for Star SP500/SP700 printers. Do not confuse it with a thermal receipt printer. For reliable kitchen ticket printing, confirm the exact printer model, ribbon color, paper size, connection type, driver setup, and POS software requirements before ordering. Spartan POS can help you choose compatible Star Micronics printers, impact kitchen printers, ribbons, bond paper, receipt paper, cash drawers, and related POS hardware.