Scale Printer Guide: Thermal vs Dot-Impact and How to Connect One
A scale printer prints each weight with the date, time and totals, and for indicators and bench scales the Brecknell CP103 thermal printer is on sale for $498.00 (regular $819.00), in stock.
Reviewed by MNM Scales technicians · Updated November 3, 2026 · Prices checked November 3, 2026
Short answer: a scale printer connects to a scale, balance or indicator and prints each weight on paper, often with the date, time and totals. Pick the print type first (thermal or dot-impact), then match the printer’s port and communication settings to your scale. For indicators and bench scales, the Brecknell CP103 thermal printer is $498; for A&D balances, the A&D AD-1192 dot-impact printer is $415. Tell us your scale model and we will confirm the printer and cable: call (832) 290-3120.
This guide is for shipping and receiving desks, production lines, labs and QC teams that need a paper record of each weighing. MNM Scales has sold, calibrated and repaired scales and balances for over 30 years from our shop in Cypress, Texas, and we are one of the largest scale distributors. MNM Scales is an authorized A&D Weighing, Brecknell and Sartorius dealer.
What a scale printer does
- Weight tickets and receipts: a slip with the weight, tare and net for each load, parcel or batch.
- Lab and QC printouts: balance results with date, time and sample ID for batch records and audits.
- Totals and statistics: printers such as the A&D AD-8118C keep running totals and print maximum, minimum, average and standard deviation.
- Price labels at a counter: that is a different job, covered in our deli scale with label printer guide.
Thermal vs dot-impact scale printers
- Thermal: prints with heat on thermal paper, with no ribbon or ink. It is quick and quiet. The Brecknell CP103 prints at 90 mm per second and the Sartorius YDP40 at 100 mm per second, both at 203 dpi.
- Dot-impact: pins strike an ink ribbon onto plain paper. A&D notes the AD-8118C’s dot-impact printing allows long-term storage of printed data, which suits records you file and keep.
- Built into the scale: the A&D HW-10KCP bench scale has a line thermal printer in the scale itself, so there is no separate printer or cable to set up.
Scale printer models compared at live prices
| Model | Print type | Interface | Paper | Key features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brecknell CP103 | Direct thermal, 203 dpi, 90 mm/s | RS-232, 1,200 to 115,200 baud (default 9600, 8, N, 1) | 58 mm thermal | Time and date, custom logo, 24 or 32 columns, paper-out sensor | $498 |
| A&D AD-1192 | Dot impact, 40 columns | RS-232C, 1,200 to 19,200 baud | 57.5 mm plain paper, ink ribbon | Palm-sized, wall mountable, paper near-end detection | $415 |
| A&D AD-8118C | Dot matrix impact, 24 columns | RS-232C or current loop (slide switch) | 57.5 mm plain paper, ink ribbon | Built-in calendar/clock, totals and statistics, interval printing | $698 |
| Sartorius YDP40 | Direct thermal, 203 dpi, 100 mm/s | USB | 57.5 mm thermal paper | Plug and work with Secura, Quintix and Practum USB balances | $959 |
| A&D HW-10KCP bench scale with printer | Built-in line thermal, 32 characters per line | Built in (RS-232C or USB boards sold separately) | 58 mm thermal | 20 x 0.002 lb scale, comparator lights, date printing | $849 |
Running a CP103? Its Brecknell AWT05-507979 thermal paper, box of 10 rolls is $79.
How to connect a scale printer to your scale
- Match the port. Most scales and indicators print over RS-232; current Sartorius balances also print over USB. Check the connector on both ends before ordering a cable.
- Match the settings. Baud rate, data bits, parity and stop bits have to be the same on the scale and the printer. The CP103 ships at 9600, 8, N, 1, and its RS-232 configuration cable (AWT05-508092, included) is used to change its settings.
- Use the right cable. A&D lists the AD-1192 cable by balance series, such as KO:WW9/25 for EJ, EK-i and FX-i balances; the cable is not included, so send us your model and we will confirm it.
- Set the print mode on the scale. Choose print on key press or auto print on a stable weight, and set the date and time on the scale or printer if you want them on the slip.
- Print a test slip. Garbled characters mean a settings mismatch; recheck the baud rate and data bits first.
Sending weights to a PC instead of paper? See how to connect a scale to a computer. Choosing an indicator with the right outputs? See our scale indicator buying guide.
Brand notes: A&D, Brecknell and Sartorius
- A&D AD-1192: 40-column dot-impact printing at about 1.8 lines per second, a 2K buffer, 57.5 mm paper on 60 or 80 mm rolls and an ink ribbon rated about 250,000 characters. It weighs about 470 g and mounts on a wall.
- A&D AD-8118C: prints in random, dump, interval and batch modes, and keeps cumulative memory and the clock backed up by an internal battery for about 10 years. With the AD-8118C-02 expansion board (not included), it accepts up to four scales or indicators.
- Brecknell CP103: a 4 x 3 x 1.8 in thermal printer that weighs 0.32 lb, sized to sit next to an indicator. The 12 V DC power adapter (AWT05-100573) is not included.
- Sartorius YDP40: current Sartorius USB balances recognize it automatically. Sartorius includes a USB cable, power adapter and one paper roll; Entris II and Quintix Pro balances connect with the Sartorius YCC-USB-C-B cable.
Scale with a built-in printer
The A&D HW-10KCP ($849) is a 20 lb x 0.002 lb bench scale with a line thermal printer built in. It prints 32 characters per line on 58 mm paper, comes with one roll, and uses A&D AX-PP147-S paper (set of 5 rolls) after that. Set the print mode and clock in the function table to print weights, counts, accumulated totals and the date. It runs on its AC adapter, and RS-232C or USB boards can be added to send the same data to a PC.
Rules: printed records and NTEP
A printout is only as good as the weight behind it, so keep the scale calibrated and note the calibration date in your records. If printed weights are used to sell by weight, pair the printer with an NTEP-approved scale; see our NTEP guide.
Texas note: TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. See TDA’s scales used in trade guidance (PDF) and our TDA scale certification guide, or call us or TDA to confirm your use.
Calibration and rental
- Balances up to 2.2 kg: in-house calibration with a certificate is $95, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $395. See NIST vs in-house certificates and our balance calibration service.
- Scales 6.2 to 35 kg, such as the HW-10KCP: in-house calibration with a certificate is $250, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $595.
- On-site service: $295 + $2 per mile per visit across the Houston area, with calibration charged per scale; see our scale calibration service and on-site calibration.
- Mail-in, repairs and rentals: ship smaller scales for mail-in calibration, have us repair the brands we sell, and rent all types of scales while yours is out of service.
Need a printer for your scale? Send us the scale or balance model and what you want on the slip, and we will match the printer, cable and settings. Shop: 21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, visits by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is a scale printer?
A small printer that connects to a scale, balance or indicator and prints each weight on paper, often with the date, time, ID and totals.
Thermal or dot-impact: which scale printer should I get?
Thermal printers such as the Brecknell CP103 are quick and quiet with no ribbon. Dot-impact printers such as the A&D AD-1192 print on plain paper with an ink ribbon for records you file and keep.
Will a scale printer work with my scale?
Yes, when the port and settings match. Check RS-232 or USB, then set the same baud rate, data bits and parity on both. Call (832) 290-3120 with your model and we will confirm the printer and cable.
Is a cable included with the printer?
It depends on the printer. The Sartorius YDP40 includes a USB cable and the CP103 includes its RS-232 configuration cable. The A&D AD-1192 cable is not included and is matched to your balance series.
Can a scale printer print the date and time?
Yes. The A&D AD-8118C has a built-in calendar/clock, the Brecknell CP103 prints time and date, and the A&D HW-10KCP prints the date once its clock is set.
Can you calibrate the scale I connect the printer to?
Yes. Balances up to 2.2 kg start at $95 with a certificate, and scales from 6.2 to 35 kg start at $250. Call (832) 290-3120.