A thermal receipt is one of the smallest branded surfaces a business hands directly to a customer — and it's tempting to try to fit a logo, a slogan, social media handles, and a thank-you note all onto a strip barely wide enough for the price list.
Put the logo at the top, sized modestly
A small logo or business name at the header establishes the brand immediately without eating into space needed for the actual transaction details below it — resist the urge to make it larger than necessary.
One brand touch at the bottom, not several
A single line — a thank-you message, a social handle, or a loyalty program mention — works better than stacking several, which starts to feel like the receipt is advertising rather than confirming a purchase.
Never let branding push out required information
Tax details, itemized pricing, and the total should never be compressed or cut short to make room for decorative elements — the functional purpose of the receipt always takes priority over branding space.
Consider a QR code instead of a long message
A QR code linking to your website, a review page, or a loyalty sign-up communicates more than several lines of text would, in a fraction of the space — often a better use of limited room than a paragraph of marketing copy.
Keep it consistent across every receipt
Whatever branding choices you settle on, apply them the same way every time — a receipt that varies in layout from visit to visit looks less established than one with a consistent, recognizable format.