TSC Alpha-3R Mobile receipt

The Alpha‑3R is a lightweight, rugged direct‑thermal printer designed for printing receipts or Labels up to 72 mm (2.83") wide. It’s ideal for mobile on‑demand applications such as field service, logistics, ticketing, and retail where portability and durability are essential.

Key Specifications

• Printing Technology: Direct thermal (no ribbon)

• Resolution: 203 dpi (8 dots/mm)

• Max Print Speed: 102 mm/s (4″ per second

• Max Print Width: 72 mm (2.83″)

• Max Print Length: Up to 2,286 mm (90″) continuous length

Size & Build

• Dimensions: ~116 × 148 × 70 mm (W × H × D) (~4.6″ × 5.8″ × 2.8″)

• Weight: ~0.55 kg (1.2 lb) including battery

• Ruggedness:

  • Rubber over-mold housing with plastic shell

  • IP54 with optional protective case

  • Drop-resistant up to 1.5 m (5 ft)

Processing & Memory

• Processor: 32-bit RISC CPU for fast operations

• Memory: 4 MB Flash + 8 MB SDRAM for buffering and formats

Connectivity & Emulations

• Standard Ports: USB 2.0

• Factory Options: Bluetooth, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi

• User Option: RS‑232 serial via adapter cable

• Printer Languages: Supports TSPL-EZ™ (EPL & ZPL emulation), CPCL, and optionally ESC-POS

Media Support

• Supports both receipt paper (with or without black mark) and narrow Labels

• Media Width:

  • Receipt: 50.8–80 mm (2.00″–3.15″)

  • Label: 50.8–78 mm (2.00″–3.07″)

• Roll Capacity:

  • Receipt roll max OD ~57 mm (~2.25″)

  • Label roll max OD ~55 mm (~2.16″)

• Media Core: 10–25 mm (0.4″–1″) core diameter

• Media Thickness:

  • Receipt paper: 0.0508–0.1016 mm (2–4 mil)

  • Labels: up to 0.14 mm (≈5.5 mil)

Power & Battery Life

• Battery: 2‑cell 7.4 V lithium-ion, 2,500 mAh

• Operating Time: ~12 hours continuous printing per charge (over 30 hours in low-usage scenarios)

Reliability & Extras

• Sensors: Reflective media sensor, head-open detection

• User Interface: 3 physical buttons (On/Off, Feed, Cover) and multiple LEDs indicating printer and battery status

• Warranty:

  • 2 years on device

  • Print head: up to 25 km or 12 months

  • Platen roller: up to 50 km or 12 months, whichever first

Use Cases

The Alpha‑3R is ideal for:

• Field sales and delivery receipts

• Mobile point-of-sale (e.g. DSD, parking citations, event tickets)

• Utility billing and meter reading workflows

• Public transit or transportation ticketing

Summary Table

ℹ️ Product Lifecycle Note

The TSC Alpha‑3R has been discontinued. If you require a supported alternative, consider newer models in TSC's mobile lineup.