Citizen CT-S281 Receipt Printer Two-color, RS-232, 203 dpi, 80mm/s, Cutter, Black

The Citizen CT-S281 Thermal Receipt Printer is a compact, commercial-grade direct thermal printer designed for point-of-sale, hospitality and ticketing environments that require dependable, high-quality receipt and label output. Available in multiple configurations, the CT-S281 supports two-color thermal printing to emphasize key transaction details, fast print throughput for busy counters, and integrated cutting for tidy receipt handling. Its straightforward connectivity options (USB, Serial/RS-232) and ESC/POS compatibility simplify integration with common POS systems and kiosks. With a small footprint and wall-mountable options, this family of printers reduces counter clutter while delivering reliable daily performance, low maintenance demands and consistent print clarity for receipts, barcodes and QR codes.

Key Features

• Two-color printing: Direct thermal support for black and red output helps highlight totals, warnings or promotional text on receipts.
• Fast transaction throughput: Up to 80 mm/s print speed keeps queues moving and reduces customer wait time.
• Integrated cutter: Built-in automatic cutter (full or partial) provides clean, professional receipt separation and reduces manual handling.
• Flexible connectivity: USB, Serial (RS-232) and model-dependent interfaces enable straightforward integration with a wide range of POS systems.
• Compact, install-ready design: Small footprint with desktop and wall-mount options suits tight counters, kiosks and mobile points of sale.

Specifications

• Brand: Citizen
• Product Model: CT-S281
• Print Technology: Direct thermal
• Print Resolution: 203 dpi
• Resolution (dots per mm): 8 dots/mm
• Two-Color Printing: Yes (black and red)
• Maximum Print Speed: 80 mm/s
• Maximum Print Width: 48 mm
• Maximum Media Width: 58–83 mm (varies by variant)
• Compatible Paper Width: 57/58 mm
• Interfaces / Connectivity: USB, Serial (RS-232) (availability varies by SKU)
• Command Set / Protocol Compatibility: ESC/POS
• Integrated Cutter Included: Yes
• Cutter Life / Rated Life: 1,000,000 cuts
• Power Supply Included: Yes
• Power Supply Voltage: 8.5 V
• External Dimensions (H x W x D): 105 x 106 x 180 mm
• Weight: ~630 g (model-dependent)
• Thermal Print Head Life: Up to 50 km / 160,000 ft (model-dependent)
• Wall Mountable: Yes (select variants)
• Required Paper Type: Thermal roll paper (heat-sensitive)