An imprinter is a manual device that creates a physical copy of a credit card transaction. The result is a hard copy and a carbon copy of credit card details plus the signature of the customer.
This allows a business to get the details of a transaction without the use of a credit card terminal or other methods of electronically capturing credit card details.
A credit card imprinter is a device that allows for the physical copying of a credit card, so it can be processed later.
The imprinter is used when a credit card is physically present, but it cannot be processed right away. For example, an imprinter may be used when a credit card terminal is broken or offline in-store, but a customer still wants to purchase something.
Imprinters are also used in some delivery businesses that take their wares on the road and may not have access to a credit card terminal or choose not to use a smartphone app for processing.
To use the imprinter you must install a paper carbon copy receipt. The card is placed on top of it and then the user must manually slide the top of the device over the card. The top of the imprinter pushes down forcefully on the credit card, creating a printout of the credit card information.
After this, the business must also obtain the customer’s signature. The combination of the carbon copy of the receipt and the customer’s signature serves as authorization of the transaction.
The business keeps the carbon copy and gives the customer the hard copy as their receipt.
The business owner will then have to upload the details of the transaction at a later point when they have access to their terminal.
Imprinters are seldom used today. Credit card terminals are easy to come by, but if for some reason one is not available smartphones and tablets can take their place. This makes using a physical credit card reader unnecessary most of the time.
However, there are some rare instances when an imprinter may still be necessary. If the business credit card terminal is broken, or if there is a power outage, a manual way to take credit card information may be necessary.
Having a physical copy of your customer’s credit card information does pose some security concerns.
The paper version must be kept in a secure location so no one can potentially copy and steal the information.
The business will want to hold onto the physical copy of the receipt for 180 days during which the customer can dispute the transaction if they need to.
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