Set Up and Print Item Labels

Last updated: Mar 25, 2026, 1:53 PM

Streamline your takeout operations with item labels. Learn how to set up and print individual item sticky labels for each item in an order.

In this Article:

 

Looking for information on printing barcode labels for Toast Retail? See the Generate and Print Barcodes section of this Support Center article, Get Started With Toast Retail. Note: The printers described in this article cannot be used to print barcodes - they are kitchen printers. 

 

Sticky Label Printer Setup

Individual item labels can only be printed from an Epson L90 printer or a TLP400. All labels display the guest-facing item name and all modifiers, guest name, due date and time, and dining option. Large labels include a restaurant logo and an open text configurable footer at the bottom. Here's an example of a Large (3" x 3") label:


Sample receipt with different fields labeled
 

Need help installing your Toast TLP400? Check out our article, Toast Item Label Printer Quick Start Guide.

 

  1. Once you've plugged your new printer in and turned it on, navigate to Printer Setup in the main Setup menu of your POS device and follow the prompts. It will walk you through setting up your new printer, including these label configuration options:
    1. Label Size: After choosing the Item Labels setup for this printer, you can select your desired size. Make sure the label size is compatible with the paper loaded into your printer. Note: Label printers are compatible with the Wide (76-80 mm) paper width setting only. The Narrow paper width setting is not compatible with item label paper. Learn more about paper recommendations for each printer type that Toast supports.
    2. Label Format: For all three Small and Medium sizes, you can select a format to emphasize either the Guest Name or the Ticket Number. If an order has a table/ticket number, it will always be displayed instead of the dining option.
      1. Here's how the Small - Vertical (1.5" x 3") and Small - Horizontal (3" x 1.5") sizes display in the Guest Name on top format. Note: The Small - Vertical (1.5" x 3") labels will now adjust the font size to include all modifiers on the label.

        Small labels can print in one of two orientations: Vertical or Horizontal.         Small labels can print in one of two orientations: Horizontal or Vertical.

      2. Here's how the Medium - Horizontal (3" x 2") size displays in the Ticket Number format:
        Medium labels print only in Horizontal orientation, but you can still choose to place the Guest Name or Ticket Number in the header.
      3. Large - Square (3" x 3") labels do not have additional format options. Both the guest name and ticket number are automatically added to the header at the top, along with your restaurant logo (uploaded in the Restaurant Info page in Toast Web).

        Large labels come in a single square format, including both the Guest Name and the Ticket Number in the header.
         
  2. Once you complete the Printer Setup flow, let's make sure the settings are correct in Toast Web. Navigate to Payments > Checks & receipt setup > Printers and cash drawers.
  3. Select the printer you just added and named with the steps above. On the printer's detail page, ensure that the Model selected is Epson L90 or Toast TLP400.
  4. At this time, if you have selected the Large - Square label size, you can also add a Custom footer such as prep instructions or a social media callout. Note: This field also supports standard emojis.

    Custom receipt footer example

  5. Save and publish your changes.


Note: You can have the dining option printed on the label. To do so, navigate to Kitchen > Printers, tickets, & KDS devices > Kitchen and select Yes for Always Print and Show Dining Option. 

 

Print Item Labels for Takeout Orders with Prep Station Routing (No KDS Required)

Once you've configured your label printer, follow these steps to print individual labels by routing items to prep stations:

 

Configure Prep Stations for Item Label Printing

  1. Start by configuring your prep stations. In Toast Web, navigate to Kitchen > Kitchen stations > Prep stations.
  2. Select the +Add button to create a new prep station or make edits on this page to an existing prep station. 
  3. You'll be asked to fill out the following for a new prep station:
    1. Station Name - This can be something as simple as "Grill."
    2. Send to Expediter - If this is checked, the items routed to this prep station will also be shown on the expediter screens or tickets. See the Expediter section of our Get Stated with Kitchen Configuration article to learn more.
    3. Other Stations - If you're looking to configure items to go to more than one prep station, set your additional prep stations here.
    4. Ticket Printer - Here you can link the L90 printer you've added in Toast Web to your prep station. Simply select the drop-down menu and select the printer you'd like to use.
    5. Always Print Tickets - If this option is checked, tickets will automatically be printed when items are routed to the prep station. Toast recommends checking this box off for item label printing. If it's not checked, tickets will only print in offline mode.
    6. Changing Prep Station Printers - If at any point you'd like to switch the printer assigned to a given prep station, ensure that the printer is set up in Toast Web and select the new printer from the drop-down menu under the prep station in question.

 

Note: If you don't need items to a kitchen printer or multiple prep stations simultaneously, for Other Stations, select Nothing Selected. For example, a coffee shop might not need a kitchen ticket, but will want an item label. If that's the case, make sure to create a specific prep station for the L90 printer, such as Coffee Takeout Station.

 

With your prep stations created in Toast Web, you can now properly route your menu items throughout your kitchen and print item labels. 

 

Route Your Items to Prep Stations & Printing Item Labels

  1. In Toast Web, navigate to Menus > Bulk management > Advanced properties.
  2. Using the Show/Hide dropdown menu on the top right of your screen, select Prep Stations. 
  3. A new column labeled Prep Stations will now show up next to your Menus, Groups, and Items. Select the appropriate prep station and route specific menus or menu items. In the example below, we don't need to select Takeout Station since items sent to the Line prep station will also be sent to the Takeout Station (for more information, check out step 2 above). To learn more about prep stations, check out Configure and Assign Prep Stations. 

    Editing a prep station in Advanced Properties

  4. Save and publish your changes.


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Print Item Labels for Takeout Orders from a KDS

Once you've configured your label printer, follow these steps to print individual labels:
 

  1. For the device you're primarily using for takeout orders, set your device's primary printer as the Item Label Printer. Navigate to the main menu of the Toast POS app and go to Setup > Device Setup.
  2. For Receipt Printer, select the label printer you just set up. 
  3. Select Save.
    1. Note: If you'd like to print individual drink tickets with modifiers in separate line items, then you'll need to assign the label printer to that drink prep station (step 2 above). For more information on individual item ticket settings, see Get Started with Kitchen Ticket Display Customization.
  4. On your KDS device, select the individual items on a ticket and select the Print button.

    sample KDS ticket showing individual item selected
     
  5. Select Expediter/Food Runner Ticket (if you're using your KDS as an expediter) or Station Ticket (if you're using your KDS as a prep station). Your label will now print.