
April Planning: Getting Your Custom Till Rolls Ready for Next Month
March is done. If you have been running custom printed till rolls this month, you already know whether they are working. If you have not, April is the perfect time to start.
But here is the problem: most businesses think about their receipts the week before they need them. By then, it is too late. Custom printed till rolls require planning, artwork approval, production time, and delivery. If you want branded receipts ready for April, you need to act now.
Print Lord has worked with Brewdog, Uber, Specsavers, fashion brands, sports venues, horse racing operations, restaurants, and retail businesses across the UK. The ones who win are the ones who plan ahead. The ones who scramble at the last minute either settle for generic receipts or pay rush fees that wipe out any marketing ROI.
Here is your timeline for getting custom printed till rolls ready for April, and how to make sure your receipts work from day one.
Lead Times: What You Need to Know
Custom printed till rolls are not print-on-demand. They require artwork setup, proofing, production, and delivery. Standard lead time is 15 to 20 working days from artwork approval and payment.
That means if you want branded receipts ready for 1 April, you need to have your artwork approved and payment confirmed by mid-March at the latest. If you are reading this on 31 March, you have missed that window for a 1 April start, but you can still get rolls ready for mid-April if you move quickly.
Rush production is sometimes available, but it costs more and is not guaranteed. The smarter move is to plan ahead and avoid the stress.
Step 1: Define Your April Campaign Goals
Before you design anything, decide what you want your receipts to achieve in April. Pick one primary goal:
- – **Drive repeat purchases** with a discount code or next visit offer
- **Grow your social media following** with clear handles and a call to action
- **Increase reviews** by printing a QR code linking to Google, Trustpilot, or TripAdvisor
- **Build your loyalty programme** with a QR code linking to your app or sign-up page
- **Promote a seasonal offer** for Easter, spring collections, or April events
- **Collect customer feedback** via a QR code linking to a survey
You can have secondary goals, but your receipt design and messaging should focus on one main action. The clearer the call to action, the better the response rate.
Print Lord can help you set up QR codes with usage reporting, so you can track exactly how many customers are scanning and engaging. This turns your receipts into a measurable marketing channel, not just a transactional document.
Step 2: Plan Your Design and Messaging
Custom printed till rolls use a repeating design. Unlike a single-page flyer, your artwork cycles as the roll prints. This means you must plan carefully to ensure at least one complete message appears per typical receipt print-out length.
Print Lord works with clients to design receipts that balance promotional messaging with transactional clarity. Whether you choose single colour for clean simplicity or full colour for maximum impact, the design must work within the constraints of thermal printing while remaining sharp, legible, and on brand.
Your April receipt design should include:
- – **Your logo** sized appropriately for the roll width (57mm or 80mm)
- **Your primary call to action** (clear, concise, and action-driven)
- **Contact details or social handles** if relevant to your campaign goal
- **QR code** if you are using one (Print Lord can help set these up with usage reporting)
- **Any seasonal messaging** for Easter, spring promotions, or April events
Do not try to cram everything into one repeat. Prioritise what matters most. A clean, legible message beats a cluttered one every time.
Step 3: Get Your Artwork Ready
Your artwork should be supplied as a vector file (PDF or AI preferred) with all fonts outlined. If you are including images, ensure they are at least 300dpi at the final print size.
Your design file should show the full repeat height clearly marked, with bleed and trim marks if applicable. If you are unsure how to set this up, Print Lord provides artwork templates and guidance.
Colour specifications depend on your print method. For single colour, specify your Pantone reference. For full colour, supply CMYK values, not RGB.
Thermal rolls are available in single colour all the way through to full colour. Single colour works well for minimalist brands with strong typographic identities. Full colour works better for brands with distinctive colour palettes, pattern work, or illustrative logos. The choice depends on your brand guidelines and the level of premium presentation you want to achieve.
Step 4: Order Early and Allow for Proofing
Once you have submitted your artwork, Print Lord will review it for technical suitability, design repeat planning, and brand consistency. We will provide a proof for your approval before production begins.
This proofing stage is critical. It is your chance to check that your message reads correctly, your QR code is positioned properly, and your branding is reproduced accurately. Once you approve the proof, production begins.
Standard lead time is 15 to 20 working days from artwork approval and payment. That includes production and delivery. If you need your rolls faster, contact Print Lord as early as possible to discuss options.
Minimum order is 100 rolls (typically supplied in boxes of 20), with bulk discounts available for larger quantities. If you run multiple locations, you can order centralised stock with location-specific customisation if needed.
Step 5: Seasonal Considerations for April
April brings several opportunities for seasonal messaging on your receipts:
Easter falls on 20 April 2026. If you run a café, restaurant, retail shop, or hospitality business, Easter promotions on your receipts can drive sales. Think Easter menu previews, seasonal product launches, or limited-time offers.
Spring collections are a natural fit for fashion retail. Use your receipts to promote new arrivals, spring sale dates, or exclusive shopping events.
Outdoor events and hospitality pick up in April as the weather improves. Sports venues, event bars, and outdoor hospitality businesses can use receipts to promote upcoming fixtures, booking links, or merchandise.
End of tax year (5 April in the UK) is relevant for B2B or professional services. If your customers are businesses, April is a good time to promote bulk orders, business accounts, or invoice payment options.
Plan your messaging to align with what your customers care about in April. Seasonal relevance increases engagement and response rates.
Step 6: Set Up Tracking and Measurement
If you are printing QR codes, discount codes, or social media calls to action, make sure you have tracking in place before your rolls go live.
Print Lord can help you set up QR codes with usage reporting, so you know exactly how many customers are scanning. For discount codes, make sure your EPOS system can track redemptions. For social media growth, log your follower count weekly.
Without tracking, you have no idea if your receipts are working. With tracking, you can measure ROI, test different messaging, and optimise future campaigns.
Step 7: Reorder Before You Run Out
Once your April rolls are in use, monitor your stock levels. Running out of branded receipts mid-month and reverting to generic rolls breaks brand consistency and wastes the investment you have already made.
Track how many receipts you print per week, and reorder with enough lead time to avoid gaps. Print Lord can help you plan reorder schedules based on your transaction volume.
Why Print Lord Is Your Expert Partner for Ongoing Till Roll Strategy
Print Lord is not just a supplier. We are a print and design partner who understands both the technical requirements of thermal printing and the marketing strategy behind branded receipts.
Unlike commodity till roll suppliers or machine providers who know nothing about design, Print Lord knows exactly what we are doing. We guide you through design planning, QR code setup with usage reporting, colour matching, artwork requirements, and production timelines.
We have worked with major brands like Brewdog, Uber, and Specsavers, as well as independent restaurants, retail shops, fashion brands, sports venues, and hospitality businesses across the UK. The businesses that win are the ones who treat their receipts as a marketing asset, plan ahead, and work with partners who understand both print and strategy.
Custom printed EPOS thermal rolls are available in single colour all the way through to full colour. Designs repeat, so careful planning is essential to get at least one complete message per typical receipt print-out length. Print Lord ensures your receipts look professional, deliver results, and work within your EPOS system.
Your April Checklist
Here is your actionable plan for getting custom printed till rolls ready for April:
By 31 March:
– Define your April campaign goal (repeat purchases, reviews, loyalty, social growth, seasonal offer)
– Plan your receipt design and messaging
– Prepare your artwork or request templates from Print Lord
By 5 April:
– Submit artwork to Print Lord for review
– Approve proof and confirm payment
By 15 April:
– Receive your custom printed till rolls (standard lead time)
– Load rolls into your EPOS system and test print quality
By 20 April:
– Monitor stock levels and track campaign performance (QR scans, redemptions, social growth, reviews)
– Plan your May reorder if needed
This timeline ensures you have branded receipts ready for the bulk of April, with enough time to measure results and plan ahead for May.
Ready to Get Started?
If you want branded receipts working for you in April, the time to act is now. Print Lord can guide you through the entire process, from design and QR code setup to print and delivery.
Whether you need single colour simplicity or full colour impact, we ensure your receipts work as hard as you do. Every receipt is a chance to reinforce your brand, drive reviews, promote loyalty, or boost your next sale.
Order your custom printed till rolls today at shop.printlord.co.uk/product/custom-printed-epos-till-roll and make April the month your receipts start working for you.
Print Lord. At your service. On brand. On time.
printlord.co.uk