How to Use a Credit Card Manual Imprinter

When credit cards were introduced, one of the reasons they had raised digits was for processing. Manual credit card processors use a carbon-copy purchase slip to record the card information. Electronic credit card processing has almost eliminated manual imprinters, but they are handy to keep around. If the network for credit card processing is down, you can always use a manual imprinter. Using a manual imprinter is not as quick as swiping a credit card, but it doesn't take long and it's not difficult.

Position the purchase slip on top of the card, in the position you determined in Step One. Slip the edges of the purchase slip underneath the tabs on the imprinter.

Place the credit card on the manual imprinter. The side with the raised credit card number and customer name should face up.

Hold the imprinter down firmly, slide the bow across the purchase slip quickly, and then pull it back. Examine the slip. If the card number, expiration date and customer name are not dark enough, repeat the process.

Line up the purchase slip with the credit card to determine the correct imprinter position. Purchase slips have a special section to imprint card information on; if you imprint one upside down, you'll have to start over.

Enter the total amount onto the purchase slip. Ask the customer to sign the slip, and then give him one of the tear-off copies. Keep the original in the cash register, or wherever your business normally keeps them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy