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Flourish Software's  

Mid-to-Large Cannabis Operator

Equipment Guide

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Mid to Large Cannabis Operators Equipment Guide

Having the right cannabis seed-to-sale software, like Flourish Software, is only the first step in running your operations. You also need the right equipment.

We know how important it is to keep things simple, cost-effective, and reliable, especially when managing multiple licenses and facilities. That’s why we’ve curated just the essentials.

Whether you’re growing, processing, or selling cannabis, this guide will help you get the tools you need to stay compliant and efficient without overspending or overcomplicating your setup.

Note: Our guide will satisfy most of our operators' equipment needs. If you have any questions, reach out for a free consultation.

Equipment Needs by License Type

License Type Label Printer Plant Labels Plant Tags Inventory Labels Receipt Printer Receipt Paper Scanner Cash Drawer
Cultivator ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ⭐ ❌
Manufacturer ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌
Distributor ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌
Retailer ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

Legend

✅: Yes

❌: No

⭐: Nice to Have

💻 Computer Requirements and Recommendations (PC)

We strongly recommend using a PC over a Mac for printer connectivity and the overall Flourish experience. Zebra and Epson printers work far more reliably on Windows

NOTE: Macs rely on third-party CUPS drivers, which can be unreliable. To avoid issues, ensure your printer is connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet rather than USB.


Category Minimum Requirements Recommended Setup
Operating System Windows 10 Windows 10 or higher
Best compatibility with printers and Flourish
Processor (CPU) Intel i5 (10th Gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
Faster performance, smoother multitasking
Memory (RAM) 8 GB 16 GB+
For running multiple apps, large datasets, & reporting
Storage 256 GB SSD 512 GB SSD or higher
Faster boot times & better performance
Optional Peripherals PC Laptop or Desktop • Touchscreen All-in-One PC
• External Monitor (dual-screen)
• Ergonomic Keyboard & Mouse

🖨️ Label Printers: Go Direct Thermal

As a small cannabis operator, you need cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-manage labeling solutions that are not overengineered or expensive to maintain. That’s why we recommend Direct Thermal (DT) printers for nearly all labeling needs.

What is Direct Thermal Printing?  Direct thermal printers use heat to create images directly on specially coated labels—no ink, toner, or ribbons required. This makes them simple, efficient, and affordable.

Plant tag

Direct thermal cannabis plant label (2" x 1") stapled on tag

Why Direct Thermal is Better for Most Cannabis Operators

Feature Direct Thermal Label Printing (DT) Thermal Transfer Label Printing (TT)
Supplies Needed Only labels Requires labels + ribbons
Ongoing Costs Low High – Ribbons need constant replacement
Maintenance Minimal Printhead & roller cleaning
Complexity Plug-and-print More moving parts, steeper learning curve
Best Use Case Standard cannabis labels (compliance, inventory, packaging) Long-term labels in harsh environments
Label Durability 6–12 months (more than enough for cannabis workflows) 1–5+ years
Budget Fit Great for lean teams Higher total cost of ownership

When Would You Need Thermal Transfer Printing?

Only if you're printing: 

  • Plastic collar tags for long-term plant tracking outdoors

  • Glossy, premium retail labels with long shelf life and heat/scratch resistance

  • Even then, many customers opt for a budget-friendly workaround (i.e., stapling tags) or outsource premium label runs to a print shop.

    Thermal transfer cannabis plant collar

 

Direct Thermal vs Thermal Transfer Labeling

Learn more about DT vs TT Label Printing from our blog

 🖨️ Recommended Label Printers

Choose from one of our trusted models that should suit your needs.

We recommend 3 models depending on your needs:

Zebra ZD411 Series Printers

    • Compact and cost-effective
    • WiFi + Ethernet compatible
    • Ideal for most operators to print general product labels or retail dispensaries to reprint product labels
    • Comes in DT 203 DPI (~$310) or DT 300 DPI (~$390)*
    • Can be used for plant labels

*Dots Per Inch. (Use 300 DPI if printing small fonts or barcodes)


Estimating Label Printer Needs by Facility Scale and Workflow*

Operator Type Plant Count Package Volume Recommended Printers (#) Notes
Mid-Size Operator 5,000–15,000 <1,000/month 1 per facility Add a 2nd printer if plant & packaging operations run concurrently
Large Operator 15,000+ Multi-thousand/month
  • 1 per facility/license (min)
  • 1 spare printer per facility (min)
  • Typically 2–4 per facility, depending on workflow segmentation
  • Use departmental segmentation for larger facilities
  • Recommend keeping a backup to avoid downtime

* These are our internal recommendations. Please consult your Director of Operations before making larger purchases.


🏷️ Supported Labels and Sizes

 🔍 Recommended Scanners 

🧾 Receipt Printers – Our One-and-Done Recommendation

For cannabis retail dispensary operators using Flourish POS Software, we kept it simple.

Epson TM-T88VII Thermal Receipt Printer (~$385)

Epson TM-T88VII Thermal Receipt Printer - Image 3

  • Connectivity: USB + Ethernet (both included)
  • Durability: Built to last in busy retail environments
  • Blazing-fast printing for high-volume checkouts
  • Auto-Cutter: Included – reduces jams and speeds up transactions
  • WiFi Option: Add Epson USB Wireless Dongle (~$105)

Epson USB Wireless Dongle

🧻 Receipt Paper

You'll need 3 1/8” thermal receipt rolls, the industry standard for this printer. We recommend 10 Rolls to start. 

💵 Cash Drawer: Keeping it Simple, Keeping  it Safe
APG Minota 16×16 Cash Drawer (~$96)

APG Minota 16x16 Cash Drawer

  • Connects to the receipt printer
  • It opens automatically after a sale
  • Tip: Test the drawer by printing a receipt

🔧 Setup Guide (No IT Team Needed)

 🏷️Label & Receipt Printers

  1. Plug in the power, load the labels or paper

  2. Connect your printer: USB or Ethernet (PC)

  3. Download QZ Tray for printing

  4. Optional: Set a static IP address to keep your printer online. Why Static IPs? 

      • If your power goes out and your printer uses DHCP, your network might assign a new IP address—breaking the connection.
      • Static IP = fewer headaches.

🖨️Printer Troubleshooting

  1. Confirm power and cables are secure

  2. Double-check the IP address

  3. Ensure network ports are open

  4. If using static IPs, make sure it’s in your subnet

🔍 Scanner Setup

  1. Plug in and turn on the scanner

  2. Start scanning into any text field (Notepad, Word, Excel)

  3. If it doesn’t scan:

  • Try a different USB port
  • Test in another application
  • Check for firmware updates

📹 Helpful Videos

Need Equipment Financing? If you have 3 months of operating history, click here to explore options with our partner FundCanna.

Fundcanna