This article explains how to print Global Blue documents using Italian RT devices. Global Blue is a company that specialises in processing VAT and sales tax refunds for tourist purchases.

To enable customers to claim a VAT refund when leaving the EU, the till must print a special document that also meets Global Blue’s formatting requirements.

As the print layout on RT devices is largely predefined, with the exception of a few freely definable elements, some adjustments must be made.

Implementation of functional requirements

• Print formatting in accordance with Global Blue (bold, centred, reverse print or alternative)
  • Centred text (manual formatting via the RetailForce service)
  • Bold
• Barcode support
• Graphics/logos (header and footer)
• Compatibility with EPSON RT devices

RetailForce merely provides the formatting options. The actual receipt content (text) must be generated by the upstream system (POS system) in accordance with Global Blue’s specifications.

Example Global Blue document

An example of a Global Blue document is shown below. The printout on EPSON RT devices is only approximately the same.

DocumentType

Global Blue documents are printed as NON-FISCAL receipts using the RetailForce "documentType": "[1001] = PrintingReceipt".

As this is a non-fiscal document, the RT device automatically adds the note 'NON-FISCAL'.

Formatting

To format the free-text elements of document type "[1001] = PrintingReceipt" correctly, RetailForce provides the following options (table). The formatting instructions must be passed as formatting tags in the free-text property. An example of this can be found below the table.

Example JSON Payload

Example of a JSON payload for a Global Blue document.

{
  "ModelVersion": "1.5.2",
  "UniqueClientId": "12f345fa-f123-41c8-bab0-8d8b46f77333",
  "AdditionalFields": {},
  "AutomaticVatCalculation": 0,
  "DocumentGuid": "85b18924-9131-4be0-a91a-c433c831f2f1",
  "DocumentId": "85b18924-9131-4be0-a91a-c433c831f2f1",
  "CreateDate": "2026-02-13T13:22:42.8323359+01:00",
  "BookDate": "2026-02-13T13:22:42.8323359+01:00",
  "DocumentType": "[1001] = PrintingReceipt",
  "User": {
    "Id": "123",
    "Caption": "TestUser"
  },
  "Positions": [
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "<CENTER>Global Blue</CENTER>",
      "PositionNumber": 1,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    },
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "*****Receipt*****",
      "PositionNumber": 2,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    },
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "<BOLD>Document Type</BOLD> Passport",
      "PositionNumber": 3,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    },
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "<BOLD>Passport Number or ID (for Switzerland only)</BOLD> X7777777",
      "PositionNumber": 4,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    },
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "<BOLD>Passport Country</BOLD> Russian Federation",
      "PositionNumber": 5,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    },
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "<BOLD>Full Name</BOLD> Traveller John",
      "PositionNumber": 6,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    },
    {
      "Type": "[2] = Text",
      "Text": "<BOLD>Permanent Home Address</BOLD> Test Street 123",
      "PositionNumber": 7,
      "AdditionalFields": {},
      "ExternalIdentifier": []
    }
  ]
}