Looking for a better cloud receipt printer

The problem of remote printing

I have been looking for a solution to print out receipt-like stuff remotely, be it online food order or e-commerce shipping request.  As a geek person, I also wish it to be cheap enough to use.  So far I have not had great success in finding such a product/service.

A few promising candidates are:

Little Printer from BERG
Problem:

• Expensive. I mean, very expensive. 
• Not durable.  The construction fits for a hobby project, but not shop floor.

This little printer fits the bill except for its price tag.  I dont know about you guys; a little printer retails for $219 plus $40 shipping is insane to me.

 
SMS/GPRS Printer
Problem:

• Need to roll(develop) my own server infrastructure.
• Requires mobile data plan. (Expensive in Canada)

This $99 device is almost right for my purpose.  Only it is offered by some Chinese suppliers that I do not have a lot of faith in their software quality.

E-print, Cloud Print, Epson, HP, Canon
Problem:

• Large size. (Dont like a full size laser-jet on the desk.)
• Printing delivery by email, no API/Service for delivery status.
• Maintenance issue. (ink, toner, paper jam)

Google Clould Print
Problem:

• Can only use under someones gmail account.  Not ideal for large number of deployment.
• Requires computer(or Raspberry Pi).

Seriously, how difficult it is to make a receipt printer that fits my use case without breaking the bank?

• Connects on Lan/Wifi (Free if I already have internet)
• Easy to use API to print things.
• Provide server infrastructure at very low recurring charge. (Just like Twilio)
• And the printer sells for under $100

(I will post another article on my own version of cloud receipt printer soon)

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