Paper
Console PC-1
A handmade thermal printer for news, weather, puzzles, and more. Turn the dial, press the button, read the paper. No screen. No subscriptions. Built from walnut and brass.
Reserve a unit Limited run of 10 units
How to use it
Press the button when you need it, or schedule prints to show up throughout your day.
- Morning weather & forecast
- Daily calendar agenda
- Sunrise & sunset times
- Today's top headlines
- Unread email summary
- Latest post from a blog
- WiFi password slip for guests
- Grocery list before you leave
- To-do list for the day
- Meeting link QR code
- Contact card for networking
- Custom note or reminder
- Sudoku over breakfast
- Maze for the kids
- On this day in history
- Daily quote or poem
- Journal prompt to start your day
- Server status & uptime
What it prints
16 modules across three categories. Assign any combination to your 8 channels.
Content
Weather Live
Current conditions, hourly and 5-day forecast
News Live
Top headlines with QR links to full articles
RSS Feeds Live
Articles from any RSS feed URL
Email Live
Print unread emails from any IMAP inbox
Astronomy Local
Sun path, sunrise/sunset, and moon phase
Calendar Live
Day, week, or month view from iCal
On This Day Local
Historical events from today's date
Quotes Local
Random quote from a library of 5,000+
Journal Prompt Local
A writing prompt to start your day
Games
Sudoku Local
Generated puzzles in three difficulty levels
Maze Local
Printable mazes with start and end markers
Adventure Local
Choose-your-own-adventure using the dial
Utilities
Text / Note Local
Custom rich text with formatting
QR Code Local
URLs, WiFi, contacts, phone, and more
Webhook Live
Pull and print data from any API
System Monitor Local
IP, disk, memory, CPU, and uptime
How it works
01
Remove the faceplate
Push on the bottom of the faceplate to remove it.
02
Replace the roll
Open printer cover, insert new roll.
03
Pick a channel
Eight positions on the rotary dial, each loaded with the modules you choose.
04
Press the button
Your channel prints on 58mm thermal paper.
Configuration
- Paper console hosts a settings page on your local network. Open it from any browser on your phone or computer connected to the same network. No app to install, no cloud account needed.
- 8 channels, each with any combination of modules
- Drag and drop to reorder print sequences
- Schedule channels to print automatically
- Location, time format, and printer settings
- API keys stored locally, no cloud dependency
- Open source: Python, FastAPI, React
The build
Walnut enclosure, brass faceplate. Hand-built.
Details
Specifications
- Modules15+
- Channels8
- Paper58mm thermal paper
- ConnectivityLocal/Wifi
- EnclosureWalnut
- HardwareBrass dial + button
- SourceOpen source
- SubscriptionsNone
- Cloud dependencyNone
Questions
What kind of paper does it use?
Standard 58mm x 30mm thermal paper rolls, the same kind used in receipt printers. A roll lasts weeks of normal use and replacements cost a few dollars.
Does it need internet?
Some modules do (weather, news, email, RSS, calendar) but many work completely offline: sudoku, maze, quotes, journal prompts, on this day, text notes, and the adventure game all run locally.
Is there a monthly subscription?
No. You provide your own API keys for services that need them (like NewsAPI). The device itself has no ongoing costs beyond paper.
Can I customize what it prints?
Yes. There are 8 channels, each configurable with any combination of the 16 module types. Stack weather + sudoku + quotes on one channel, news + email on another. You configure everything through a web interface on your phone or computer.
What about security?
The device is offline by default — it makes no outbound connections on its own. When you press the button it fetches only what that channel needs. The settings UI runs as a local web server on your network, not exposed to the internet, and is password-protected. Only devices on the same network can reach it.
Is it open source?
Yes. The entire software stack (Python backend, React settings UI) is open source on GitHub at github.com/travmiller/paper-console. Modify, extend, or build your own modules.
How do I set it up?
Plug it in. It prints setup instructions with a WiFi network name and password. Connect to that network from your phone, open the setup page, enter your home WiFi credentials, and you're done. Takes about two minutes.
$495
10 units. Each hand-built to order.
In the box
- PC-1 unit with walnut enclosure
- Brass rotary dial and push button
- 58mm thermal printer
- Thermal paper roll 58mm x 30mm (2x)
- 5V 5A power supply and cables
- Quick start guide