An imprinter is a manual device used to get an "imprint" of the credit card for off-site sales or when the credit card terminal is unable to obtain an authorization response (phone line problems, credit card system outage, etc). A multi-part form is used to capture the credit card's embossed information as seen in the animation below. Purchase transaction details are required to be written on this form (date, amount, item description, etc.,) and the cardholder must sign as well.

Merchants still must obtain a voice authorization if phone lines are available at the time of card imprint.