Pistonlog doesn't process card payments itself. The flow is: raise and issue the invoice, get it in front of the customer, take the money however you take money (cash, your card machine, bank transfer), then record the payment against the invoice so the books match.
The flow
Raise and issue the invoice
On the jobcard's Invoices tab, click Create invoice, check the draft, then Issue Invoice. This assigns the invoice number, sets the due date from your payment terms, and locks the document. See Issuing an invoice.
Get it to the customer
Send Invoice emails a summary with a View invoice button that opens the full document in the customer portal (no PDF attached; the recipient is the customer on the invoice). Or use Print / PDF for a paper copy to hand over. If bank transfer details are set up in your settings, they appear on the invoice.
Take the payment
However suits you both: cash at the desk, your own card machine, cheque, or a bank transfer against the details on the invoice. This step happens outside Pistonlog.
Record it
Click Record payment on the invoice and enter the amount (pre-filled with the balance due), plus an optional reference and note. The status flips to PAID, or PART PAID if there's still a balance. See Recording a manual payment.
Instalments and deposits
Record each payment as it arrives; the invoice sits at PART PAID until the total is covered. There's no limit on the number of payments against one invoice.
Overpayments and mistakes
The payment dialog rejects amounts above the balance due, and recorded payments can't be edited or removed afterwards. If the paperwork ends up wrong, correct it through Amend or Cancel on the invoice (both issue a credit note). See Amending an invoice.
Chasing late payers
Once an unpaid invoice passes its due date it shows an OVERDUE badge on the Invoices page, so a quick filter on Issued and Sent is your chase list. Resend Invoice sends the email again with the same portal link.