Zebra Printer Installation
- Daryl Saunders (Unlicensed)
- Shonal Singh
- Allison Derome (Unlicensed)
- Alex Morrisson
Overview
BUZ Software only works with Zebra Label Printers that use ZPL II at time of writing the current recommended model is ZT230 203 dpi with Network Connect and Thermal Transfer.
We recommend the network version either Ethernet or WiFi so that it can easily be shared by multiple people, our experience is sharing via a single computer from time to time mean the printer is unavailable and staff tend not to appreciate why something as simple as that computer not being turned on first.
Thermal Transfer means that it uses a ribbon to print on to the labels and the alternative is Direct Thermal this uses heat to print like most credit card receipt printers use, the down side of this is that it fades and can fade quickly if left in the sun. The ribbon also reduces the wear on the head, the head is the most expensive part to replace and does wear out with use.
Many ask why not the GK420T, this printer will do what we ask it to do but it is a low to medium volume printer that will not hold enough labels to run a full manufacturing area. The Labels are usually 3 to 4 per item and if you have an average of 10 items per order this is 30 to 40 per order. If you are buying 3 or 4 of them you could get away with it. For the volume you are going to use the industrial ZT230 is what you need.
Label Details
The standard label design is for labels 100mm X 25mm, there is also an 100mm X 19mm for edge of doors. Labels can be changed to meet specific requirements at a cost. Refer to Zebra Programming and Label Format for details on labels.
Information on the labels:
Each label has its own barcode so each item on the order can be scanned through the system and if there is an issue with 1 item on the order this can be flagged and not stop the whole order from proceeding
There are usually 3 to 4 labels printed per item and they customarily go on the
Metal Head box or Tubing
Material
The outside of the plastic wrap once assembles
Last but not least on the box they are sent out in
On this page:
Adding the Label Printer to Workstations
From Start Menu choose Devices and Printers (below Control Panel)
Select Add a printer from top.
Then select Add a local printer
Check Create a new port:
From dropdown choose Standard TCP/IP Port
Hostname or IP address: 192.168.0.200 (This is the number assigned when configuring the printer)
Untick Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use
Click Next
Install the printer driver: Manufacturer = Generic Printer = Generic / Text Only
Call it LABEL, don't set as default, don't share it, don't print test page
Windows option 2
Add the printer manually. When you add a device, Windows searches the Windows Store to see if there’s an app for that device from the manufacturer. If there’s one, Windows automatically installs it.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen or Windows Key-C, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Tap or click PC and devices, and tap or click Devices.
Tap or click Add a device. Then select the device you want from the list of devices that Windows discovers.
Zebra ZT231
FAQ about the Zebra ZT230 to ZT231 transition
Are my existing label designs for the ZT230 printers going to be compatible with the ZT231? Yes, ZT231 printers have been tested to ensure backwards compatibility with previous label formats and settings.
Do the new printers support the same accessory kits for media handling (peeler/cutter/label takeup) and network connectivity (LAN, WLAN, BT) as the previous models? While ZT231 printers offer the same accessory options of previous models, accessory kits are not interchangeable across old and new models. ZT231 is launching with a full array of media handling, print resolution, and communication accessories.
Is a parallel port option available on these new ZT231 models? Parallel port support has been removed from the ZT231 series of printers. The ZT411 printers may be a good option if parallel connectivity is required.
Zebra ZT230 (Replaced by ZT231)
We recommend the ZT230 thermal transfer, network printer, ZPL II language. This replaced the S4M in 2012.
This is the link to the Zebra ZT230 Support page https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/industrial/zt230.html from here there are a number of instructional videos and a manuals section where these can be downloaded.
Zebra S4M (Replaced by ZT230)
The Zebra S4M User Guide can be downloaded at: https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/zebra/manuals/en-us/printer/s4m-ug-en.pdf
Page 72 describes adjusting the Label Top Position.
Network Setup
This is the link to the ZebraNet Wired and Wireless Print Server User Guide. https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/zebra/manuals/en-us/networking/zebranet-wired-wireless-ug-en.pdf
Page references refer to this manual and the test below is taken from it.
Finding out the current IP address
Printing a Configuration Label (Page 28)
Before you begin, you need to get information from the 10/100 PS configuration label.
In order to print the 10/100 PS configuration label.
To print a 10/100 PS configuration label, complete these steps:
1. Turn on (I) the printer and let it complete its power-up cycle.
2. When the POST cycle is complete, press the Test button, located on the network card at back, and hold it in for a few seconds
before you release it.
A 10/100 PS configuration label prints. Your configuration label looks similar to
Setting the Printer’s IP
Using WebView (Page 36)
This section has step-by-step instructions for setting up an alert using ZebraLink™ WebView.
To begin receiving notification of errors, complete these steps:
1. Open a Web browser.
2. In the Address text-box, type in the printer’s IP address.
When asked default UserID = admin and Password = 1234
The Printer Home Page opens.
Choose Print Server Settings and Status and Configuration opens.
Choose Print Server and Print Server Configuration opens.
Choose TCP/IP Configuration and TCP/IP Configuration opens.
Set the IP Address preferrably set the last number to an available number in the range 200-254 while retaining the first 3 numbers from the current IP.
Set IP Address Resolution = Permanent.
Click Submit Changes and a screen appears with a link saying the The unit must be reset for new values to take effect. Clicking the link presents a Reset Y/N, entering Y printer should reset.
Using the Test Button (Page 47)
To default the 10/100 PS to factory settings using the Test button, complete
these steps:
The Test button is accessed via a small recessed hole on the back of the external 10/100 PS
device (see Figure 3 on page 23). For the internal 10/100 PS device, the Test button is located
on the back of printer. To press the Test button, you need to insert something small into the
hole, like the end of a paperclip.
1. Turn off (O) the printer.
2. With the printer turned off (l), press and hold the Test button on the 10/100 PS device and
turn on the printer.
3. The status indicator tells you when 10/100 PS has been reset to factory defaults, as
follows:
• If an active network cable is connected to the 10/100 PS, the status indicator turns
solid green. When this happens, you can release the Test button.
• If there is not an active network cable connected to the 10/100 PS, the status indicator
flashes red. When this happens, you can release the Test button.
• For more details on status indicators, see 10/100 PS Network Status/Activity Indicator
on page 99.