The world of Zebra Desktop Printers is enormous.
Researching and purchasing new hardware can be stressful for many end users.
That’s one of the reasons that we like to create specialized content to help you make the best purchasing decisions possible.
This Guide to Zebra Desktop Printers is full of easy-to-understand information and specifications on all of the different printer models that are currently available.
Let’s get started…
The Guide to Zebra Desktop Printers
There are three families of Zebra Printers. They are as follows:
Mobile Printers
Desktop Printers
Industrial Printers
Each family of printers is made up of several different printer models.
Let’s take a look at each tier of hardware that makes up the family of Zebra Desktop Printers.
Zebra Performance Desktop “GX” Series
The Zebra GX Series is part of the “Performance Desktop” Series of printers. These are all printers with a 4” print width, used in medical, retail, warehouse, and asset tracking applications.
Zebra’s “Performance Desktop” printers deliver best-in-class print speeds and features for improved efficiency and profitability.
Each model offers a variety of connectivity options, easy upgrades and integration with ZPL and EPL (GX models only) programming languages and reduced total cost of ownership as ENERGY STAR qualified printers.
All GX “Performance Desktop” printers feature media specs of a 1” core, with a 5” outer diameter.
- Zebra GX420D – Features a 4” print width, with direct thermal printing capabilities, with 203 dpi images. Available with various interface options. The “420” signifies a dpi of 203. The “D” stands for direct thermal. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra GX420T – Features a 4” print width, with BOTH direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities, with 203 dpi images. This printer uses a ribbon to print thermal transfer images. Available with various interface options. The “420” signifies a dpi of 203. The “T” stands for thermal transfer. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra GX430T – Features a 4” print width, with thermal transfer printing capabilities. This printer does NOT offer any direct thermal printing. The images print at 300 dpi. Available with various interface options. The “430” stands for 300 dpi. The “T” stands for thermal transfer. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra ZD500 – Features a 4”print width, with both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities, with both 203 and 300 dpi images. This printer uses a ribbon for thermal transfer images. Available with various interface options. This printer is essentially a combination of all of the GX models. Check out our selection and prices here.
The Zebra GX420D
Zebra Advanced Desktop “GK” Series
The Zebra Advanced Desktop Series of Printers is essentially a more budget-friendly version of the Performance Desktop Series.
Remember that a budget-friendly printer does not constitute a “cheap printer”. All Zebra Desktop Printers are manufactured with the highest quality control standards.
These printers all feature media specs with a 1” core, and a 5” outer diameter.
- Zebra GK420D – Features a 4” print width, with direct thermal printing capabilities, and a 203 dpi image. Available with various interface options. This printer does NOT offer thermal transfer printing capabilities. The “420” stands for 203 dpi. The “D” stands for direct thermal. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra GK420T – Features a 4″ print width, with direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities, with a 203 dpi image. Available with various interface options. The “420” stands for 203 dpi. The “T” stands for thermal transfer. Check out our selection and prices here.
The Zebra GK420D
Zebra Value Desktop Series
The Zebra Value Desktop Series is a budget-friendly tier of printers for simple applications.
The Value Desktop Series is essentially the perfect entry-level label printer. If you have a simple printing application, then one of these printers has your name on it.
These printers all have media specs of 1” core, with a 5” outer diameter.
- Zebra GC420D – Features a 4” print width, with direct thermal printing capabilities, and a 203 dpi image. Available with different interface options. The “420” stands for 203 dpi. The “D” stands for direct thermal. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra GC420T – Features a 4” print width, with thermal transfer printing capabilities, and a 203 dpi image. You will need a ribbon to use this printer. Available with different interface options. The “420” stands for 203 dpi. The “T” stands for thermal transfer. Check out our selection and prices here.
The Zebra GC420D
Compact Desktop Printer Series
The Zebra Compact Desktop Printer Series features two Next Generation label printers: the ZD410 and the ZD420.
The ZD410 and ZD420 feature user-friendly control panels, easy-to-load media options, and ultra-compact profiles that are easy to fit into your work space.
At PLS, we offer the best prices on these Zebra Desktop Printers.
We’ve also created blog posts that explain the different specs and features of each printer.
Check out our blog post on the ZD410 here.
Check out our blog post on the ZD420 here.
The media specs for the Compact Desktop Printer Series are a 1” core, with a 5” outer diameter.
- Zebra ZD410 – This printer features a print width of 2”, with direct thermal printing capabilities, and a 203/300 dpi image, depending on the model. This high dpi makes the ZD410 unique. Available with different interface options. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra ZD420 – This printer features a print width of 4″, with direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities, and a 203/300 dpi image, depending on the model. The ZD420 is user-friendly and features an easy-to-load ribbon cartridge. Available with different interface options. Check out our selection and prices here.
- Zebra TLP 2824 Plus – This printer features a print width of 2”, with direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities, and a 203 dpi image. The “T” in TLP stands for thermal transfer. Available with different interface options. Check out our selection and prices here.
The Next Generation Zebra ZD410
We’ve also created Youtube videos to highlight the useful features and specs of the Zebra ZD410 and ZD420.
Check out our ZD410 video here.
Check out our ZD420 video here.
Cartridge Based Wristband Printers
The Cartridge Based Wristband Printer Series is solely comprised of the Zebra HC100.
The Zebra HC100 is a Wristband Printer that uses wristbands that are loaded into a cartridge. These wristband cartridges are then loaded into the printer.
This cartridge-based system allows end users to consistently print perfect wristbands.
Please note that the Zebra HC100 is not built for high-volume wristband printing. The HC100 print head will automatically shut down when it is overheated.
The HC100 is primarily used in healthcare applications, but it is also used in retail, outdoor, and sporting applications.
- Zebra HC100 – Features a print width of 1.1875″, with direct thermal printing capabilities, and 300 dpi images. Available with different interface options. Check out our selection and prices here.
The Zebra HC100 Wristband Printer
Wristbands can also be printed on other hardware, including Desktop and Industrial printers.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MANY OF THE PRINTERS IN THIS GUIDE ARE AVAILABLE IN A HEALTHCARE VERSION.
THE HEALTHCARE VERSION IS IDENTICAL TO THE STANDARD VERSION, EXCEPT FOR THE OUTER MATERIAL.
HEALTHCARE PRINTERS ARE ALL MADE FROM CHEMICAL-RESISTANT PLASTIC.
We hope that our guide to Zebra Desktop Printers has given you the information you need to make the best purchasing decisions possible.
Do you have any questions or concerns regarding Zebra Desktop Printers?
Contact Professional Label Solutions anytime at 1-844-458-1078, or email us at info@professionallabelsolutions.com. Our reps are happy to help!
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