Filament label generation: Direct print with Zebra printers

Zebra thermal printers are the go-to choice for industrial and warehouse labeling - they're fast, durable, and designed for high-volume printing. With SimplyPrint's direct print feature, you can send filament labels straight to your Zebra printer from your browser.

What is direct print?

Direct print sends labels from SimplyPrint directly to your connected Zebra printer. No file downloads, no switching apps - just click "Direct print" and your labels start printing.

Benefits:

• Streamlined workflow - print without leaving SimplyPrint
• Print single labels or batches instantly
• Works with any ZPL-compatible Zebra printer
• Great for warehouse and production environments

Requirements

Before you can use direct print with Zebra, make sure you have:

Zebra Browser Print

You need Zebra Browser Print installed on your computer. This software enables web applications to communicate with your Zebra printer.

Download: Zebra Browser Print (free from zebra.com)

Supported operating systems

Compatible Zebra printers

SimplyPrint works with any ZPL-compatible Zebra printer, including:

Desktop printers:

• ZD410, ZD411
• ZD420d, ZD421
• ZD620d, ZD621
• GK420D, GX420D

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Industrial printers:

• ZT230, ZT231
• ZT410, ZT411
• ZT610, ZT620
• 105SL Plus

Mobile printers:

• ZQ310, ZQ320
• ZQ510, ZQ520
• ZQ610, ZQ620

Most Zebra thermal printers from the last 10+ years should work.

Supported label sizes

SimplyPrint includes presets for common Zebra label sizes:

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You can also create custom sizes for any label stock your Zebra printer uses. For high-volume printing, consider bulk label rolls (57×32mm, 16 rolls).

Custom label sizes

1. Select "Custom" from the preset dropdown
2. Enter your label width and height in millimeters
3. Adjust margins and grid as needed
4. SimplyPrint calculates the print area automatically

Setup

Step 1: Install Zebra Browser Print

1. Download Zebra Browser Print from zebra.com
2. Run the installer for your operating system
3. Follow the installation prompts
4. The service starts automatically when installation completes

Step 2: Connect your printer

1. Connect your Zebra printer via USB, network, or Bluetooth
2. Make sure the printer is powered on and ready
3. Print a test label using the printer's built-in function to verify it works

Step 3: Open the label generator

1. Go to SimplyPrint on the web
2. Open the Filament Manager
3. Select one or more spools and click Labels
4. Choose a Zebra preset from the dropdown (e.g., "Roll 100×50 mm")

Printing your first label

1. Design your label in the label generator
2. Click the Direct print button in the bottom right

3. SimplyPrint connects to Zebra Browser Print and detects your printer
4. Select your printer from the dropdown (a green dot indicates it's connected)
5. Click Send to Zebra

Your label prints immediately. Once configured, SimplyPrint remembers your printer - you'll see a Send to Zebra button for quick one-click printing.

Alternative: Download ZPL files

If you can't use direct print - or prefer to print through other software - you can download your labels as ZPL files.

1. Click the Download dropdown
2. Select Download .zpl (Zebra)

This downloads a .zpl file you can send to your Zebra printer using:

• Zebra Setup Utilities
• Command line (copy file.zpl \\printer\share on Windows)
• Any ZPL-compatible print software

How visual mode prints

By default, when you use the visual label designer and click "Direct print", SimplyPrint:

1. Renders your label as a high-resolution image
2. Converts it to the appropriate format for your label size and DPI
3. Sends it to your Zebra printer

This works with any label design - including custom fonts, colors, and QR codes - but text may appear slightly less sharp than native ZPL printing because it's printing a rasterized image.

Image quality and DPI

SimplyPrint automatically adjusts the image resolution based on your printer's DPI:

Higher DPI printers produce sharper images.

When to use raw ZPL templates

For the sharpest possible text and maximum control, you can use raw ZPL templates. These send native Zebra Programming Language commands, resulting in crisp vector text and graphics.

Advanced: Raw ZPL templates

ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) is Zebra's native printer command language. For maximum quality and control, you can write or upload ZPL templates.

When to use ZPL

• You need the sharpest possible text quality
• You have existing ZPL template files
• You want precise control over label layout
• You're printing high volumes and want optimal quality
• You need to use Zebra-specific features (reverse print, rotation, etc.)

Enabling ZPL template mode

1. Select a Zebra preset in the label generator
2. Find the Template mode option in the settings panel
3. Click Zebra (ZPL) to switch from the visual designer to raw ZPL mode

The ZPL editor appears with helpful links to Labelary Online Viewer and Zebra Designer for creating templates.

Writing ZPL templates

Enter your ZPL code in the editor. SimplyPrint shows a live preview of how your label will look:

You can use the Upload file button to load existing .zpl files, or Download example to get a starting template.

Variable interpolation

Use dynamic variables in your ZPL templates with the {variableName} syntax. SimplyPrint replaces these with actual spool data when printing.

Example ZPL with variables:

^XA
; SimplyPrint Example ZPL Template
; Label size: 100mm x 50mm at 203 DPI

^PW799
^LL400

; QR Code with filament URL
^FO16,16
^BQN,2,5
^FDQA,{url}^FS

; Short ID
^FO250,300^A0N,60,60^FD{shortId}^FS
^XZ

Click Available variables to see all 64+ variables you can use, including {shortId}, {brand}, {material}, {color}, {gramsTotal}, {url}, and more.

→ See the filament label generator article for the complete variable reference.

ZPL command reference

See it in action

Troubleshooting

Zebra Browser Print not running

Problem: SimplyPrint shows a warning that the Zebra software isn't detected.

Solutions:

1. Make sure Zebra Browser Print is installed
2. Check if the service is running (look in system tray on Windows, menu bar on macOS)
3. Click Retry connection after starting the service
4. Restart your web browser if the connection still fails
5. Check firewall settings aren't blocking local connections

No printers found

Problem: Browser Print is running (yellow or green dot) but no printers appear in the list.

Solutions:

1. Check that your printer is connected (USB, network, or Bluetooth) and powered on
2. Click Refresh to scan for printers again
3. Open Zebra Browser Print's configuration and verify the printer appears there
4. Try setting your printer as the default device in Browser Print settings
5. Make sure no other application has exclusive access to the printer

Image quality issues

Problem: Printed labels look blurry or pixelated.

Solutions:

1. This can happen with image-based printing - consider using ZPL templates for crisp text
2. Verify your printer's DPI matches the label preset
3. Increase text size for better readability
4. Check that the label preset matches your actual label dimensions

Label size mismatch

Problem: Labels are printing at the wrong size or position.

Solutions:

1. Run a media calibration on your Zebra printer
2. Verify the label size in the preset matches your physical labels
3. Check the label sensor position (for gap-sensing)
4. Adjust media settings in the printer's configuration

Labels printing blank

Problem: Labels come out blank or with very faint printing.

Solutions:

1. Check that thermal labels are loaded correctly (print side up)
2. Verify you're using direct thermal labels, not thermal transfer (unless you have a ribbon)
3. Check the darkness/print density setting on your printer
4. Clean the print head

Print quality inconsistent

Problem: Some labels print well, others don't.

Solutions:

1. Clean the print head with a cleaning card
2. Check for debris on the platen roller
3. Verify labels are feeding straight
4. Check for worn or damaged print head (may need replacement on high-volume printers)

Related articles

• The filament label generator
• Direct printing with DYMO printers <!-- TODO; add link -->

Updated on: 23/12/2025