> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.simplyprint.io/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# The Filament Label Generator feature: organize your filament inventory

# The Filament Label Generator feature: organize your filament inventory

Create professional labels for your filament spools with QR codes, barcodes, and custom text. The label generator lets you design, preview, and print labels directly from your filament inventory - helping you keep your spools organized and easily scannable.

|| Some label generator features require specific plans. See the feature breakdown below.

The full label generator - with all settings, presets, and customization options - is available on web. The iOS and Android apps support generating labels using your saved presets.

![Label generator modal showing a preview with QR codes and filament data](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-label-generator-previ_1k3or5s.png)

---

## What you can do with the label generator

- **Generate QR codes** that link directly to your filament's page in SimplyPrint - scan with your phone to see all details
- **Add barcodes** using the filament's short ID for quick identification
- **Display filament data** like brand, material, color, weight, location, and more
- **Use templates and variables** to create custom label layouts
- **Print directly** to thermal label printers without downloading files
  - [Direct print with Zebra printers](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-direct-print-with-zebra-printers-1xt1fff/)
  - [Direct print with DYMO printers](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-direct-print-with-dymo-printers-2ji9tf/)
- **Download as PDF or PNG** for printing on regular printers or label sheets

---

## Opening the label generator

1. Go to **Filament** in the left menu
2. Select one or more filament spools
3. Click the **Labels** button in the toolbar

![Filament list with spools selected and Labels button highlighted](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-filament-list-labels-_q46lb2.png)

The label generator opens as a modal with a live preview on the left and settings on the right.

---

## Generating labels on mobile

The SimplyPrint app for iOS and Android lets you generate labels directly from your phone. While the full label customization is only available on web, the app can generate labels using built-in presets or any custom presets you've saved via the web platform.

### How to generate labels in the app

1. Open the SimplyPrint app and tap the sidebar menu
2. Go to **Filament**
3. Tap on a filament spool to open the spool view
4. Tap the **Generate QR code** button
5. Select the label preset you want to use (defaults to your account default or last-used preset)
6. Choose **Download as PDF** or **Print/Share**

The **Print/Share** option opens your phone's native share menu, letting you send the PDF to any app - including direct printing on compatible printers.

![Generating labels in the SimplyPrint mobile app](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-app-support_1wtnrdy.png)

| To create or edit label presets, use the web platform. Your saved presets will automatically be available in the mobile app.

---

## Presets and page sizes

The label generator includes built-in presets for common label formats:

| Category | Examples |
| -------- | -------- |
| Page sizes | A4, A5, A3, Letter, Legal (portrait/landscape) |
| Zebra rolls | 100×150mm, 100×50mm, 57×32mm, 50×25mm |
| DYMO labels | 99012, 30256, 30252, 30332, 30336 |
| Avery sheets | 5160, 5163, L7160, L7163, and many more |

You can also create **custom presets** with your own dimensions and save them for future use.

| Use the quick filter chips (A4/A5/A3, Letter/Legal, Labels, Custom) to narrow down the preset list.

![Preset dropdown showing different categories](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-preset-dropdown_1ig0g1i.png)

---

## Text and data settings

Control what information appears on your labels with four text modes:

### None
No text - only the QR code or barcode is shown. Useful for minimal labels or when space is tight.

![Text mode: None](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-text-settings-none_1l9amtr.png)

### ID only
Shows only the filament's short ID in large text. The QR code is positioned to the right.

![Text mode: ID only](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-text-settings-id-only_glzly1.png)

### Simple
Pick from a list of fields to display:
- Short ID
- Brand
- Material
- Color (with optional color dot)
- Total grams
- Location path

Each field appears on its own line. You can toggle **monospace font** for the Short ID to make characters like 0 and O more distinct.

![Text mode: Simple with field checkboxes](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-text-settings-simple_1m0a5rf.png)

### Custom
Write your own template using variables and basic markdown formatting. This gives you full control over the label layout.

**Example custom template:**
```
## **{shortId}**
**{brand} {material}**
{color} · {gramsTotal}g
```

![Text mode: Custom with template editor](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-text-settings-custom_1877gos.png)

---

## Variables

Variables let you insert filament data into your labels. Use them in curly braces like `{variableName}`.

### Common variables

| Variable | Description | Example |
| -------- | ----------- | ------- |
| `{shortId}` | 4 character UID | AB12 |
| `{brand}` | Brand name | Prusament |
| `{material}` | Material type | PLA |
| `{color}` | Color name | Galaxy Black |
| `{colorHex}` | Hex color code | #1A1A2E |
| `{gramsTotal}` | Total spool weight | 1000 |
| `{gramsLeft}` | Remaining grams | 750 |
| `{locationPath}` | Storage location | Shelf A / Box 2 |
| `{url}` | QR code URL | sp3d.io/f/ABC123 |

### Temperature and cost variables

| Variable | Description |
| -------- | ----------- |
| `{nozzleTemp}` | Nozzle temperature (°C) |
| `{bedTemp}` | Bed temperature (°C) |
| `{costFormatted}` | Spool cost with currency |
| `{costPerKgFormatted}` | Cost per kg formatted |

### Date variables

| Variable | Description |
| -------- | ----------- |
| `{purchasedDatePretty}` | Purchase date (Jan 15, 2024) |
| `{createdDateShort}` | Created date (01/15/24) |
| `{today}` | Today's date (YYYY-MM-DD) |

Click **See available variables** in the custom template editor to view the full list with example values.

![Variable help modal showing available variables](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-variables-modal_l6f5u4.png)

---

## QR codes and barcodes

### Code type

Choose between:
- **QR code** - Links to the filament's page in SimplyPrint. Scan with any phone camera.
- **Barcode** - Shows the filament's short ID. Useful for barcode scanners.
- **None** - Text only, no code.

### QR code options

| Setting | Description |
| ------- | ----------- |
| **Branding** | SimplyPrint logo (Free), None (Basic+), or Custom logo (Basic+) |
| **Style** | Square, Rounded, or Dots pattern |
| **Placement** | Left or right side of the label |
| **Size** | Adjustable from 0-100% of available space |
| **Color** | Custom QR code color (Basic+) |
| **Error correction** | L/M/Q/H - higher levels survive more damage |

|| QR customization (removing the SimplyPrint logo, custom logos, styling, and colors) requires the Basic plan or higher.

When using a center logo, error correction is automatically set to High (H) to ensure the code remains scannable.

![QR code settings panel](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-qr-settings_km4s9p.png)

### Barcode options

Choose from symbologies like Code 128 or Code 39. Adjust the barcode size to fit your label.

---

## Layout settings

Fine-tune your label layout with these options:

### Grid
- **Columns and rows** - How many labels per page
- **Spacing** - Gap between labels (in mm)

### Margins
- **Page margins** - Distance from paper edge to first label
- **Safe area** - Padding inside each label cell

### Other options
- **Borders** - Show grid lines, cell borders, or none
- **Vertical align** - Top, center, or bottom alignment within cells
- **Black & white mode** - Forces all colors to black for thermal printers
- **Skip labels** - Leave empty cells at the start (useful for partially-used label sheets)
- **Copies** - Print multiple copies of each label

![Layout settings panel with grid and margin options](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-layout-settings_1cv09j3.png)

### Verifying dimensions

Use the **Tools** button in the live preview to verify your label dimensions before printing:

- **Show rulers** - Displays cm/inch rulers along the edges
- **Show grid** - Overlays a measurement grid
- **Measure tool** - Click two points to measure exact distances

The preview header shows page and label dimensions (e.g., "Page: 210.0mm × 297.0mm · Label: 63.5mm × 38.1mm").

| If printed labels don't match the preview, the issue is usually your printer settings - not SimplyPrint. See [Fixing label printing alignment issues](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-fixing-label-printing-alignment-issues-1gyockj/) for troubleshooting.

---

## Printing your labels

### Print from browser

Click **Print** to open your browser's print dialog. The label generator sets up the correct page size automatically.

| For best results, disable "Scale to fit" and set margins to "None" in your browser's print settings.

![Browser print dialog with label preview](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-browser-print-dialog_19m0fhb.png)

### Download PDF

Click **Download PDF** to generate a high-quality PDF file. This is ideal for:
- Printing later
- Sending to a print shop
- Archiving your label designs

### Download PNG

For single-page layouts, you can download as PNG image. Multi-page layouts download as a ZIP file containing one PNG per page.

### Copy to clipboard

Single-page labels can be copied directly to your clipboard for pasting into other applications.

![Download button dropdown showing PDF, PNG, and clipboard options](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-download-options_rpelpu.png)

---

## Direct print (Zebra and DYMO)

Direct print lets you send labels straight to a connected Zebra or DYMO label printer without downloading files or using the browser print dialog.

|| Direct print requires the Pro plan.

### Supported printers

- **Zebra** - ZD, ZT, and GK series thermal printers via Zebra Browser Print
- **DYMO** - LabelWriter series via DYMO Web Service

### How to use direct print

1. Connect your label printer to your computer
2. Install the required software:
   - Zebra: [Zebra Browser Print](https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printer-software/by-request-software.html)
   - DYMO: [DYMO Web Service](https://www.dymo.com/support)
3. Click **Direct print** in the label generator
4. Select your printer brand
5. Choose your printer from the dropdown
6. Click **Send**

Once configured, the label generator remembers your printer. Future prints show a **Send to [Printer]** button for one-click printing.

![Direct print selector showing Zebra and DYMO options](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/overview-direct-print-options_pw75xf.png)

### Label size compatibility

DYMO printers only support specific label sizes. If your current preset doesn't match a supported DYMO label, you'll see a warning. Click **View supported sizes** to see compatible label dimensions.

---

## Saving custom presets
After changing the label design, click **Save as...** in the bottom action bar and give the preset a name. On mobile, the control appears as a green save icon. When editing an existing user preset, click **Save** to update it or use the arrow beside it and choose **Save as new...** to keep both versions.

Saved designs appear under **User Presets**. See [Saving and managing custom filament label presets](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/saving-and-managing-custom-filament-label-presets-17xvubt/) for the full create, update, copy, rename, delete, permission, and troubleshooting guide.

---

## Tips and best practices

- **Test on plain paper first** - Print a test page before using expensive label stock
- **Use black & white mode** for thermal printers - Colored elements won't print correctly on thermal labels
- **Include the short ID** on every label - It's the quickest way to identify a spool
- **Keep QR codes large enough** - Small QR codes may not scan reliably, especially with logos
- **Use high error correction** for labels that may get damaged or dirty

${youtube}[Applying a filament label to a spool](7SyRrX6tdI4)

---

## Related articles

- [Saving and managing custom filament label presets](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/saving-and-managing-custom-filament-label-presets-17xvubt/)
- [Managing your filament inventory](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/the-filament-manager-feature-track-organize-and-manage-your-filament-inventory-bpy529/)
- [Direct print with Zebra printers](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-direct-print-with-zebra-printers-1xt1fff/)
- [Direct print with DYMO printers](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-direct-print-with-dymo-printers-2ji9tf/)

---

## Feature availability by plan

| All label generator features are available on the Pro plan. Print Farm and School plans include everything from Pro.

| Feature | Free | Basic | Pro |
| ------- | ---- | ----- | --- |
| Generate labels (PDF/PNG) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in presets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom presets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| QR code with SimplyPrint logo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remove QR logo / custom logo | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| QR styling (rounded, dots) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom QR/text colors | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct print (Zebra/DYMO) | — | — | ✓ |