Guides & articles
Learn ZPL, compare printer languages and solve common label printing problems.
Guides by label size
Guides by printer
Guides by ZPL command
Guides & articles
My Zebra says offline but is switched on: how to fix it
Your Zebra is powered on but Windows says offline? Check the queue, selected printer and USB or network connection step by step.
My computer does not detect my Zebra printer over USB: what to check
Your Zebra is connected but missing in Windows? Check power, USB cable and driver with straightforward steps to find the problem.
ZPL label cut off on the right: how to fix the print width
Is the end of your text or barcode missing on a Zebra label? Check ^PW, coordinates and printable width with a corrected ZPL example.
Zebra ZD220 printing blank labels: what to check
Does your ZD220 feed labels without printing anything? Check thermal media, ribbon and the configuration report before replacing the printhead.
Ñ and accented characters print incorrectly in ZPL: how to fix them
Does España print as España on a Zebra? Check UTF-8, ^CI28 and font coverage with two small ZPL examples that isolate accented-text problems.
ZPL label prints smaller after switching from 203 to 300 DPI
Your ZPL label shrinks on a 300 DPI printer? Recalculate positions, text and dimensions with a before-and-after example.
Zebra GK420d prints a vertical white line: what to check
Does your Zebra GK420d leave a white stripe on every label? Clean the printhead and compare a ZPL test before replacing parts.
Zebra ZD421 solid or flashing red light: what it means
Identify your Zebra ZD421 red light: STATUS, SUPPLIES, PAUSE or NETWORK. Troubleshoot media, ribbon, an open cover, overheating and network faults.
How to calibrate a Zebra ZD220 that skips labels
Calibrate your Zebra ZD220 with SmartCal. Release FEED after the two-flash group, avoid a factory reset, and troubleshoot skipped or misaligned labels.
Zebra ZD421: “Media Out” even though labels are loaded
Zebra ZD421 says Media Out but still has labels? Check the roll, sensor position and media type before calibrating. A visual troubleshooting guide.
How to calibrate a Zebra GK420d or GK420t step by step
Calibrate a Zebra GK420d or GK420t using the two-flash FEED group. Includes diagrams, seven-flash manual calibration and a ZPL print test.
How to calibrate a Zebra ZD421: SmartCal step by step
Calibrate your Zebra ZD421 with PAUSE + CANCEL. Align the media sensor, check label feeding and use manual calibration when SmartCal fails.
ZPL vs EPL: what’s the difference?
ZPL vs EPL for Zebra printers: what each language is, the key differences, how to tell which your printer or file uses, and how to convert EPL to ZPL.
What is a ZPL file? How to open it and convert it to PDF
Learn how to open a ZPL file, preview a shipping label and convert it to PDF with the right size and DPI. Includes an example and troubleshooting.
DPL vs ZPL: Datamax vs Zebra label languages (and how to convert)
What is DPL? Compare Datamax and Zebra label languages, identify your file and printer mode, and learn how to convert DPL to ZPL with practical checks.
What is ZPL? A beginner's guide to Zebra Programming Language
Learn what ZPL and .zpl files are, read a simple label line by line, understand ^GFA graphics, and start viewing, editing and exporting labels.
TSPL vs ZPL: what's the difference (and how to convert)
What is TSPL? Compare TSPL, TSPL2 and ZPL syntax, identify your printer language, understand TSPL-EZD emulation and convert TSPL to ZPL.
How to create a QR code in ZPL
Learn how to create, size and test QR codes in Zebra Programming Language with the ^BQ command.
ZPL barcode not scanning
Fix ZPL barcodes that do not scan: module width, height, quiet zones, DPI, darkness, symbology and printable examples for Zebra labels.
Zebra port 9100 blocked (EU RED)
New Zebra printer pings but won't print over TCP/IP? Port 9100 is disabled by default under EU RED. Enable it step by step with Zebra Nucleus Connector.
Zebra printer not printing
Zebra printer not printing or feeding blank labels? Fix pause/error states, media and ribbon, calibration, the data path and darkness — step by step.
Zebra printer skipping labels
Zebra printer skipping labels, feeding blanks or printing every other label? Set the right sensor, calibrate the media and fix the label length — step by step.
Zebra ribbon out error
Zebra printer showing Ribbon Out with a ribbon installed, or a wrinkled ribbon causing voids? Fix media type, ribbon loading, width and tension — step by step.
Zebra printer printing light or faded
Zebra labels printing light, faded or with a white line? Fix darkness, print speed, a dirty or worn printhead and media/ribbon quality — step by step.
Zebra printer prints garbled text
Zebra printing the ZPL code as text, random characters or wrong accented letters? Fix diagnostic mode, printer language, the driver and the code page — step by step.