Zebra ZD220 / ZD230

Zebra ZD220 and ZD230 are small desktop label printers for direct thermal or thermal transfer printing with a 104 mm print width. They work well where label volumes are low and budget matters: fixed asset tagging, offices, small warehouses, shipping and production workstations with few prints. ZD220 is the basic USB model, while ZD230 prints faster, takes a longer ribbon and can be factory-fitted with Ethernet or Wi-Fi. For large runs and multi-shift work, a semi-industrial printer such as the Zebra ZT111 is a better fit.

Key features

• Printing up to 102 mm/s (ZD220) or 152 mm/s (ZD230), 203 dpi: labels are ready on demand, and the resolution is enough for 1D and 2D barcodes, text and simple logos.
• OpenACCESS clamshell design: the printer opens like a lid and the roll is loaded without training, which matters more than speed for occasional printing.
• Rolls up to 127 mm in diameter on 12.7 or 25.4 mm cores, media width from 25.4 to 112 mm: die-cut and continuous labels, black-mark media, tags, wristbands and fan-fold media.
• 74 m ribbon, and on the ZD230 also 300 m: the longer ZD230 ribbon means roughly four times fewer changes.
• ZPL II, EPL 2 and XML: the printer works with software prepared for Zebra printers, so it can replace an older model without changing label formats.
• One button and one status LED: operation comes down to loading the roll and printing, with no menus or settings on the device.
• Compact size and a weight of 1.1 kg (direct thermal) or 1.7 kg (thermal transfer): the printer fits on an ordinary desk or a shelf at the workstation.
• 2-year manufacturer warranty and ENERGY STAR: the warranty runs from the shipping date, and low power consumption matters when the printer stays on all day.

How to choose a variant

• ZD220 or ZD230. The ZD220 is enough for occasional printing over USB. Choose the ZD230 when the printer must work on the network (factory Ethernet or 802.11ac Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 4.1), print faster or use the 300 m ribbon. The ZD230 also has more memory for formats and fonts (256 MB Flash vs 128 MB).
• Print technology. The direct thermal version is smaller, lighter and needs no ribbon, but the print fades over time, so it suits short-life labels such as shipping labels. The thermal transfer version gives a durable print, needed for example on fixed asset labels.
• Media handling. Both printers can have a factory peeler that presents the label ready to apply. The ZD230 can also have a factory cutter.
• Connectivity. Ethernet and Wi-Fi on the ZD230 are factory-installed, so they must be chosen at purchase.
• When to choose another printer. The ZD220/ZD230 operates from 4.4 to 41°C, so it is not suitable for cold stores or unheated halls. For large runs and multi-shift work, the semi-industrial ZT111 is a better choice: it takes rolls up to 203 mm and a 450 m ribbon.