What does Z-Perform mean?

What is IQ Color?

How does 1000T relate to a label?

What different adhesives does Zebra offer?

How does one go about ordering a custom Zebra label?

Where can one find all the information necessary to create the perfect custom label?

In the past we asked ourselves these same questions, and we came to a solid conclusion: It is extremely difficult to find any answers online.

That’s why we’ve put together this easy to follow Guide to Zebra Labels. It’s full of useful information that will help you to better understand the different materials, adhesives, and features that Zebra offers in their labels.

The Beginner’s Guide to Zebra Labels

Label Materials Family

Zebra offers labels and tags in a variety of different materials. Paper is the most budget-friendly material to use, while synthetics offer more durable, long-lasting results with resistance to abrasion, moisture, and chemicals.

No guide to Zebra labels would be complete without an explanation of the Zebra materials family.

The label materials family is the first part of a label’s title. For example, a Z-Perform 1000D label is a paper label.

Here are the current paper and synthetic label materials that Zebra offers:

Paper 

• Z-Perform

• Z-Select

• IQ Color

• Specialty

Synthetic

• PolyO

• PolyPro

• Z-Xtreme

• Z-Ultimate

• Z-Supreme

• Z-Endure

Some of these materials may seem strange to you.

In this guide to Zebra labels, we will explain what these materials are really made of.

Z-Perform label material is a bright white, smooth paper facestock that provides the optimal balance between performance and price for industrial applications. Z-Perform is essentially a budget-friendly paper that you can use for your labels.

Z-Select label material is a bright white, ultra-smooth paper facestock specially coated to provide optimal quality. Z-Select is a step above Z-Perform, and is recommended for high-speed printing applications where print quality is important.

IQ Color is especially fascinating. IQ Color label material is a bright white, smooth paper facestock that has the ability to print vibrant color on demand in pre-defined zones to be used as a visual cue. IQ Color is a Zebra exclusive; no other manufacturer offers this type of solution.

Specialty label material is a family of white paper labels and tags designed for unique or challenging applications. Some examples include 8000T High-Tack, 8000T Multi-Removable, and 8000T Piggyback.

PolyO is short for Polyolefin. PolyO label material is a white, corona-treated facestock that provides flexibility for labeling curved or rough surfaces.

PolyPro is short for Polypropylene. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer material. PolyPro label material is a white, matte polyproylene facestock that provides high print quality and resistance to scratching and smearing.

Z-Xtreme label material is a white, matte polyester facestock that provides outstanding print quality and good smear and scratch resistance. This material also offers excellent resistance to chemicals, and can withstand temperatures of up to 300 degrees F.

Z-Ultimate label material is a white, gloss polyester facestock that provides outstanding print quality and unparalleled smear and scratch resistance. The difference between Z-Extreme and Z-Ultimate is the gloss of the label; one is matte, the other is glossy. Z-Ultimate material also offers exceptional resistance to chemicals, and can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees F.

Z-Supreme label material is a white, polyimide facestock designed for high-temperature environments up to 500 degrees F. This material is recommended for printed circuit board labeling.

Z-Endure label material is a long-life acrylic facestock that provides excellent print quality and resistance to scratching and smearing. This material is recommended for applications requiring long-term outdoor use.

Classifications

The classification of Zebra label materials reflects the level of performance and cost. This classification is highlighted by the number in the label material’s title.

Classification is an important part of the guide to Zebra labels.

There are six different classifications of Zebra Labels:

• 1000
• 2000
• 3000
• 4000
• 5000
• 8000

The higher the number, the higher the performance. This is a simple rule to help you navigate the world of Zebra media.

A Zebra Z-Select 4000D label will more expensive and of better quality than a Z-Perform 1000D label.

Print Technology

Each Zebra label will feature a letter that designates it’s respective print technology. There are only two types of labels: Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer.

Direct Thermal labels do NOT require a ribbon. Instead, a chemically coated heat-sensitive material produces the images as heat is applied to the surface of the label, via a print head.

Thermal Transfer labels DO require some type of thermal ribbon. Thermal transfer technology uses a ribbon to transfer an image onto the label material.

Here is a PLS blog post on understanding the various thermal ribbons that are available.

The Print Technology is highlighted in the last part of a Zebra label’s title.

For example, Z-Select 4000D would mean that the label features Direct Thermal Print Technology.

Adhesives

The world of labeling adhesives can be hard to understand, since there are so many options available.

Our guide to Zebra labels will show you what adhesives Zebra can offer you for your labeling application.

Please note that the word “tack” refers to the stickiness of a label.

For example, a “high-tack” label is a label with a very sticky adhesive.

Acrylic – General purpose adhesive; provides long-term adhesion; resistance to chemicals and UV exposure, works across a wide temperature range.

Rubber – General-purpose; provides good initial tack; offers adhesion to rough surfaces; not recommended for auto applications.

High-Performance – Offers higher resistance to chemicals and UV exposure; often has agency approval such as indirect food contat, UL/CUL, and CSA approval.

High-Temp – Maintains strong adhesion at high temperatures, over 300 degrees F.

Cold-Temp – Maintains strong adhesion to low temperatues, down to -112 degrees F.

All-Temp – May be applied to temperatures below freezing, which is 32 degrees F.

Removable – Clean removal from most surfaces without damaging the label or surface. This is an excellent adhesive for retail applications, especially bookstores.

Ultra-Removable – Clean removal from nearly all surfaces, including metal and glass, without damaging the label or the surface.

Multi-Removable – Offers dual functionality; provides permanent long-term adhesion but also allows for clean removal; repositionable to allow for removal, and reapplication.

High-Tack Acrylic – Works well on hard to label surfaces and provides good resistance to chemicals and UV exposure.

High-Tack Rubber – Works very well on hard to label surfaces; provides good initial tack.

Trust the Experts. At PLS, we know Zebra Media.

Think of this guide to Zebra Labels as a cheat sheet for your own reference. This guide has everything you will need to put together your own custom label, as well as to understand the titles of Zebra Media.

At PLS, Custom Media is our specialty.

When the time comes for your business or organization to order custom labels, tags, or wristbands, trust the experts. PLS knows Zebra media, and we can help you to select the best materials, adhesives, and technology for your application.

Feel free to contact us anytime by phone at 1-844-458-1078, or email us at info@professionallabelsolutions.com. We can provide samples, consultations, and the best prices around.

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There are many reasons for this problem. After all, printers are a complex piece of equipment.

In order to select the right printer, you need to understand a variety of different factors.

Will you need thermal transfer or direct thermal printing capabilities? What is the maximum print width of your label? Will you need to print high-resolution barcodes? What core size will work best for you? What type of interface will expedite your application?

Questions of this nature can intimidate many customers; after all, there is nothing worse than selecting the wrong printer for your application.

Luckily, Zebra Technologies has created a hybrid printer that is good for nearly ALL printer applications.

This printer is the Zebra ZT230.

The Zebra ZT230 is a workhorse of a printer. Here are some reasons why it’s one of the best printers that you can purchase:

• The Zebra ZT230 offers BOTH direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities. This can save you time and money. Switching the printing capabilities is fast and easy. Only a few Zebra printers offer this option.
• The Zebra ZT230 can fit media for desktop and industrial printers. This means that it can fit media with either a 5 inch or an 8 inch outer diameter. Also, the roll holder can accommodate media with a core size of 1 inch or 3 inches. This means that you can easily switch between different sizes of media. You will not have to worry about ordering the wrong core size or outer diameter. 
• The Zebra ZT230 offers a maximum print quality of 300 dpi. This is higher than some Zebra desktop printers.
• There are a variety of useful interfaces available. The Zebra ZT230 offers interfaces in USB, Serial, Ethernet, Parallel, and Wi-Fi. 
• The Zebra ZT230 has a compact build for an industrial printer. It’s dimensions are 9.5″ x 10.9″ x 17″, with a weight of 20 lbs. 

In addition, the Zebra ZT230 features a very user friendly interior.

The interior features color coded cues that show the end user where to load the media and ribbon.

The interior also features illuminated multi-position transmissive and reflective sensors. These sensors are visible through the media for trouble-free sensor-position adjustment.

Here are some photos which highlight the inside of the ZT230:

Pictured are the print head, the ribbon roll holder, and the media roll holder.

Here’s the Zebra ZT230 with an open print head.

You can think of the ZT230 as a hybrid printer: it has the best qualities of a desktop and an industrial printer all in one.

The Zebra ZT230 is ideal for a variety of different applications, including the following:

• Manufacturing
• Asset Management
• Receiving/Shipping
• Reverse Logistics
• Lab Sample Tracking 
• Compliance Labeling
• Order Labeling
• Quality Control
• Prescription Labeling

The Zebra ZT230 offers a streamlined design and smaller footprint that takes up less physical space than previous models like the S4M.

Also, the ZT230 printer requires minimal operator training, and benefits from tool-less standard component maintenance and a durable design to minimize service

If you’ve ever been in a position where you’re not sure of the printer you’ll need, then take our advice. At PLS we highly recommend the ZT230 as an entry level label/barcode printer.

Feel free to browse our current stock of Zebra ZT230s here.

As always, please contact us at 1-844-458-1078 or email us at info@professionallabelsolutions.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding the ZT230.

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Yet many times it is.

A great example of this is printing shipping labels from eBay. Traditionally, one would purchase a shipping label from eBay with their PayPal account, then print the label from their PC using a standard ink/laser printer.

This process is costly and time consuming; labels printed on paper will require cutting, as well as packing tape. Printing, cutting, and taping a label printed on a ink/laser printer can take several minutes.

If you take into consideration the cost of paper, printer ink, AND packing tape, then you’ll realize just how expensive printing labels can be.

The solution for this is to print using a Zebra Direct Thermal Label Printer, like the LP 2844. The LP 2844 printer was specially designed with shipping label applications in mind. The printer offers a maximum print width of 4 inches, as well as various interface options. The media specifications are as follows:

• 1 inch inner core, with a 5 inch outer diamter
• Gap sensing

There are various incarnations of the LP 2844. For example, there are models with accessories like a cutter or peeler, and there are models that feature Eltron Programming Language.

Please note that models with Eltron Programming Language do NOT feature a “Z” in the title.

We are currently using a Zebra R2844-Z. This means that the printer offers RFID printing capabilities, and that the printer operates using Zebra Programming Language.

Zebra Programming Language is the most recent printer control language released by Zebra.

How to Print eBay Shipping Labels with a Zebra Printer

Step 1. Make sure that your eBay and PayPal accounts have all the correct information.

Your eBay account must be linked to your PayPal account in order to purchase shipping labels. Make sure that your PayPal account is verified; this means that you’ve linked a debit/credit card to your account.

Step 2. Update the Printer Preferences in PayPal.

Make sure that you have the correct printer preferences in your PayPal account.

This can be done by looking under your PayPal Profile and Settings. Find the Section that says “My Selling Tools” and open it. This will open a menu with various payment and shipping options. Look for the “Shipping My Items” section; it will be near the bottom. Click “Shipping Preferences”, and look for the section that says “US Postal Service Preference”. This will show a few different models of printers that are compatible with PayPal’s label printing software.

Please note that you CAN use a Zebra R2844-Z to print labels from eBay, but you will have to click “LP2844-Z” under the US Postal Service Preference.

The R2844-Z and the LP2844-Z both use the same printer command language; they are essentially the same printer, except for the RFID printing capabilities that the R2844-Z offers.

3. Make sure you have the correct version of Java on your PC.

The PayPal software for printing labels is based on Java 32 Bit. There will be accurate information under the “US Postal Service Preference” section regarding the version of Java that you will need.

4. Download and run Zebra Setup Utilities

Zebra Setup Utilities is available for free from Zebra.

Here is a link where you can download it.

Zebra Setup Utilities allows you to communicate with your printer, as well as run configuration/calibration tests. You can also manage your printer from the “Devices and Printers” section on Windows, but it’s easier with Zebra Setup Utilities.

While in Zebra Setup Utilities, make sure you update the size of your label to 4″ by 6″. Also, make sure to darken the printer settings, and to slow it down.

A slowly printed label will have a clearer barcode than a label that is printed too fast. .

5. Make sure that your eBay Printer Preferences are correct.

This is an overlooked tip, but it’s extremely important.

When you’re in eBay, there will be a section that is for adding the weight and address of an item. Look in the upper right hand corner of this section; there will be a small area that says “Printer and Label Receipt Preferences”. Make sure you click this, and set your printer as an LP 2844. This will allow the printer to scale the label to the correct size of 4 inches x 6 inches.

If you overlook this step, then your printer will size the labels incorrectly. You label will not be as clear as it could be; instead being grainy and difficult to read. Also, your label will be smaller than 4″ x 6″.

6. Use the correct labels. Price does make a difference.

Be wary of using labels that are cheaply made.

Zebra printers work best with Zebra media.

Cheaper labels will wear down your printhead over time.

Printheads do NOT last forever.

Replacement printheads for Zebra desktop printers can cost anywhere between $100-$200.

And that’s how to print eBay Shipping labels with a Zebra Printer. You’ll save money, supplies, and most importantly of all: time.

Feel free to contact PLS anytime at 1-844-458-1078, or email us at info@professionallabelsolutions.com. Our reps are happy to help!

Your #1 Source for Printers, Printer Media, Software, & Accessories