Supported Zebra Thermal Printers

ShipRush is able to work with any model zebra printer as long as it meets the following requirements:

USB or direct Ethernet connection (no Serial Port / Parallel Port).
Printing in a 203DPI mode. 300 DPI printing will not work as the labels are generated by shipping carriers in a 203DPI format.
Uses the ZPL Printer Language, standard with all modern thermal printers.

Some of the tested working models include:

Zebra ZP-450, ZP-500, ZP-505, ZP-550, and related models
Zebra GX420, GK420, and related models
Zebra Z4M, ZT400, ZT230 (203 dpi models), ZT410, and 105SL (in 203 dpi mode)

Note: An on-site technician should set up the printer via Ethernet. Configuring an Ethernet-attached printer is outside the scope of Descartes ShipRush Web support.)

Warning: Only use the power cube provided by Zebra. Aftermarket power cubes are often underpowered and cause the printer to be unreliable. This is especially relevant when purchasing a used printer on eBay.

Installing Zebra Printer ZP450, 500, 505, GX420 or GK420

Note: The models listed above are the same as the Zebra GX420d.

If you do not have the drivers for your printer, download them from http://www.zebra.com.

Note: External links are maintained by third parties and are provided here as a convenience only. Descartes does not endorse, approve, or make any claims as to the accuracy or reliability of the contents, which may be changed from time to time by the third party without warning.

To install thermal printer ZP450, 500, 505, GX420, or GK420:

Go to http://www.zebra.com.
Click Support and Downloads, and then click Printers Support.
Scroll to BARCODE LABEL PRINTERS - DESKTOP PRINTERS.
Click GX420d.
Click the Drivers tab.
Download the ZebraDesigner Driver (ZDesigner v. 5 Driver for Windows).
Run the installer.
Unzip the package when prompted (the default location is acceptable).
Choose Install Printer.
Select ZDesigner GX420 (do not select the EPL version).
Select the port to which the printer is connected. Typically, this is a USB port. If you are unsure of the port, see Installation Tips.
Click Next.
Uncheck Launch installation of Zebra Font Downloader Setup Wizard, and then click Finish. Once the printer is installed, it should be listed in the Windows Printers folder.
In the Printers folder, right-click the printer name, and then perform a Test Print.
If the Descartes ShipRush Desktop Toolkit is running, go to Settings in Descartes ShipRush Web, and then select this printer. (If you are already in Settings, press F5 to refresh the page.)
In Descartes ShipRush Web Settings, perform a test print to verify printer operation.

Installation Tips

If you do not know the port to which the printer is connected, Windows may be able to determine the port for you. Do the following:

Follow the installation steps above. At the Select Port option, choose port LPT2 or LPT3, and then perform the remaining steps.
Once the printer is installed, go to Devices and Printers in Windows, and then delete the newly installed printer (so a duplicate does not appear later).
Be sure the printer is plugged into the computer. Power-off the printer, wait 10 seconds, and then power the printer back on. You should see a message stating that new hardware was found. The printer may be installed automatically for you.
If you are prompted for a printer type, select ZDesigner and model GX420d.
Once the printer is installed, it should be listed in the Windows Printers folder.
In the Printers folder, right-click the printer name, and then perform a Test Print.
Confirm the Descartes ShipRush Desktop Toolkit is running. If so, go to Settings in Descartes ShipRush Web, and then select this printer. (If you are already in Settings, press F5 to refresh the page.)
In Settings, do a test print to verify printer operation.

Q & As and Troubleshooting

My 4x6 labels are getting cut off or look too small.

This can happen if your Windows Printer settings are set to use a smaller label stock than the 4x6 sized labels you are using. To resolve this issue:

In Windows Settings, open Devices and Printers.
Right-click a thermal printer, and then select Printing Preferences.
In the Size section, make sure Width and Height are set to 4 x 6.
Click Apply and try printing again.

If the above does not resolve the issue, try calibrating your printer.

Note: To calibrate all Zebra model printers, with the exception of the LP 2844, hold down the Feed button (top of printer) until you see four rapid flashes (e.g., 1, 1-2, 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4 release). The auto-calibration will begin.

Note: To calibrate the LP-2844 Zebra printer, power off the printer, hold down the Feed button, power the printer back on, and then immediately release the Feed button. This starts the calibration.

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I have an older Eltron or Zebra 2844 model or Dymo 4XL. Does Descartes ShipRush Web support that printer?

Yes.

Note: Please upgrade to a supported ZP, GX, or GK model. Compared to a Dymo, a supported printer is much less expensive to operate. Also, you will see better results, including faster printing, and be using a supported printer model.

To use an unsupported label printer, the unsupported workaround is to set Descartes ShipRush to printer type: Laser, and adjust the margins in Descartes ShipRush as needed to position the label properly. This change will allow labels to print on a 2844, Dymo or other unsupported model. (This workaround is not officially supported.)

Note: Many advanced thermal features, such as doc tab support, are not available when using the 2844 or Dymo. You will be pleased with the results when you migrate to a current ZP, GX or GK model (see supported models).

Will my printer's built-in label cutter work with Descartes ShipRush Web?

When using a model with a built-in cutter, the cutter may not work unless it is enabled via the print driver. This requires the Zebra print driver (not the generic driver.)

In the Printers folder, right-click the thermal printer, and then select Printing Preferences. On the Advanced Setup tab, in the Cutter section, select the 'Every' label option, and enter '1'. The entry should be 'Every 1' Label(s).

I have a 300 DPI Thermal / Zebra Printer. Is it supported by Descartes ShipRush Web?

Yes.

Note: We recommend upgrading to a supported ZP, GX, or GK model. This provides you with better results, more features, and faster printing.

Using Zebra Printers Not Supported by Descartes for Printing Labels

The printers Zebra GX430 and GX43 are not supported by Descartes. However, a workaround is available, enabling you to use either printer in Descartes ShipRush Web.

Warning: The workaround explained below is not officially supported by Descartes.

You would need to:

Set Descartes ShipRush Web to print to a laser printer.
Adjust the margins in Descartes ShipRush Web, as needed, to position the labels properly.

This change allows the labels to be printed on a 300 DPI printer.

Note: Certain advanced thermal features, such as doc tab support, are not available when using an unsupported printer. Migrating to a current, supported model of Zebra printer (ZP, GX, or GK) provides you with a number of important, new features..

Will other Dymo models work with Descartes ShipRush Web?

Note: Please upgrade to a supported Zebra ZP, GX or, GK model. Compared to a Dymo, a supported printer is much less expensive to operate. Also, you will see better results and faster printing when using a supported printer model.

Users have experienced success when using a Dymo printer with Descartes ShipRush Web. Please visit Dymo Printer Setup for more information. The label must be at least 4" x 6". Printers that print smaller labels will not work.