Setting up a Zebra Label Printer involves configuring the printer, printing test labels, and creating templates for production items, including basic and 2D barcode formats. The guide also covers using lookup fields and ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) formatting, essential for effective production and inventory management.
In this article:
Zebra Label Printer Setup
Easily connect your device to the Zebra Printer.
Tascus supports USB Zebra printer models:
GK420
ZD420
ZD421T
It is not required to Add Device as the Zebra Printer will connect via the USB Port
Check the connection of the printer through the Device Manager
There are two methods used to set up your Zebra Printer, Zebra DII or Notepad (Text Only)
Zebra ZII
Notepad (Text Only Printer)
The Notepad method requires configuration and installations to set up.
Use the following link to download the Zebra Printer Setup Utilities:
https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printer-software/printer-setup-utilities.html
Start the installation and follow the Wizard steps to complete setup.
Once the install is complete, print a test label.
Ensure you add a new device, this will ensure the printer is connected and works correctly when using Tascus
When adding a printer, follow the steps accordingly.
Now, you should be able to easily print a label through Notepad
Create a Test Label
Once connected, print a test label to confirm the connection using Tascus Parts List
Creating Labels for Production Items
To create a label for a production item, you will need to add a Create Label step to a production sequence at the appropriate point.
For most , this is in the first manufacturing operation, once the operator has started production by selecting a works / production / manufacturing order.
Here is an example of how that work flow looks:
Lookup Fields to Use in Label Templates
Use any of these fields in the Parts List label template, and Tascus will replace the short code with data from the item that is currently in production.
Tascus Short Code | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
[Part_No] | Part Number | Parts List |
[Serial_No] | Serial Number | Current serial number |
[Username] | Username of the logged in user when the label is created | Current logged in user |
[Custom_Field_01 to 10] | Uses the Custom Fields defined in the Parts List. 01 to 10 correspond to the row number in the Parts List Custom Field | Parts List |
[Order] | Works / Production / Manufacturing Order Number | Load Orders screen |
[Plan_Location] | Planning Location the Order has been assigned to | Load Orders screen |
[Project] | Project (from Load Orders screen) | Load Orders screen |
[Customer_Name] | Customer Name (from Load Orders screen) | Load Orders screen |
[Qty] | Quantity assigned to the order | Load Orders screen |
[Yr_Production] | Year in format XXXX | N/A |
[Yr_Production_2] | Year in format XX | N/A |
[Day_Production] | Day of the year in format XXX | N/A |
[Date] | Date in format DD/MM/YY | N/A |
[Time] | Time the label is printed in format HH:MM | N/A |
[Daily_Count_#] | Count of items made on specified production day (Start with 00001 and increase by 1 for each item produced) # defines the number of digits to use e.g. Daily_Count_4 = 0012 for the 12th item produced. | Saved to a local file on the work station. data / Daily Count.txt |
Example Label Template
Basic ZPL code for a ZD420 printer with just the Serial Number, Part Number & Date:
^XA
^LH180,60
^CFA,30
^FT180,150
^FT0,0^FD[Serial_No]^FS
^FT0,40^FD[Part_No]^FS
^FT0,80^FD[Date]^FS
^XZ
Adding a 2D Barcode / QR CODE to a Label
Use the following code to add a barcode to a label that contains Part Number, Serial Number and Date with a : colon seperator.
BQN,2,3^FDMM,:[Part_No]:[Serial_No]:[Date]^FS
Example with a barcode:
^XA
^LH180,60
^CFA,30
^FT180,150
^BQN,2,3^FDMM,:[Part_No]:[Serial_No]:[Date]^FS
^FT0,0^FD[Serial_No]^FS
^FT0,40^FD[Part_No]^FS
^FT0,80^FD[Date]^FS
^XZ
Adding Custom Fields and Count
ZPL code for a label that includes a daily count (with 5 digits), a 2 digit Year and a Custom Field from the Parts List:
^XA
^LH0,0
^CFT,20,20
^FT0,0^FDSerial: [Serial_No]^FS
^FT0,30^FDProduct: [Part_No]^FS
^FT0,60^FDCount: [Daily_Count_5]^FS
^FT0,90^FDDate: [Date] [Time]^FS
^FT0,120^FDYear: [Yr_Production_2]^FS
^FT0,150^FDDrg No: [Custom_Field_01]^FS
^XZ
ZPL Formatting for Label Templates
^LH - sets the label home position. The default home position of a label is the upper-left corner (position 0,0 along the x and y axis).
^CW - Font Identifier All built-in fonts are referenced using a one-character identifier. The ^CW command assigns a single alphanumeric character to a font
^CF - sets the default font used in your printer.
^CFA - set the font size in pixels Format:
^CFf,h,w
h = individual character height (in dots) (0-32000)
w = individual character width (in dots) (0-32000)
^FO - sets a field origin, relative to the label home (^LH) position. ^FO sets the upper-left corner of the field area by defining points along the x-axis and y-axis independent of the rotation. Format: ^FOx,y,z
^FT - field position, relative to the home position of the label designated by the ^LH command.
^FS - denotes the end of the field definition.
