This article outlines how to configure a Zebra printer with a number of devices in order to print QR labels from the Rheaply platform. The aim is to provide a guide of tips and processes compiled based on research and testing to date by Rheaply and our partners.
Zebra Printer Configuration
Step 0: Set up printer hardware
If unboxing your printer for the first time, follow the setup instructions in the ZD421 Series User Guide, starting on page 175
To install the Wireless Connectivity Module, see pages 66-69, ZD421 Series User Guide
Tip: An internet connection is required to configure a Zebra printer. You may either use a wireless driver or an Ethernet cable. Must be bought/acquired separately.
Step 1: Print a Configuration Report
Before connecting your printer to any device, complete the Quick Start Guide for ZD421 series printers
This first test print is a Configuration Report and helps ensure your printer is working and printing well
If your prints appear off or lacking, there may have been an error during hardware installation. If the problem persists, contact Zebra support.
If the configuration reports aren’t printing at all, troubleshooting help can be found on page 311 of the ZD421 Series User Guide
Alternative instructions for how to test printing with a Configuration Report can also be found on page 178 of the ZD421 Series User Guide
Tip: A Configuration Report is different from printer calibration. Always calibrate your printer automatically with a SmartCal Media Calibration (page 177, User guide) during the following situations:
Using the printer with a new device
Loading a new label size
For an Advanced mode to do manual adjustments of printer settings, see pages 303-306 of the User guide.
Step 2: Connect your printer to a device
Windows, Android, or iPhone/iPad devices
Using Bluetooth or Wireless Networks:
Download the Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU) on Windows, Android, or iPhone/iPad devices
Download page for ZSU
Tip: Double-check the Device Compatibility and System Requirements sections to ensure the device you’re using is listed as one of the ones Zebra has tested. If it’s not, printing is not guaranteed to work.
Bluetooth: configure Printer Connectivity following this help article
Wireless: configure Printer Connectivity following this help article
Using an Interface Cable
If you opt for connecting your printer to your device using a cable (i.e. USB), starting on page 181, the ZD421 Series User guide has instructions on how to connect your printer to a Windows computer using the Zebra Setup Utilities
ChromeOS
Using Bluetooth or Wireless Networks:
It is possible to connect a ZD421 printer to a Chromebook using the printer’s Bluetooth button and laptop’s Bluetooth menu
Reference this Zebra article for help - you will need to connect the ZD421 to a device via USB and use the Zebra Setup Utilities wizard to configure bluetooth
The Zebra Setup Utilities does not have a version for Chrome OS
Using an Interface Cable:
Follow the steps in this help article from Zebra
Tip: You must download a PPD file (see help article) from Zebra to your Chromebook in order to print on ChromeOS.
MacOS
Using Bluetooth or Wireless Networks
Has not been tested yet by Rheaply
The Zebra Setup Utilities does not have a version for MacOS
Using an Interface Cable
Follow the steps in this help article from Zebra
Tip: Using a USB cable to connect your printer to a device directly has proven to be the most reliable solution.
Step 3: Customize the paper size in printer settings
Windows PC
Follow the steps in section 5 to set up your page to the right size for printing labels. Note, the instructions on the site reference a different printer model. This exact process has not yet been tested by Rheaply.
Select Start menu > Control Panel
Under Hardware and Sound, select View devices and printers
Under Printers, right-click your printer and select Printer preferences
In the Page Setup submenu, enter your label size in inches
Select Ok
Close the Devices and Printers window.
Android
Not confirmed
iPhone/iPad
Unknown
ChromeOS
Not possible
MacOS
Follow the steps in this video to create and save a custom paper size:
Open up an image or PDF in Preview
Click File > Print
Click Show Details in the bottom left corner
Open the paper size drop-down menu and select Manage Custom sizes…
Click the plus icon in the bottom left corner
Input size details for your label (i.e. 1 x 1”) and give it a Title
Click the Ok button in the bottom right corner
Now, you will be able to use the custom label size for any of your selected printers in a browser or preview window.
Step 4: Select what you want to print in Rheaply
Navigate to root.rheaply.com and log in
Find what you want to print:
To print a label for a single item, navigate to the item you want to label, then click the Print label button at the top right.
To print labels for multiple items, navigate to the product you want to label, then use the checkboxes to select which items you want to label. Then, from the bulk actions menu at the top of the table, choose Print label from the list.
Your system’s print dialog will open
Step 5: Print!
It’s printing time 🤞
Windows PC
Confirm the page setup reflects the correct size, 1x1”, then print.
ChromeOS
You must toggle the configuration from the print preview in order to print a 1x1” label, then print. Adjust the settings to the following:
Layout: Portrait
Paper size: oe w144h72
Pages per sheet: 1
Margins: Custom (Left 0" - Top .5" - Right 0" - Bottom .5")
Quality: 300dpi
Scale: Default
MacOS
Select the custom 1x1” label size you previously created, then print.
Android, iPhone/iPad
Printing from mobile devices has not been tested successfully to date.
Known Issues
Zebra printers are not directly compatible with Chromebooks
Zebra support article: Using label printer with ChromeOS (includes PPD file)
Cannot create custom label sizes on Chromebook, have to toggle the print margins instead
Cannot create custom label sizes with printer settings on Android tablets
Formatting issue with third-party app, MobiPrint, on Galaxy Tab S7 tablets, resulting in incorrect pagination
Microsoft Windows update causes issues with certain printers in ZD421 series
Important Notice from Zebra
Bulk printing from Rheaply does not work on Safari.
Tip: A way to confirm if the device you’re using will be able to bulk print 1x1” labels is if you can either (A) configure the paper size on the device before printing, or (B) toggle paper size settings so that the aspect ratio and pagination appear correctly on your device’s print preview dialog.
Questions? Reach out to help@rheaply.com 9 am - 6 pm Central, 7 am - 4 pm Pacific Time