Zebra ZD220 and ZD230 setup guide: from unboxing to first label

This guide takes a new ZD220 or ZD230 from the box to a first printed label. It covers both versions: the direct thermal models (ZD220d, ZD230d) that print without ribbon, and the thermal transfer models (ZD220t, ZD230t) that use a ribbon.

Before you start

Check the box

Every model comes with the printer, an external power supply, a power cord for your region, a USB cable and documentation. Thermal transfer models also include an empty 74 m ribbon core. The ZD230t adds an empty 300 m ribbon core and adapters for non-Zebra 300 m ribbons. Labels and ribbon are not included. Check the printer for transport damage and keep the packaging until everything works.

Choose a good spot

• A solid, level surface with room to open the top cover fully.
• Free space on all sides for cooling. Never put padding or foam under the printer, as it can overheat.
• A power outlet within easy reach.
• 5–41 °C and 10–90 % relative humidity, non-condensing.
• Data cables kept away from power cables, fluorescent lights, motors and other sources of electrical noise.

Know the controls

The printer has a POWER button, a FEED button and one STATUS light. A steady green STATUS light means the printer is ready. The external power supply plugs into the printer's DC power socket.

Load the labels

1. Pull the two release latches towards you and lift the top cover.
2. Pull the roll holders apart with one hand. Hold the roll in the other hand so the printable side faces up as it comes off the roll.
3. Place the roll between the holders and let them close. The roll must turn freely and must not rest on the bottom of the compartment.
4. Pull the labels out over the front of the printer and push them under both media guides.
5. Check the movable media sensor. For standard labels with gaps, or continuous media, leave it in the default centre position. For black-mark media, move the sensor's arrow to the middle of the black mark on the back of the liner.
6. Lower the cover and press down on the middle of the front edge until it snaps shut.

The holders take 12.7 mm and 25.4 mm cores. Rolls on 38.1 mm cores need Zebra's media roll adapters, which are screwed into the roll holders.

Video: Zebra Technologies

Load the ribbon (t models only)

Skip this step on a ZD220d or ZD230d, and whenever you use direct thermal labels. Not sure which labels you have? Scratch the printable side quickly with a fingernail. A dark mark means direct thermal, which needs no ribbon.

1. Unwrap the new ribbon and free its adhesive leader. Zebra ribbon rolls and cores have notches on the left side.
2. With the cover open, push the right end of an empty core onto the spring-loaded take-up spindle. Line it up with the left hub and turn it until the notches lock. The first empty core is in the box; after that, reuse the empty core from your last ribbon.
3. Fit the new ribbon roll onto the lower supply spindle in the same way, right end first, and turn it until the notches lock.
4. Stick the leader onto the take-up core so the ribbon runs straight. Turn the take-up hub, top moving towards the back, until ribbon covers the leader.
5. Check that the labels are loaded and close the cover.
6. Once the printer is on, press FEED to advance at least 20 cm of labels. This smooths out slack and wrinkles.

Always use ribbon that is wider than the labels, to protect the printhead. Both thermal transfer models take Zebra 74 m ribbon on a 12.7 mm core. Only the ZD230t also takes 300 m ribbon on a 25.4 mm core; non-Zebra 300 m rolls need the adapters from the box.

Video: Zebra Technologies

Zebra's videos show the ZD220. The ZD230 is covered by the same user guide and loads the same way.

Switch on and calibrate

Plug the power supply into the printer's DC power socket and the power cord into the outlet. Don't connect the USB cable yet.

1. Press POWER briefly. The STATUS light shows amber during the self-test and turns steady green when the printer is ready.
2. Press and hold FEED. After about two seconds the STATUS light flashes once. Keep holding.
3. Next the light flashes twice (a double flash). Release FEED straight after this double flash.
4. The printer feeds a few labels while it measures them. When the STATUS light is steady green again, calibration is done.

You only need to calibrate once per label type. After loading a new roll of the same labels, press FEED once or twice to line them up. Details and fixes for skipped labels are in ZD220/ZD230 calibration.

Print a configuration report

This checks the printer before you connect it to a computer. With the STATUS light steady green, press and hold FEED until the light flashes once, then release. The printer prints its configuration report and, on network models, a network configuration report.

On a thermal transfer model with ribbon, check that PRINT METHOD reads THERMAL-TRANS. If it doesn't, you'll set Thermal Transfer in the driver in the last step.

Now switch the printer off: hold POWER for 4 to 9 seconds.

Install the driver, then connect USB

Install the Windows driver before you connect the printer. If Windows finds the printer first, it lists it as an "Unspecified device".

1. Download Windows Printer Driver v10, which Zebra marks as recommended, from the ZD220/ZD230 thermal transfer support page or the direct thermal support page. Driver v5 is listed as an alternative for software that needs EPL or CPCL.
2. Run the installer with administrator rights, choose Configure System, and keep Run the Printer Installation Wizard ticked.
3. In the wizard choose Install Printer Driver, accept the licence and choose USB Port.
4. Choose your model: ZD220-203dpi ZPL or ZD230-203dpi ZPL.
5. When the wizard asks, connect the USB cable and switch the printer on.

Every screen, and the fix if Windows got there first, is in Install the ZDesigner driver on Windows 11. The steps are the same for the ZD220 and ZD230.

Connect a ZD230 to the network

The ZD220 connects by USB only. A ZD230 can have factory-fitted Ethernet, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi with Bluetooth. Check the part number on your box or the configuration report to see which you have.

Ethernet

Connect a CAT-5 or better network cable while the printer is off, then switch it on. By default the printer gets its IP address from your network (DHCP). Hold FEED until one flash to print the network configuration report, which shows the IP address. Then run the driver wizard again and choose Network Port. Ask your IT team for a fixed IP address if the address must not change.

Wi-Fi

Connect the printer by USB and use Configure Printer Connectivity in Zebra Setup Utilities, a free tool on the same support page, to enter your network name and security settings. Then add the printer in the driver wizard with Network Port.

Set the driver and print a test label

1. Open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, choose the printer and open Printing preferences.
2. On the Page Setup tab, enter your label width and height under Media Settings, and set Media Type to match your labels (for example, labels with gaps).
3. Under Print Options, set Printing mode to Thermal Transfer for ribbon printing, or Thermal Direct for labels without ribbon.
4. Print a Windows test page from the printer properties, then a label from your own software.

Printing courier labels? See Print 100×150 mm shipping labels. If the STATUS light flashes red or amber, see ZD220/ZD230 lights and errors.