Barcode Printer Zebra Z4Mplus

bobnavision

Hi All,

has any one worked on this printer. I am writing a report to print item label to this printer. The printer is on the client site. What preliminary measures shall I take before I go to implement or what can I expect which can go wrong so that I am prepared for it in advance.

will appreciate your suggestions

many thanks

nunomaia

There are several ways to work with this printer. Has a normal windows printer or with ZPL or with XML.

I recommend knowing how this printer is setup.

foolosofo

I worked with Zebra Printer (not this model) and I recommend you to look for information about EPL or ZPL language (Zebra's printer language) (ZPL is more advanced if is supported for you printer) for printing to Zebra.

It requires using a Generic/Text only printer (not the driver for Zebra's printer). However, first of all, I'd contact with Zebra's support for the best solution.

I used Zebra for shipping barcodes, so, you can contact to shipping company for a solution, if it's your problem.

David_Singleton

bobnavision wrote:

Hi All,

has any one worked on this printer. I am writing a report to print item label to this printer. The printer is on the client site. What preliminary measures shall I take before I go to implement or what can I expect which can go wrong so that I am prepared for it in advance.

will appreciate your suggestions

many thanks

I don't know this exact model, but I have worked with a lot of Zebra's, and they are generally compatible. i.e. changing model generally prints out exactly the same.

Their telephone support is brilliant, (well its a while now, but it was).

There are two ways to work with Zebra's, one is to send text and use their language and send text, the other is to just set it as a windows printer, and do some playing around. If you were developing a vertical or add on, then I would use Zebra's language, adn send text, but it this is a one off, then do it with windows printing. It takes a bit to get the layout right the first time, but from then on its very easy.

The biggest issue using the printer from windows, is that because of page length and page breaks, you will probably have to print one page reports only. So if you have a report that prints 10 labels, you either spend ages getting the page length right, or just run the report 10 times. BUT definitely its much slower printing the report 10 times, because the Zebra does its little paper shuffle dance between each new print. So if speed is an issue this could be a problem.

Next NEVER use free fonts. You will spend ages trying to resolve issues. I suggest you find a good quality 3of9 font and pay for it and support. Sure you may find a free one that works, but one hour saved will easily pay for buying fonts.

Now the important part. Don't even consider this job unless you have the printer sitting on the desk with you. Forget doing this remote. I know that these printers are expensive, and that the client can't afford to take one out of production for development, but some how do it. Worst case go on site and develop there.

Now when you start, step one is just to create a ver simple report that contains just one Section, and that section just prints a box. This box you can measure on the report to check exact positioning, (you cant do that with text).

The put a bar code in the box, and 90% of all the work is done.

Good luck. Its tedious, but once you have the first report, its all coasting down hill. By the way I really like Zebras, and would always recommend them over copies.

David_Singleton

Oh and about the telephone support. Use it. They really seem to love their product, and want to do everything to get you running smoothly. We had once an issue and they got their software developers from the US to conference into us in London for about 1 1/2 hours till we fixed it.

Its the main reason Zebras. (Lets just hope the support is still as good).

Oh and they mak money on ribbons, so try to get the cheap labels for testing, not those nice expensive thermal transfer things. You will be amazed at how many rolls of labels you will eat.

nunomaia

This week I finished a project using Zebra Z4 Plus.

I normally use XML support of Zebra.
I design the label using Zebra Designer then send the label to printer.
Send and XML file with the fields and the printer will fill the label from XML file.

aod

I startet using a ZEBRA printer some weeks ago using the windows drivers, installed on a Terminal Server where I log in from the Mobile Barcodescanners (ZEBRA is connected to LAN). For creating Barcodes in NAVISION i am using the CODE128 from Mibuso (see Download Area).

I am realy happy with the solution - no much work - and running fine.

ajhvdb

aod wrote:

I startet using a ZEBRA printer some weeks ago using the windows drivers, installed on a Terminal Server where I log in from the Mobile Barcodescanners (ZEBRA is connected to LAN). For creating Barcodes in NAVISION i am using the CODE128 from Mibuso (see Download Area).

I am realy happy with the solution - no much work - and running fine.

I did a search and don't know which one?
http://www.mibuso.com/dlinfo.asp?FileID=405
or
http://www.mibuso.com/dlinfo.asp?FileID=106