How to use thermal printer to print ZPL shipping labels in Ship&co

What is ZPL printing?

ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) is a specialized label format that allows direct printing to thermal printers without generating a PDF file. Ship&co supports ZPL printing for DHL, FedEx, UPS, and Colissimo labels.

Do I need to use ZPL?

No, ZPL setup is optional. If you simply connect your thermal printer to your computer, you can print PDF labels without any additional configuration. However, ZPL printing offers significant advantages for high-volume shipping operations.

Benefits of ZPL printing

When properly configured, ZPL printing provides:

• One-click printing: Labels print immediately without browser popup windows
• Multiple printer support: Use different printers for different carriers (e.g., one printer for DHL, another for FedEx) without manually selecting which printer to use each time
• Faster printing: Direct communication with the printer results in quicker label output

Important considerations

Before setting up ZPL printing, please note:

• No label preview: Labels print directly without displaying in the browser first
• Initial setup time: Configuration takes 10-15 minutes, but works seamlessly afterward
• Technical setup required: You'll need to install QZ Tray software and configure printer settings
• Only for specific carriers: ZPL is only available for DHL, FedEx, UPS, and Colissimo

If you prefer to preview labels before printing or don't ship high volumes, standard PDF printing may be more suitable for your needs.

Setup instructions

Step 1: Install QZ Tray

1. Download and install QZ Tray version 2.2.5 or higher from: Download QZ Tray
2. Verify QZ Tray is running in your system tray

Step 2: Configure your thermal printer

Follow the appropriate guide for your operating system:

For Windows users:

• Follow the official QZ Tray guide: https://qz.io/docs/setting-up-a-raw-printer-in-windows
• You can find similar instructions on Ship&co support center, here, Windows setup..
• Make sure to select "Raw Queue" when setting up the printer

For Mac OS users:

• Follow the official QZ Tray guide: https://qz.io/docs/setting-up-a-raw-printer-in-osx
• You can find similar instructions on Ship&co support center, here, Mac Os Setup..
• You'll need to enable CUPS and configure the printer as a raw device

＊ Please complete the raw printer setup (for macOS / for Windows) before proceeding to Step 3 below.

Step 3: Connect QZ Tray to Ship&co

1. Open Ship&co in your web browser
2. When prompted, click "Allow" on the QZ Tray connection dialog
3. Check your browser console to verify you see the "Connected to QZ!" message

Step 4: Configure your thermal printer in Ship&co

1. Navigate to Settings → Thermal Printers in Ship&co
2. Click the Edit button
3. For each carrier you want to use with ZPL:
   • Enter the exact printer name (must match the printer name configured in Step 2)
   • The printer name is case-sensitive and must be identical
   • You can setup different thermal printers for different carriers.

Step 5: Enable ZPL in carrier settings

1. Go to the Carriers page in Ship&co
2. Click Edit for your carrier account (DHL, FedEx, UPS, or Colissimo)
3. In the Print settings section:
   • Select "ZPL" as the format
   • Choose your thermal label paper size (usually 4x6 inch for FedEx, DHL, UPS)
4. Make sure the printer you named in Step 4 is displayed
5. Save the settings

Troubleshooting

QZ Tray won't connect to Ship&co

• Verify QZ Tray is running in your system tray
• Try restarting QZ Tray
• Check that your browser has permission to communicate with QZ Tray

Labels aren't printing

• Verify the printer name in Ship&co exactly matches your system printer name (including capitalization)
• Check that your printer is turned on and has labels loaded
• Confirm you selected "ZPL" in your carrier's print settings

Print quality issues

• Verify you selected the correct paper size in carrier settings
• Check your printer's darkness/density settings
• Ensure you're using compatible thermal labels for your printer

Need help?

If you encounter issues during setup, please contact our support team with:

• Your operating system (Windows/Mac OS)
• The carrier you're trying to configure
• Your printer model
• Any error messages you're seeing

We're here to help make your shipping process as efficient as possible!