Guide · Zebra Etykiety – label manufacturer · 7 November 2026
Direct thermal printers need thermal paper (ECO or TOP). Thermal transfer printers print with a ribbon on paper or film, and usually also on thermal paper without a ribbon. On Zebra printers the letter at the end of the model tells you: “d” – direct thermal, “t” – thermal transfer. Details: direct thermal vs thermal transfer labels.
Label size is given as width x height in millimetres, where width is across the roll. The label sits on a liner that is usually a few millimetres wider. The liner must fit the printer and the label must fit the print width. 4-inch printers (e.g. Zebra GK420, ZD220, ZD421) print up to approx. 104 mm wide, 2-inch printers (e.g. ZD411) up to approx. 56 mm.
Measure the label with a ruler without the liner, or read the size from the printer or software settings (e.g. the carrier panel). The standard shipping label is 100x150 mm.
The core is the cardboard tube inside the roll. Measure its inner diameter. The most common sizes:
| Core | Typical printers |
|---|---|
| 25 mm (1") | Desktop printers, e.g. Zebra GK420, ZD220, ZD421, ZD411 |
| 40 mm | Some desktop printers and labelling scales |
| 76 mm (3") | Industrial printers, e.g. Zebra ZT230, ZT411, ZT421, applicators |
A 76 mm core roll will not fit a small desktop printer, and a 25 mm core roll needs an adapter in an industrial printer – so include the core size in your inquiry.
Every printer limits the outer roll diameter. On Zebra desktop printers it is usually 127 mm, on industrial ZT series printers up to approx. 203 mm. This determines how many labels fit on a roll. Roughly:
| Label | Core / max. roll diameter | Approx. labels per roll |
|---|---|---|
| 100x150 mm | 25 mm / 127 mm | approx. 500 |
| 100x150 mm | 76 mm / 203 mm | approx. 1,000 |
| 58x40 mm | 25 mm / 127 mm | several thousand |
The exact quantity depends on material thickness and the gap between labels – we confirm it with the quote so the roll fits your printer.
With outside winding the labels face outwards, with inside winding they face the core. Most desktop printers (including Zebra) use outside-wound rolls. Check the roll you use now. For applicators and labelling machines the label position relative to the unwind direction also matters – then it is best to give the winding number from the machine documentation.
Just send your printer model and tell us what the labels are for. We will choose the core, winding, roll diameter, material and adhesive and confirm them before production. You can also send a photo of the roll you use now.
Measure the inner diameter of the cardboard tube inside the roll with a ruler. It is most often 25 mm (desktop printers), 40 mm or 76 mm (industrial printers).
If the labels are on the outside of the roll (visible without unwinding), it is outside wound. If you only see the liner on the outside and the labels face the core, it is inside wound.
It depends on label size, material thickness and the printer's maximum roll diameter. For example, 100x150 mm labels on a 25 mm core for a desktop printer usually come at around 500 per roll, and on a 76 mm core for an industrial printer at around 1,000.
The printer model, label size, material (direct thermal or thermal transfer), core, winding and approximate quantity. If you don't know some of these, the printer model and a description of the use are enough.
Send the label size, approximate quantity and what the labels are for – we will prepare a quote and email it to you. No obligation. Don't know all the specs? Describe the use and we'll advise.
Phone: +48 576 131 193
Email: biuro@zebraetykiety.pl
Office: Środa Wielkopolska, Poland
Coverage: Poland & Europe (EU)
