Zebra ZT410 / ZT420 / ZT411 / ZT421 ribbon — size, core and grade

About the ZT410

The ZT410 and its 6-inch sibling the ZT420 are the workhorses of Indian pharma and automotive lines. They take 450m ribbon, which is the main practical difference from the ZT230 — fewer changeovers on a continuous line. Both are commonly specified at 300dpi, and at 300dpi a wax ribbon that looked fine on a 203dpi machine often prints grainy, because the smaller heat elements need finer ink particles. That is usually why a ribbon appears to stop working after a printer upgrade. The ZT420 takes ribbon up to 174mm wide; Codewell slits up to 160mm. The ZT411 and ZT421 replaced them and take the same ribbon: up to 450m, ink side out, with inside-wound ribbon only on the optional spindle; the ZT421 also takes ribbon up to 174mm wide.

Zebra ZT410 / ZT420 / ZT411 / ZT421 specifications for ribbon

Source: Zebra documentation

Ribbon specification

Inside-wound ribbon fits only with Zebra's optional ribbon spindle.

110mm × 450m is the standard size for this model. Because we slit in-house you are not restricted to it: you can order a narrower width that is still a few millimetres wider than your label, so less ribbon overhangs and goes to waste.

Load the ribbon the right way round

These Zebra printers use ribbon coated on the outside as standard. Ribbon coated on the inside runs only with Zebra's optional ribbon spindle. To check which way a roll is coated, press the sticky side of a label against the outside of the roll and peel it away: if flakes of ink come off on the label, the roll is coated on the outside. Use a ribbon at least as wide as the label, which protects the printhead.

Which grade for a ZT410

The printer does not decide the grade — the label material and the conditions it has to survive do.

Unsure? The ribbon selector narrows it in two questions, or see the full size chart listing the printer models we have checked.

Loading ribbon in a Zebra printer

Core sizes: ½ inch and 1 inch. Winding: Zebra desktops (GK, GX, GC) take outside-wound ribbon only. For the ZD series, Zebra's guides do not state the ink side, so we confirm the winding against your roll before dispatch. The ZT230, ZT231 and 105SL Plus are outside only; the ZT410, ZT420, ZT610 and ZT620 take outside wound as standard, and inside wound only with Zebra's optional spindle. Specify your model when ordering for confirmed compatibility.