Desktop label printers come in a range of different shapes and sizes and with a range of different capabilities. While some have been designed to focus purely on the end result of the print, others are more thorough in offering a wider range of functionality.
Zebra is a company that’s been around since 1969 and in that time it’s developed a number of quality printing products designed for both the commercial and retail industries. Since then it’s worked hard to move with the times and to give its customers what they want, including top-quality desktop labelprinters.
Zebra GK420D
If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient desktop label printer to get the job done well, then the Zebra GK420D is not a bad choice at all. In terms of the design, it’s a sleek and smooth piece of equipment that would add aesthetic value to just about any location it was placed. Measuring in at 8.5” x 7” x 6” and weighing just 6.61 pounds you can easily place this machine on a higher shelf if need be and simply bring it back down only when you need it.
Setting up the GK420D is very easy and can be done in a matter of seconds. On the left-hand side of the printerthere’s a big brightly colored button. Press this and you will have access to inside the printer where you can proceed to change the thermal paper as and when needed. One very helpful feature found on this printer is that it has a built-in odometer that lets you know just how much thermal paper you have left to use.
You have the choice of connecting to various computer medias via the likes of USB, serial, or parallel ports. All of which will enable you to initiate your printing. The software that’s integrated into the GK420D comes with a total of 16 resident fonts to use, as well as several additional VPL and EPL2 fonts. It even allows for native open type font support if you wanted to use your own custom font instead.
The print speed of this model is around 1” per second, with each inch having a resolution of 203 dots per inch (dpi). And because it uses thermal paper opposed to ink or toner, there’s no smearing.
Zebra GX420D
Following the success of the GK420D, the Zebra GX420D was released a few years later.While both models still feature that sleek, black, exterior, measuring in at 11” x 9” x 11”, the GX420D is a quite a bit bigger than it’s predecessor. However, it weighs less than half, so not a bad trade-off, I guess.
Both printers work using thermal paper, and both are changed in exactly the same way. They both have the ability to print labels, barcodes, and receipts and both are made from solid components that are not going to break down after five minutes use. You get the same versatility in terms of connecting to a computer.
While the print quality is the same on both models, the print speed is massively improved on the GX420D. This direct thermal printer is capable of printing of up to 6” per seconds, which is extremely efficient for a printer of this class!
And, it’s even energy star qualified. This means that not only is it fast, but thanks to its on-demand printing capabilities it’s highly efficient too. With this feature intact you can print the exact quantity of labels you need opposed to wasting whole sheets of paper unnecessarily.
Recommendation
If you’re simply looking for a good quality thermal desktop printer that will print a low-medium number of labels, receipts or barcodes in a reasonable amount of time than the GK420D is a worthy choice. It looks good, functions well, and is made from high quality components. If, however, you’re in need of a model that’s not only durable and produceshigh quality prints, but is also capable of printing fast, then the GX420D may be the better option for you.