ZPL

ZPL, or Zebra Programming Language, is a page description language developed by Zebra Technologies for their label printers. It enables users to define label layouts that include text, barcodes, graphics, and other elements, which are then sent to the printer to produce physical labels. ZPL is widely used in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail to create standardized, machine-readable labels.

ZPL exists in two main forms: ZPL I and ZPL II. ZPL II is the more common and widely supported version found on modern Zebra printers, offering an expanded feature set and improved compatibility across devices. The language is primarily ASCII-based, with commands that begin with a caret (^) to specify formatting and content. A label format is started with ^XA and ended with ^XZ, with various commands placed in between to position fields, choose fonts, and define data to print.

Key commands in ZPL include ^FO to set a field origin, ^A to select a font, ^FD to provide field data, and ^FS to end a field. Other commonly used commands configure print settings such as ^PW for print width and ^LL for label length, or define barcode characteristics with ^BY and barcode field commands. Graphics can be embedded using ^GF, and complex label layouts can combine text, barcodes, and graphics within a single label.

ZPL is typically generated by label design software, enterprise applications, or specialized editors, and can be tested with simulators or preview tools before printing. It remains a primary method for controlling Zebra printers in automated labeling workflows, with extensive documentation available from Zebra Technologies.