Zebra GK420d: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Zebra GK420d right for you?

The GK420d is the second-hand label printer of choice for thousands of eBay and Etsy sellers, and despite being discontinued it still works with current Windows and macOS drivers. It is direct thermal only, so there is no ribbon to manage, and it prints a standard 4x6 shipping label in about a second. Common trouble spots are worn platen rollers on older units and label sensors that need recalibrating after switching stock.

Best for: Online sellers buying a proven used printer for 4x6 shipping labels

Setting up the Zebra GK420d

Download the current Zebra Windows driver through Setup Utilities rather than using Windows' built-in generic driver, connect USB, and run an auto-calibration by holding the feed button through two flashes. On macOS, the Zebra CUPS driver is needed for proper sizing. If labels print blank, flip the roll so the heat-sensitive side faces up toward the printhead.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink cartridges, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Zebra's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Zebra GK420d uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Zebra 4x6 direct thermal labels

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications