Zebra ZD220: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Zebra ZD220 right for you?

The ZD220 is Zebra's cheapest desktop label printer and is the entry point for small shippers and retailers who want a name-brand thermal printer without the cost of a ZD400 series. It is USB-only and slower than its siblings, but it uses standard Zebra drivers and ZPL, so it works with every shipping platform that supports Zebra printers. The main mistake new owners make is loading direct thermal labels the wrong way round and getting blank output.

Best for: Small sellers who need a basic, reliable USB thermal label printer

Setting up the Zebra ZD220

Install Zebra Setup Utilities on Windows or the Zebra CUPS driver on macOS before connecting USB, then load labels and hold the feed button through one flash to run a media calibration. Set the label size in the driver to match your stock exactly, or labels will print half on one and half on the next. ZebraDesigner Essentials is free if you want to design your own labels.

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 ZD220 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Zebra Z-Select / Z-Perform direct thermal labels
• Zebra wax ribbons (ZD220t)

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