Zebra ZT231: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Zebra ZT231 right for you?

The ZT231 is Zebra's entry industrial printer, built for warehouses and manufacturing lines that run large label rolls and 450 m ribbons all day. The colour touchscreen is a big step up from the ZT230 it replaces, and it makes network setup and media calibration straightforward for floor staff. It is heavy and loud compared with desktop models, so it belongs on a bench rather than an office desk.

Best for: Warehouses and factories needing an entry-level industrial printer

Setting up the Zebra ZT231

Use the touchscreen wizard to join Ethernet or Wi-Fi and to run a media and ribbon calibration after loading stock. Install the driver on PCs through Zebra Setup Utilities and add the printer by IP. Browser Print or direct ZPL over port 9100 is the usual route for warehouse management systems.

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 ZT231 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Zebra 4-inch thermal transfer labels
• Zebra 450 m wax, wax/resin and resin ribbons
• RFID labels (ZT231R)

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