ZebraDesigner 3 Download and Setup Guide
Zebra's label design software, free in the Essentials edition
Representative photo — Jiří Sedláček CC BY-SA 4.0
ZebraDesigner is the label design application for Zebra printers. You lay out text, barcodes, images and variable fields at the exact label size, then print or export. The free Essentials edition covers basic design, while the Professional edition, unlocked with a purchased licence key, adds database connections, variable data and more advanced barcode handling. A separate ZebraDesigner for Developers 3 generates ZPL for use in other applications. It is Windows only and depends on the ZDesigner driver being at version 10.6 or later.
Version and licence: ZebraDesigner 3 is Windows only. The Essentials edition is free; Professional is unlocked with a one-time licence key. There is also a free ZebraDesigner for Developers 3. It requires the ZDesigner printer driver version 10.6 or later, so update the driver first if labels behave oddly.
Download ZebraDesigner 3
What it does
- Label design at exact media dimensions with a live preview
- Full range of barcode symbologies including GS1 and 2D codes
- Variable fields, counters and date and time stamps
- Database and spreadsheet connections in the Professional edition
- ZPL generation in the Developers edition
- Print preview showing exactly what the printer will produce
- Free Essentials edition with a paid Professional upgrade
How to install it
Step 1
Install the ZDesigner printer driver for your model first, and confirm it is version 10.6 or later, which ZebraDesigner 3 requires.
Step 2
Download ZebraDesigner 3 from the Zebra software page, choosing Essentials for the free edition.
Step 3
Run the installer as an administrator.
Step 4
Open the application and create a new label, selecting your printer so the media sizes match.
Step 5
Set the label dimensions to match the stock loaded, and calibrate the printer if you have not already.
Step 6
Design the label, using the barcode object rather than a barcode font so the symbology is generated correctly.
Step 7
Print one label as a test and check the barcode scans before running a batch.
Step 8
Enter the licence key under the licensing menu if you have purchased Professional.
Which printers it supports
Zebra label printers with the ZDesigner driver, including ZD, ZT, ZQ and older GK and GX models.
When ZebraDesigner 3 will not work
It requires the ZDesigner driver at version 10.6 or later. Download the current driver for your model from Zebra and reinstall the printer queue, then reopen the application.
Set the label dimensions in the document to match the media exactly, and run media calibration from Zebra's setup tool so the printer knows the label length and gap.
Use the barcode object rather than a barcode font, increase the module width and height, and keep the quiet zone clear. Also check the print darkness, since over-darkened thermal print bleeds and breaks the bars.
Database connections are a Professional edition feature. Purchase and enter the licence key, or export your data and use the Developers edition to generate ZPL from your own application.
Correct, ZebraDesigner 3 is Windows only. On macOS, design in another labelling application that supports Zebra, or generate ZPL directly.
Printers that use ZebraDesigner 3
Frequently asked questions
Is ZebraDesigner free?
The Essentials edition is free. Professional requires a one-time licence key, and there is also a free Developers edition.
Why does it need driver version 10.6?
ZebraDesigner 3 depends on features in the newer ZDesigner driver. Older drivers cause layout and printing faults.
Can I use it on a Mac?
No. It is Windows only.
Questions & comments (0)
No comments yet. Describe your printer model, operating system and the exact message you see; comments appear after review.
Ask about this page
Your comment appears after our team approves it. Or sign in to post faster.