Download Zebra GK420d Hard Reset File
This printer is discontinued. We may offer drivers, firmware, and manuals below for your convenience, as well as online tech support. If you require additional support, please contact a Zebra Authorized Service Provider.
A recent Microsoft Windows update has been identified to cause the following issues when attempting to print to certain printers. If you’re experiencing these errors or other printing related issues, click on these links to learn more:
Zebra printers using Zebra Driver
Some applications come with the default driver. In summary, consult with your application provider if you experience any of the issues discussed in this solution.
Solution
The application may output the printer's native command languages which are ZPL, EPL, or CPCL when creating the label image. Use a generic text or raw driver to send data to the printer. If the data is in a file, send the file directly to the printer using FTP. For more information, refer to the article FTP File Transfer Protocol from DOS.
Zebra's thermal printers also use heat, but these models apply it to a ribbon that produces a one-color image on a continuous-fed paper supply. Depending on the type of ribbon that's used in an individual thermal application, the output can resist ultraviolet light, cold, heat, chemicals, precipitation and wear. Unlike direct thermal hardware, ribbon-based thermal devices can print on materials other than paper, including polyester and certain plastics. Thermal output proves ideal for archival applications and labeling that's exposed to extreme environments.
Zebra's direct thermal printers use a printhead that applies heat to special paper, producing an image in black against a white background. These models create retail receipts, wristbands and ID badges, shipping labels, tickets and other items that don't require an enduring image. Because direct thermal output uses heat to produce an image without ink or toner, it remains susceptible to heat after printing and can fade as a result of heat exposure.
Thermal transfer ribbons only print in one color, but that color need not be black. Single-layer wax ribbons can run at high print speeds and use less energy to produce an image than do other ribbon types. Enhanced wax ribbons resist friction but not chemicals. Layered wax/resin ribbons trade slower print speeds for the ability to print on matte synthetic surfaces as well as coated paper, with scratch and smear resistance and at least some chemical resistance. Resin ribbons offer compatibility with glossy paper surfaces and show high resistance to friction, chemicals, the outdoors and a broad range of environmental temperatures. In addition to traditional labelers and their supplies, Zebra also produces ID badge printers that use monochrome or four-color dye sublimation ribbons.
Zebra Technologies offers software and hardware solutions that target labeling, identification and badging requirements in more than 100 countries. Its lineup of direct thermal and thermal printers -- designed for uses from the desktop to the factory, hospital, shipping terminal or beyond -- produce single- and full-color output on a variety of surfaces. Although its hardware doesn't require ink to print, Zebra products do rely on a variety of special papers, ribbons, laminates and overlays.
The GK420 offers USB, Parallel and Serial connectivity interfaces and easy upgrades with both the ZPL and EPL programming languages. The GT800 printer supports both 300 Meter and 74 Meter ribbon capacities — without the need to change settings for different ribbon lengths. The GK420 Healthcare printer is available in the healthcare color palette designed specifically for sterile environments.
Zebra’s GK™ Series and GT800 desktop printers combine dependable printing with fast print speeds and network manageability. With their easy-to-use design, Zebra’s advanced desktop printers enable you to improve operational efficiencies.
The top selling desktop printer in the world, the GK420 provides a proven design and long term dependability. Both the GK420 and GT800 printer models are a top choice for a variety of mid-volume and distributed-printing applications to reliably produce quality text, barcodes or graphics.
The intuitive design of the GT800 and the GK420 printers combines a choice of three connectivity interfaces and optional 10/100 Ethernet, co-resident EPL2 and ZPL II programming languages and Unicode to ensure quick and efficient integration. The GK420 offers direct thermal only models for simplicity and cost savings.