Zebra ZT231

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Simple Operation with Smart Features

The 4.3-inch full-color resistive touchscreen shows status at a glance and gives operators access to setup wizards, how-to content and common settings. It responds to a finger or gloved hand, helping reduce training time on busy production floors.

Backward compatibility and Printer Emulations can help replace another printer brand without changing compatible label formats or rewriting application code. ZPL, ZPL II, EPL and EPL2 add format continuity; EPL support is limited to 203 dpi models.

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Make It Easy for Your IT Team

Zebra Print DNA software adds tools for configuration, troubleshooting and management through a web-based dashboard. Teams can monitor networked printers from one location, triage issues and perform updates or maintenance without visiting every device.

PrintSecure helps administrators compare printer security settings with recognized best practices and adjust them to organizational requirements. Secure connections, vulnerability identification and access controls help protect data and reduce exposure at a networked endpoint; some Print DNA features can require a license or vary by model.

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The Smart Choice Now and Later

The ZT231 can begin with the capabilities needed today and add a cutter, peeler or wireless networking later. A field-installable UHF RFID kit adds printing and encoding when tracking requirements advance, avoiding the need to replace the base printer solely to gain that capability.

Available communication options include 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a second 10/100 Ethernet connection and an applicator interface. ZKDU keyboard display units support stand-alone printing applications, and optional ZBI 2.0 lets the printer run applications and connect to peripherals.

Built to Perform. Engineered to Endure.

Don’t Compromise on Quality

A metal frame and metal enclosure give the ZT231 the structure needed for light-industrial environments. Its thin-film printhead uses Zebra's E3 Element Energy Equalizer to support consistent print quality across text, barcodes and graphics.

The standard 203 dpi configuration prints up to 12 inches per second for throughput-focused work. Optional 300 dpi printing reaches 8 inches per second for small text, dense barcodes and detailed graphics; resolution is configuration-dependent.

Built to Perform. Engineered to Endure.

Get More Done with Greater Visibility

The ZT231's architecture is designed to process more jobs at once and provide a path for emerging technologies. A real-time clock supports date- and time-sensitive formats, while three-color LEDs provide quick status feedback alongside the touchscreen.

Onboard analytics and printhead element-out detection give teams earlier notice of printer-health issues. Tool-less printhead and platen removal makes replacement more straightforward, reducing the time and specialized effort needed for common maintenance.

Built to Perform. Engineered to Endure.

Small Footprint, Big Access

The base printer measures 17 inches long by 9.5 inches wide by 11 inches high and weighs 20 pounds. A bi-fold door reduces the overhead clearance needed for access, while a clear window lets operators check supplies without opening the cabinet.

The side-loading supplies path, color-coded cues and movable transmissive and reflective sensors simplify media and ribbon loading. A large 8-inch media roll and 450-meter ribbon capacity allow longer runs between changes; the liner take-up configuration is taller and heavier than the base model.

Built to Perform. Engineered to Endure.

Connect Your Way

USB 2.0, RS-232 serial, 10/100 Ethernet and USB Host are standard, giving the ZT231 interfaces for new and established systems. Bluetooth Low Energy adds location-oriented functionality and the Print Touch NFC tag supports tap-to-pair access with compatible mobile devices.

An optional 802.11ac card supports Wi-Fi deployment, while a second Ethernet option can serve installations that need another wired connection. The optional applicator interface provides status and control signals when the printer is integrated with compatible automation equipment.

Built to Perform. Engineered to Endure.

Get RFID Without Complication

Optional UHF RFID printing and encoding adds visibility and item-level tracking. Zebra’s adaptive encoding technology simplifies calibration and supports more flexible inlay placement, but RFID remains an optional configuration rather than a base-printer feature.

Software That Gives You a Serious Advantage

Update, Troubleshoot and Monitor – All from a Single Location

Print DNA remote-management capabilities support managed deployments. Printer Profile Manager Enterprise lets teams monitor, secure and troubleshoot networked printers from a browser-based interface, triage issues and perform updates without visiting every device.

Software That Gives You a Serious Advantage

Unparalleled, Peace-of-Mind Printer Security

PrintSecure supports secure connections, vulnerability identification, configuration controls and blocking unauthorized access. These protections help reduce exposure at a networked printer endpoint; available functions can vary by model or license.

Supplies, Service and Support

Zebra Certified Supplies

Zebra designs and pretests its labels and tags to support consistent performance and reduce interruptions caused by unsuitable supplies.

Backed by Zebra’s Worldwide Service and Support

Zebra OneCare plans add enhanced service coverage beyond the standard warranty through Zebra's global support network.

Specifications

Media Characteristics

The printer accepts continuous, die-cut, notched and black-mark media from 0.75 to 4.50 inches wide and up to 0.010 inch thick. It accommodates an 8-inch roll on a 3-inch core or a 6-inch roll on a 1-inch core, and thermal transfer ribbon from 2 to 4.33 inches wide.

Options and Accessories

A front-mount passive peeler is available with or without a liner take-up spindle; the take-up version is factory-fit only. The front-mount guillotine cutter supports cut presentation, and minimum label length varies by tear, peel and cutter mode.

Specifications

Firmware

ZPL and ZPL II provide advanced label formatting and printer control across Zebra environments. EPL and EPL2 retain compatibility with legacy applications on eligible 203 dpi models, while ZBI 2.0 is optional for stand-alone logic and peripheral connections.

Barcode Symbologies

The ZT231 supports major linear and 2D codes, including Code 128, UPC, EAN, Data Matrix, PDF417, MaxiCode and QR Code. Unicode-compatible scalable fonts, user-defined graphics, drawing commands and downloadable-object storage support multilingual and branded labels.

Specifications

Markets and Applications

Manufacturing uses include work-in-process, product and serial identification, packaging and receiving labels. Transportation and logistics applications include picking, packing, shipping, receiving, cross-docking and compliance labeling.

Zebra lists laboratory, blood-bank, asset, unit-dose and pharmacy labeling for healthcare. Retail workflows include buy-online/pickup labeling, return tags, price labels and shipping labels, with the selected resolution and media handling matched to the task.