Zebra ZT421

Versatile to Meet Your Evolving Needs

Configure Your Way With Multiple Connectivity Options

Ethernet, Serial, USB, dual USB Host and Bluetooth 4.1 are standard. Optional dual-band wireless cards add 802.11ax with Bluetooth 5.3 or 802.11ac with Bluetooth 4.2, giving the printer a path to Wi-Fi 6/6E networks.

Built to Handle a Wide Range of Media and Applications

The ZT421 provides 203 or optional 300 dpi output across a 6.6-inch maximum print width. It accepts media up to 7 inches wide in tear or cutter configurations, making it the ZT400 choice for larger product, package, shipping and compliance labels.

Dual USB Host Ports For Added Flexibility

Two USB Host ports accept devices such as memory sticks, scanners and keyboards. Operators can replicate firmware, files and configurations, transfer or print formats, and connect a scanner and keyboard at the same time without swapping peripherals.

Designed to Evolve With Your Needs

Field-installable media-handling choices include peel, liner take-up and cutter configurations, while two open communication slots accept additional interface cards. The printer's processing power and memory are designed to support firmware updates and new Zebra DNA tools as requirements change.

RFID

Configured ZT421 RFID models print and encode UHF labels for deeper tracking and asset visibility. They support UHF EPC Gen 2 V2.1, ISO/IEC 18000-63 and RAIN RFID tags, with Adaptive Encoding Technology automatically selecting encode settings.

Ribbon and Media Characteristics

The 6-inch platform accepts ribbon from 2.00 to 6.85 inches wide in lengths up to 1,476 feet. An 8-inch outside-diameter media roll on a 3-inch core supports longer production runs while preserving the wider label range that distinguishes the ZT421.

Effortless to Integrate and Operate

Large Color Touch Display Makes Operation a Snap

The 4.3-inch full-color, icon-based display provides quick access to languages, printer settings and connectivity. Color-coded alerts can be recognized from a distance, and Zebra tests the display for the temperature, humidity, dust and other challenges expected in industrial environments.

Easy Media and Ribbon Loading

A side-loading supplies path simplifies changes for wide media and ribbon. Color coding shows how supplies should be threaded, while the lighted path remains visible in poorly lit work areas.

Space-Saving Design For an Easier Fit

The bi-fold metal media door reduces the clearance required to open the printer in constrained spaces. The enlarged clear viewing window lets operators monitor supplies, and ENERGY STAR qualification supports lower lifecycle energy use.

Direct Connection to Your Industrial Ethernet Network

The optional Network Connect interface links the ZT421 directly to an Industrial Ethernet network without separate equipment. Zebra positions this approach to reduce connection points and setup, management and troubleshooting effort.

Pair Devices and Access Information at a Touch

Print Touch uses NFC to pair the printer with compatible devices using a tap. Dynamic QR codes provide immediate access to Zebra how-to videos and product-support information when help is needed.

Programming Languages

ZPL and ZPL II support Zebra label formatting and printer control, while EPL and EPL2 maintain legacy-format compatibility on 203 dpi models. Optional ZBI 2.0 can run stand-alone applications and connect peripherals, and a ZKDU keyboard display can support stand-alone printing workflows.

Easy to Manage

Zebra DNA for Printers—Transforming Printers From the Inside

Link-OS is the printer operating system behind Zebra DNA for Printers. Its productivity, management, development and visibility tools are intended to improve performance, simplify remote administration and make integrations easier.

Easily Manage All Your Printers—All From a Single Location

Printer Profile Manager Enterprise can discover Link-OS printers and manage one printer, a defined group or a distributed fleet through a browser. Zebra also provides deployment utilities for initial setup and configuration.

Seamless Integration With Your Device Management System

Zebra DNA for Printers MDM Connectors bring networked ZT421 printers into supported AirWatch or SOTI MobiControl environments. This gives administrators a more unified view of Zebra devices and printers without a separate management path for each fleet.

Fonts and Graphics

ZebraDesigner Essentials is available as a label-design tool, and the printer can store downloadable graphics, fonts, label templates and formats. Unicode and international fonts support multilingual output for distributed operations.

Performance You Can Count On

Maximum Throughput and Productivity

Fast first-label-out performance and high throughput help keep work moving instead of waiting for labels. The ZT421 reaches up to 12 inches per second and delivers the wider output needed for large-format identification, shipping and compliance labels.

Rugged Durability For Demanding Applications

A metal frame, reinforced gears and a high-retention USB cable are designed for long industrial service. A long-life printhead coating protects direct-thermal printheads, while printhead-element-out detection helps operators maintain consistent output quality.

Consistently Exceptional Zebra Certified Supplies

Zebra Certified Supplies are designed, produced and pretested for consistent performance in Zebra printers. Zebra links supply consistency with print quality, operational efficiency and printhead life.

Maximize Uptime, Business Operations and Printer Visibility With Services

Zebra OneCare plans add defined service levels, technical support and repair coverage options to protect uptime. Zebra Support and Visibility Services can expose operational information used to improve printer availability and utilization.

Markets and Applications

Manufacturing uses include work-in-process, product and serial-number identification, package labeling and receiving or put-away labels. Transportation and logistics workflows include picking and packing, shipping and receiving, cross-docking and compliance labeling.

Retail deployments include distribution centers and back-of-store operations. Healthcare applications include laboratory, blood-bank, pharmacy and asset-tracking labels, with the ZT421 selected when the format requires its wider media path.