DevCon 2025: Connect | Learn | Build

Master Zebra Printer SDK and Tools for Label Print Solutions

Presenter: Steven Si, Sr. Software Engineer

Agenda

1. Zebra Print DNA
2. ZebraDesigner for Developer
3. Link-OS Multiplatform SDK

Zebra Print DNA: Unmatched Value

Zebra Print DNA offers significant benefits to users:

• Better Performance: Enables printers to perform at their peak for simple, effortless printing.
• Superior Manageability: Provides simplified yet powerful tools for easy remote management of any size printer deployment.
• Easy Integration: Ensures printers integrate seamlessly into existing technology architectures.

Key Components of Zebra Print DNA:

Development Tools

• Multiplatform SDK
• Browser Print
• PrintConnect
• Cloud Connect

Visibility Tools

• MDM/EMM Connectors
• Visibility Services

Management Tools

• Printer Profile Manager Enterprise
• Bluetooth® Printer Management
• Printer Setup Utility

Productivity Tools

• ZebraDesigner
• Virtual Devices
• PDF Direct
• PDF Connectors
• Enterprise Station
• Pairing
• Zebra Print Solutions

Zebra Link-OS: The Most Intelligent Printer Operating System

Zebra Link-OS is a unique enterprise printer operating system powering Print DNA capabilities. Key features include:

• The ZPL standard: Consistency across all models.
• Cloud connectivity: Secure low-latency connection.
• Battle tested wireless: Over 20 years of experience.
• Unicode: Ready for global solutions.
• Extensible: Evolved to meet modern needs.

The Link-OS Printer Family:

Zebra offers a wide range of Link-OS printers, including:

• ZD500R
• ZD510-HC
• ZD421 Series
• ZD411 Series
• ZD611 & ZD621 Series
• ZT200 Series
• ZT400 Series
• ZT500 Series
• ZT600 Series
• ZQ300 Plus Series
• ZQ511 & ZQ521 Series
• ZQ600 Plus Series

Typical Development Flow of a Print Application

The development process typically involves:

1. Create label/receipt template: Using tools like ZebraDesigner.
2. Get values: Retrieve data for variables.
3. Set variables in template: Populate the template with data.
4. Connect to printer to print: Establish a connection using the Link-OS SDK.
5. Render label/receipt: Generate the final output.

This process is facilitated by:

• ZebraDesigner: A family of label & receipt design tools.
• APP built with Link-OS SDK: Enables rapid development across Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
• Link-OS Printer: Supports various connectivity options including Ethernet, WLAN, USB, Bluetooth, and Serial/Parallel.

What's ZebraDesigner?

ZebraDesigner simplifies offerings with different editions:

• ZebraDesigner Essentials & Professional (Single Installer): For general label design needs.
• ZebraDesigner for Developers (Single Installer): Includes features for ISVs, with options for generic ZPL drivers, variable length templates, and RFID serialization. Supports ZebraDesign Windows v10 driver and Link-OS printers only.

ZebraDesigner Driver Support:

• Supports versatile printer connectivity: Network, USB, Bluetooth, Serial & Parallel.

ZebraDesigner for Developers Edition:

• Features the same UI as Essentials & Professional editions.
• Combines with XML edition functionality for Enterprise Connector & Direct XML solutions.
• Allows exporting "generic" templates based on a "Generic" ZPL driver.
• Supports variable length templates for receipts, including header, body, and footer designs.
• Supports RFID serialization.

XML Templates:

ZebraDesigner for Developers supports XML templates, allowing for data to be stored and recalled, facilitating dynamic label generation.

Link-OS Multiplatform SDK

The Link-OS Multiplatform SDK supports development across multiple platforms including Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux. It offers:

• .NET MAUI cross-platform support.
• Development in Java, .Net, and Objective C.
• Extensive Source Code & Free License.

Benefits:

1. One Development toolkit for multiple OS's and printers.
2. Frequent updates and new features.
3. Comes with source code and documentation.

Rich Functionalities:

• Printer Discovery: USB, Bluetooth®, BTLE, Network.
• Printer Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, BTLE, Network, WebSocket.
• Printer Status Checking: Errors, Warning, Alerts.
• Font Conversion: True Type to ZPL Font.
• Graphics Conversion: PNG & BMP to ZPL Graphics.
• Template Filling: Fill ZPL templates with variable data.
• Printer Management: Create/send profiles/Printer OS's.
• Command Mode: Scriptable command line.
• Simplified Pairing: Using the Print Touch feature.

Developer Demos, Sample Code & Documentation:

Provides both source code and compiled demo code for commonly used features, sample code for all major functions, and extensive API documentation embedded within IDE platforms.

Where to get it:

• SDK: Link-OS™ Multiplatform SDK for Android, iOS, .NET MAUI, PC (Java, .NET MAUI), WebServices.
• Ways to find it: Links to Zebra's website for the SDK and Launchpad.
• Online Documentation: http://techdocs.zebra.com/

Printer Discovery Examples:

Code snippets demonstrate discovering printers via USB, Bluetooth, and Network connections.

Printer Connection – Printing Examples:

Code examples show establishing connections for printing via USB, Bluetooth, and Network (TCP).

Printer Status Connection Examples:

Examples for connecting for status and SGD (JSON) only via Bluetooth, BTLE, and Network.

Multichannel Connection:

Enables simultaneous Status Channel and Printing Channel communication.

• Bluetooth: Classic and BTLE.
• Network: TCP and WebSocket.

The SDK automatically uses the proper channel for certain API calls. The status channel is automatically used for getCurrentStatus(), SGD.SET, SGD.GET & SGD.DO.

Printer Configuration

Configuration can be done via SGD (SET-GET-DO) commands or by using a file.

• SGD.SET: Used to set printer properties like language and media type.
• SGD.GET: Used to retrieve printer information such as OS version and firmware version.
• SGD.DO: Used for printer actions like resetting the device.

Configure with a file: SGD configuration commands can be placed in a file and sent using the SendFileContents() API over the Printing Channel.

Printing Label: Recommended Common Workflow

1. Discover the Printer
2. Open the Connection
3. Check/Set the Language to ZPL
4. Check the Printer Status
5. Send the ZPL Label (or File) to the Printer
6. Check the Printer Status Again
7. Close the Connection

Code examples illustrate this workflow, including status checks and handling potential blocking scenarios.

Best Practices: DOs and DON'Ts

DOs:

• Verify/set the desired printer language on the printer.
• Use ZebraPrinterFactory to get a proper instance for the desired printer language.
• Use status port, status channel or multichannel for printer status checking.
• Close printer connection promptly.
• Obtain Local Broadcast Entitlement from Apple for network printer discovery on iOS.

DON'Ts:

• Do not use UI thread to call Link-OS SDK API.
• Do not leave connection open forever (especially Bluetooth).
• Do not assume the printer language.

Resources

• ZebraDesigner for Developer: https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/software/printer-software/zebra-designer-3-developer.html
• Link-OS Multiplatform SDK: https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printer-software/link-os-multiplatform-sdk.html
• Online Documentation: https://techdocs.zebra.com/link-os/
• Samples on GitHub:
  • Android Samples: https://github.com/ZebraDevs/LinkOS-Android-Samples
  • iOS Samples: https://github.com/ZebraDevs/LinkOS-iOS-Samples
  • Other Samples: https://github.com/ZebraDevs/Zebra-Printer-Samples

Questions?