Click here for a QLn Printer Specification PDF file
Specifications are provided for reference and are based on printer tests using Zebra brand media and accessories. Results may vary in actual application settings or when using other than recommended Zebra supplies. Zebra recommends always qualifying any application with thorough testing.
Standard Features
• Direct thermal printing of bar codes, text and graphics
• 203 dpi resolution (8 dots/mm)
• Print speed: up to 4 ips (100 mm/s)
• CPCL and ZPL programming languages
• Resident fixed and scalable fonts
• 400 MHz 32-bit ARM processor with 128 MB RAM
• 256 MB Flash supports downloadable programs, receipt formats, fonts, and
graphics
• Serial and USB ports (both support strain relief)
• 2.45 AH removable Li-Ion smart battery
• Built in battery charger
• Black mark and gap media sensing using fixed center position sensors
• Easy to use peel and present mode
• Label present sensor for issuing labels one at a time
• Tear bar for easy receipt dispensing
• Supports vertical and horizontal printing
• Printer can be used in any orientation
• Center-loading media locking for variable roll widths
• "Clamshell" design for easy media loading
• Management: Mirror, SNMP, Web server (with customizable HTML pages), Wavelink
Avalanche® [Future firmware update]
• Large, easy to read LCD control panel 240 x 128 pixels
• LCD can be customized using WML (text and icons - Wireless Markup Language)
• 5-way navigation buttons, two software defined keys
• Printer alerts on the display, help menus
• Tolerance of multiple drops from 5' (1.52m) to concrete
• Label odometer
• Real Time Clock
Charging Options
• Charge the battery inside the printer using:
• AC adapter
• Single cradle
• Quad cradle
• Charge the battery outside the printer using:
• Single charger
• Quad charger (same as QL Plus)
Optional Features
• 802.11a/b/g/n radio (Click
here for summary table regarding encryptions)
Note: Early release QLn 220/320 only supported the b/g radio option (QNx-xxGxxxxx-xx)
• WEP, TKIP, and AES encryption
• EAP-FAST, EAP-TTLS, EAP-TLS, PEAP, LEAP
• 802.1x
• WPA and WPA2
• 802.11d and 802.11i
• BluetoothTM 2.1 radio
• Security modes 1 - 4
• 10/100 Ethernet support (via docking cradle)
• Linerless printing (with silicone platen roller only)
• ZBI 2.x - Powerful programming language that lets printers run standalone
applications, connect to peripherals, and much more [Future firmware update]
Accessories
• Spare batteries
• AC Adapter
• SC2 smart battery single charger
• Quad battery charger (same as QL Plus)
• QLn-EC - single bay Ethernet and charging cradle ® [Future]
• QLn-EC4 - quad bay Ethernet and charging cradle, with internal switch and
stacking port [Future]
• Shoulder strap
• Hand strap
• Soft case (IP54 rating when used)
• Serial and USB cables with strain relief
ZebraLink Software Solutions
CPCL Programming Language
• Communicates in printable ASCII characters
• Compatible with Servers, PCs, mobile terminals, and smartphone hosts
• Downloadable objects include graphics, bitmap fonts, label templates and
formats
• Automatic memory allocation for format while printing
• Automatic serialization of fields
• Automatic print head temperature compensation
• Format inversion (white on black)
• Four position field rotation (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°)
• Programmable label odometer
• Monitor and report battery voltage and temperature
• Easy network and security configuration
| Fonts | Matrix (in dots) (H x W) |
Minimum Char. Size (H x W) |
Maximum CPI |
| 0 (Standard) | 9 x 8 | .044" x .039" | 25.4 |
| 1 (min. width) | 48 x 13 | .236" x .064" | 15.6 |
| 1 (max. width) | 48 x 39 | .236" x .192" | 5.2 |
| 2 (OCR-A) | 12 x 20 | .059" x .099" | 10.2 |
| 4 Size 0 (min. width) | 47 x 11 | .232" x .054" | 18.5 |
| 4 Size 0 (max. width) | 47 x 43 | .232" x .212" | 4.7 |
| 5 Size 0 (min. width) | 24 x 7 | .118" x .034" | 29 |
| 5 Size 0 (max. width) | 24 x 23 | .118" x .113" | 8.8 |
| 6 (MICR) | 27 x 28 | .133" x .138" | 7.3 |
| 7 | 24 x 12 | .118" x .059" | 16.9 |
• Standard Fonts: 25 bitmapped, 1 smooth, scalable (CG Triumvirate Bold
Condensed*)
• Optional Fonts: downloadable bitmapped/scalable fonts
• International Character Sets (optional): Chinese 16x16 (traditional), 16x16
(simplified), 24x24 (simplified); Japanese 16x16, 24x24; Korean Mincho, Meong;
Russian
• Scalable text feature
• Standard resident fonts can be rotated in 90° increments
• Supports user defined fonts and graphics and logos
• Text concatenation to assign different character styles
• Allows text magnification 1-16 times the original size
• Proportional and fixed-width fonts
*Contains UFST from Agfa Monotype Corporation
CPCL Bar Code Symbologies
• Bar Code Ratios: 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1
• Linear Bar Codes: Code 39, Code 93, UCC/EAN128, Code 128, Codabar (NW-7),
Interleaved 2-of-5, UPC-A, UPC-E, 2 and 5 digit add-on, EAN-8, EAN-13, 2 and 5
digit add-on
• 2-Dimensional: PDF417, MicroPDF417, MaxiCode, QR Code, GS1 / DataBarTM (RSS)
family, Aztec, MSI/Plessey, FIM Postnet, Data Matrix, TLC39
CPCL Graphics
• Lines, boxes, and patterns
• PCX images
ZPL Programming Language [V68.18.0 and later]
• Supports version X.16 (and onwards)
• Communicates in printable ASCII characters
• Compatible with Servers, PCs, mobile terminals, and smartphone hosts
• Downloadable objects include graphics and bitmap fonts, label templates and
formats
• Automatic memory allocation for format while printing
• Automatic serialization of fields
• Format inversion (white on black)
• Mirror-image printing
• Four position field rotation (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°)
• Programmable label odometer
• Slew command
• Programmable label quantities with print, pause
• Status messages to host upon request
ZPL Font Specifications:
203 dpi (8 dots/mm)| Font | Matrix
(in dots) (H x W) |
Type* | Minimum Char
Size
(H x W) |
Maximum
C.P.I. |
| A | 9 x 5 | U-L-D | .044" x .030" | 33.3 |
| B | 11 x 7 | U | .054" x .044" | 22.7 |
| C,D | 18 x 10 | U-L-D | .089" x .059" | 16.9 |
| E | 28 x 15 | OCR-B | .138" x .098" | 10.2 |
| F | 26 x 13 | U-L-D | .128" x .079" | 12.7 |
| G | 60 x 40 | U-L-D | .295" x .236" | 4.2 |
| H | 21 x 13 | OCR-A | .103" x .093" | 10.8 |
| GS | 24 x 24 | SYMBOL | .118" x .118" | 8.5 |
| P | 20 x 18 | U-L-D | 0.098 x 0.089 | N/A |
| Q | 28 x 24 | U-L-D | 0.138 x 0.118 | N/A |
| R | 35 x 31 | U-L-D | 0.172 x 0.153 | N/A |
| S | 40 x 35 | U-L-D | 0.197 x 0.172 | N/A |
| T | 48 x 42 | U-L-D | 0.236 x 0.207 | N/A |
| U | 59 x 53 | U-L-D | 0.290 x 0.261 | N/A |
| V | 80 x 71 | U-L-D | 0.394 x 0.349 | N/A |
| Ø | 15 x 12 | U-L-D | Scalable (Smooth) Font | |
*U = upper case, L = lower case, D = descenders
• Character Fonts: Standard bitmapped Zebra fonts: A, B, C, D, E (OCR-B), F,
G, H, (OCR-A), GS, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V & Ø Smooth font (CG Triumvirate Bold
Condensed).
• Supports Unicode UTF-8, UTF-16, and several other single and multi-byte
international character sets (See ZPL programming guide for more details)
• Supports user defined fonts and graphics - including custom logos
• Bitmap fonts are expandable up to 10 times, height and width independent.
Fonts E and H (OCR-B and OCR-A), however, are not considered in spec when
expanded.
• Smooth scalable font Ø (CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed) is expandable
dot-by-dot, height and width independent.
• Unicode Swiss 721 font available
ZPL Bar Code Symbologies
• Bar Code Ratios: 2:1, 3:1, 5:2, 7:3
• Linear Bar Codes: Code 11, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, ISBT-128, UPC-A, UPC-E,
EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A and UPC-E with EAN 2 or 5 digit extensions, Planet Code,
Plessey, POSTNET, Standard 2 of 5, Industrial 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5,
LOGMARS, MSI, Codabar, and GS1 DataBar™ (RSS)
• 2-Dimensional: PDF417, MicroPDF-417, Code 49, TLC39, Maxicode, Codablock, Data
Matrix, QR code, Aztec
ZPL Graphics
• Lines, boxes (with optional rounded corners)
• Circles, ellipses
• Images (several different formats, see ZPL manual)
• Compressed Images
Media Specifications
• NOTE: For optimum print quality and printer performance,
use of genuine Zebra Supplies is recommended
| QLn220 | QLn320 | |
| Min/Max Media Width | 0.63" (16mm) / 2.18" (55.4mm) | 1.0" (25mm) / 3.125" (79mm) |
| Max Print Width | 1.9" (48mm) | 2.9" (72mm) |
| Inter label gap | 2-4mm (3mm ideally) | 2-4mm (3mm ideally) |
| Min/Max Media Thickness | 2.3 mil / 5.5 mil | 2.3 mil / 6.5 mil |
| Min/Max Label Length | 0.5" (12.7mm) / 32" (813mm) | 0.5" (12.7mm) / 32" (813mm) |
| Media Roll ID | 0.75" (19mm) or 1.375" (34.9mm) | 0.75" (19mm) or 1.375" (34.9mm) |
| Media Roll OD | 2.2" (55.9mm) | 2.6" (66mm) |
| Black Mark Location | The reflective media black marks should be centered on the media roll | |
| Black Mark Dimensions | Minimum mark width: 0.5 in (12.7mm) perpendicular to the inside edge of the media centered within the width of the roll.2" | |
Internet Protocols (over 802.11 or Ethernet)
• UDP / TCP
• DHCP / BootP
• FTP / Mirror
• HTTP
• SMTP / POP3
• Telnet
• LPD
• SNMP
Cabled communications Specifications
• USB 2.0 Full Speed Interface (12 Mbps)
• Mini-B connector with optional strain relief
• Serial interface: 14-pin RS-232C port for communication to terminal or other
host up to 115.2 Kbps
• Default Parameters: Baud Rate- 19,200; Parity- None; Data Bits- 8; Stop
Bits-1; Handshaking RTS/CTS
• Software (XON/XOFF) or hardware (RTS/CTS) communication handshake protocols
• Serial Port Pin definitions
| Pin Number | Signal Name | Signal Type | Description |
| 3 | RXD | Input | Receive Data |
| 2 | TXD | Output | Transmit Data |
| 6 | DTR | Output | Data terminal ready. Set high when printer is on. Provides +5VDC @ 300 mA max. |
| 5 | GND | Ground | |
| 4 | DSR | Input | Data set ready. Low to high transition turns printer on. High to low transition turns printer off (if enabled). |
| 8 | RTS | Output | Request To Send |
| 1 | CTS | Input | Clear To Send |
| 7, 10 - 14 | Reserved |
|
|
Electrical Specifications
• Smart Battery:
» 7.4 V, 2.45 AH removable, rechargeable Li-ion
» Life: 300 Cycles (full charge and discharge) recommended, 600 cycles maximum
» Available status via front panel or remotely: Health, cycle count, date first
used, serial number
» Max charge time: 4 hours
• Print duty cycle: 2,000 inches / day (50,800 mm / day)
• DC charging input: 12 VDC ± 10% at 2A maximum
Physical Specifications
| QLn220 | QLn320 | |
| Height | 2.75" (70mm) | 3.3" (84mm) |
| Width | 3.5" (89mm) | 4.6" (117mm) |
| Depth | 6.5" (165mm) | 6.8" (173mm) |
| Weight (w/battery) | 1.25 lbs (0.57 Kg) | 1.6 lbs (0.72 Kg |
QLn220 is 9% smaller by volume than the QL220
QLn320 is 23% smaller by volume than the QL320
Environmental Specifications
• Operating Temperature: -4°F (-20°C) to 122°F (50°C)
• Charging Temperature: 32°F (0°C) to 104°F (40°C)
• Cradle Temperature: 32°F (0°C) to 122°F (50°C)
• Storage Temperature: -13°F (-25°C) to 158°F (65°C)
• Relative humidity:
» Operation: 10% to 90% non-condensing
» Storage: 10% to 90% non-condensing
• IP Rating: 43 (IP54 with soft case)
Agency Approvals
• Emissions: FCC Part 15, Subpart B, EN55022 Class-B, EN60950, EN55024 and VCCI
class B
• Susceptibility: EN55024, EN61000-4-2, EN61000-4-3, EN61000-4-4, and
EN61000-4-5
• Safety: CE, UL, TUV, CSA
Preventative Maintenance
Zebra recommends cleaning the QLn Series printers on a regular basis using
standard Zebra printer parts and cleaning supplies. Consult your User's Guide
for further details.
• Cleaning:
The exterior is cleaned with a lint-free cloth, and if necessary, a mild
detergent solution or desktop cleaner. Interior components are cleaned with 70%
isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or blown air to remove any particles.
• Battery:
It is recommended that the battery be fully discharged several times by cycling
it to maximize performance.
Application Flexibility
QLn printers are designed to support a wide variety of applications and media
types. Please consult the CPCL or ZPL programming manual for configuration
details. Zebra recommends always qualifying any application with thorough
testing.