Printing True Type fonts (32 bit printer models)

There are two methods that can be used to convert True Type Fonts. The easiest method is to use Ztools but an alternate method is to use the Zebra Universal Driver.  Click here for information on font conversion using the Zebra Universal Driver.

Converting a .ttf font to a .fnt using Ztools Utility

The Ztools Utility can be downloaded from our website: Click here.

Once you have Ztools installed follow steps below to create a .fnt file:

  1. Click on 'options'/ 'directories'. The 'destination' field indicates what directory the .fnt file is saved in. Click on 'OK' to get out of that window once you've noted the destination path.
  2. Click on 'convert' in the tool bar.
  3. Click on 'true type' in drop down window.  In the next drop down window you will see 'R:'. If you want the converted file to eventually go the printers volatile memory then leave R: selected. (See information on memory types at the end of this document)
  4. For this example we will choose 'R:'. Then click 'convert'.
  5. Next click on 'Browse' and find the .ttf file and click on it. You should see the blanks fill in for Source, Destination, and ZPL name in the window.
  6. Click on 'File'/'Open, go to directory you noted in step 1, and click on 'list files of type' dropdown and choose 'all files (*.*)'. Scroll through files till you find your file with .zst extension, choose it and click on 'OK'. You should see a display similar to the following:

~DTR:ARIALI,47556,
0000157C00480F0203000000097608D700010C7502390000000000E100891200
0000000009330388001A00FE0000000000000000417269616C204974616C6963
000000000800FE67006601005041000A020B06040202020902044754151C0001
000000080100000400206376742034CB21CB0000008C0000054C6670676D1BB8

NOTE: If you want this font to be downloaded to printer flash memory (E:) then edit file. Replace the ~DTR: with ~DTE: and save. Or to send to B: memory replace with ~DTB:.

  1. Next click on 'Options'/ 'Ports' in the tool bar. If you choose comport (serial) then make sure communication parameters match printers COM parameters; baud, databits, parity, stop bits, and host handshake. If you are using LPT (parallel) port then choose the correct lpt numbered port. Click on 'OK'.
  2. The power light should be the only light that's turned on our printer front panel. In the Ztools tool bar click on the green traffic light. You should see the data light flashing on the front of our printer for the duration of the download and when complete the data light will stay off.
  3. There are two ways to check and see if the .fnt file got to the printer intact:
    1. If the printer has a LCD display go to 'list fonts' and click on 'print'.
    2. If printer does not have LCD display you can create a text file in Ztools as shown below and send it to the printer by clicking on green traffic light.

      ^XA^WD*:*.FNT*^XZ

    3. The printer should print an index that looks somewhat like this:

        Directory of *:*.FNT  
      0 Z:0.FNT 48486 P
      H Z:H8.FNT 7841 P
      G Z:G.FNT 46655 P
      B Z:B.FNT 7594
      A Z:A.FNT 6745
      R:ARIELI.FNT 52296 P


  4. Next you create a short zpl file in ztools text editor to give the font a designator. In our case we will use the letter Q.

    ^XA^CWQ,R:ARIALI.FNT^XZ

    Send above string to printer then repeat step 9 and the new directory will look like example below with Q designator.

      Directory of *:*.FNT  
    0 Z:0.FNT 48486 P
    H Z:H8.FNT 7841 P
    G Z:G.FNT 46655 P
    B Z:B.FNT 7594
    A Z:A.FNT 6745
    Q R:ARIALI.FNT 52296 P
  5. Then you can create a short zpl file in Ztools to see if the font will print onto your labels.

    ^XA^FO50,50^AQN,50,50^FDSAMPLE ARIALI^FS ^XZ

    Use the green traffic light to send that string to the printer and SAMPLE ARIALI should print onto label.

In the various ZPL string samples above you will have to replace the B: portion with either R: or E: or A: depending on where the font is to be stored and retrieved from.

Memory types

R: is the same as dram, volatile, or SIMM memory.  Stored graphic will be erased if printer is turned off.  All of our printers will have some RAM installed.

B: is either PCMCIA card or battery backed up memory.  Your printer model may have one of these options.

*Note: If PCMCIA card is being used for first time make sure card has been initialized and the write protect switch is set for write enable.

E: (flash memory) is not a selection in Ztools but you can send the graphic to the printers flash memory if the printer model has that option.  Flash memory is non-volatile, so anything stored in this location will remain after power is cycled.

A: (compact flash memory) is not a selection in Ztools but you can send the graphic to the printers flash memory if the printer model has that option.  Compact flash memory is non-volatile, so anything stored in this location will remain after power is cycled.