Label Printing for Zebra (ZPL) Compatible Printers

Q: What is the best way to define label content?

A: Use the ZPL Label Preview while editing the label content.

  1. To edit a label under either:

    1. Admin > Company > Tools > Label Template

    2. Admin > Company > Report > Label Template

  2. Click the Edit Label Template button. A “Label Template for” dialog similar to the following will display.

    image-20240717-144734.png

    1. Print Density and Label Size should match the target printer's settings in order to the preview how the printed label will display.

      1. Print Density - Select the dpi to be used for the label.

      2. Label Size - Enter the dimensions of the target label.

    2. Edit dialog (left) - Enter the ZPL into the edit dialog.

    3. Preview dialog (right) - Edit will immediately display in the preview panel.

  3. When done editing the ZPL, click Save.

Q: Is there a webinar on configuring ZPL labels and STRATUS reports?

A:   Yes.

02/18/2021 CSG Webinar: Advanced Label Creation

00:00 Release Note Review
09:10 Label Introduction
13:50 Cut List Label - Fields and Tools
20:55 Cut List Label - Add Logo
24:00 ZPL Report Label
31:45 Formatting Label
38:30 Print Emulator and GTP STRATUS Print

07/11/2019 - Configure ZPL Labels: TigerStop ZPL and STRATUS Report ZPL.

Q: Where can I download the STRATUS Print application?

A:   Download and install the STRATUS Print application.

Q: What are the steps to print to a Zebra (ZPL) compatible printer?

A:   STRATUS provides the ability to print labels with a Zebra printer for non-TigerStop cut lists like PypeServer and T-Drill.

  1. Check that you have the latest Zebra Setup Utilities for Windows.

  2. To print labels using a ZPL label printer, download and install the STRATUS Print application.

  3. Create a printer tool under Admin > Company > Tools and select the ZPL printer as the tool type.

     

    1. You may need to Edit the Label Template to configure the label fields. If so, please submit a  STRATUS Service Desk request. 

    2. Example Label Fields, depending on your database, might include any of the following case sentitive fields.
      Note: Not all of these fields are available for labels using the workflow. See Import Mapping article for more information.

      • area
        areaPath - includes the full BIM Area tree description with (e.g. Root | Level | Area). 
        assemblyId
        assemblyName
        cadId
        description
        fitting1
        fitting2
        index
        itemNumber
        length
        lengthInInches - This label field reports the length plus the Spool Checker adjustment
        lengthInFeetAndInches - This label field reports the length plus the Spool Checker adjustment
        level
        material
        modelId
        modelName
        packageId
        packageName
        packageNumber
        projectId
        projectName
        projectNumber
        qrCodeUrl - This code pulls the part QR code for non-assembled parts and the assembly QR code for assembled parts.
        STRATUS.Part.HoleInfo - Note: Content can be lengthy and there may not be an easy word wrap option. See this non-STRATUS article Creating a ZebraDesigner Field that will wrap text for more information.
        size
        user
        userData1
        userData2

    3. To print labels:

      1. Launch the STRATUS Print application.

        1. The first time STRATUS Print is used, configure it by clicking Settings and then select the Company, Tool, and Label Printer.

        2. The Print Workstation application needs to be open whenever you want to print labels but can be minimized. Don’t worry if it is not opened when you send labels to be printed; the application will queue all requests and then print as soon as STRATUS Print has been opened.




    4. You can print PypeServer/3DPP cut list labels from the Package Cut List Page:

    5.  

      1. Define and Generate a Package Cut List. For information on how to define a Package and Generate a Cut List, see the Package Cut Lists article in the STRATUS Knowledge Base.

      2. Once a package cut list has been generated it will display on the Packages > Package > Cut Lists page. You can print labels from this page by clicking the Print Labels button. Note: The defined Station for this cut list is the PypeServer Station and not a station that handles TigerStop cut lists.

         

      3. The Select Printer Tool dialog will display. This is the label printer tool defined under Admin > Company > Tools. Select your label printer and click OK.

         

      4. The labels will print. Below is an example. Note: The label print order does not currently synch with the item order in the cut list. 

         

    6. You can also print labels from the Shops Tool page:

      1. To print labels from the Shops Tool page, you’ll need to send the cut list to the Shop Station by checking the cut list and then clicking the Send Cut List to Station button on the Packages > Cut Lists > Cut List page.

         

      2. Once the Send Cut List to Station button is clicked, you can locate the cut list under Shops > Shop (Ex. PyerServer Station) > Tool (the ZPL printer tool defined above) > Queued Items rows > click the Print Labels button.

         

      3. The Select Printer Tool dialog will display. This is the label printer tool defined under Admin > Company > Tools. Select your label printer and click OK.

         

      4. The labels will print. Below is an example. Note: The label print order is not currently synched with the items in the cut list.

         

    7. You can also:

      1. define a label report under Admin > Company > Reports where Format = ZPL and check the Package Viewer checkbox.

         

      2. These label reports can be run under Packages > Viewer > Actions > Reports.

Q: How can the TigerStop label include the next part in the spool?

A: This feature works when the assembly has two parts in it: a straight pipe segment to be cut and a pipe fitting to put on the end of the cut pipe.  To configure, add the fitting1 field to your Admin > Company > Tools > Tool > Label Template. Send the cut list to the TigerStop tool. When the straight pipe is cut the next part will display. Below is an example where FTG is the label for the next part: 

Q: What Label Fields can be included on a ZPL label?

A: Depending on your database, the following case sensitive fields are available. 
Note: Not all of these fields are available for labels using the workflow. See Import Mapping article for more information.


area
assemblyId
assemblyName
cadId
description
fitting1
itemNumber
length
lengthInFeetAndInches
level
material
modelId
modelName
packagerId
packageName
projectId
projectName
projectNumber
qrCodeUrl
size
user

Q: How can the ZPL code be tested without printing a label?

A: 

  1. Under either:

    1. Admin > Company > Tools > Label Template

    2. Admin > Company > Report > Label Template

  2. Click the Edit Label Template button. A “Label Template for” dialog similar to the following will display.

    c9c0a078-ec74-4a22-b952-aba6696f12c7.png
  3. Print Density and Label Size should match the target printer's settings in order to the preview how the printed label will display.

    1. Print Density - Select the dpi to be used for the label.

    2. Label Size - Enter the dimensions of the target label.

  4. Edit dialog (left) - Enter the ZPL into the edit dialog.

  5. Preview dialog (right) - Edit will immediately display in the preview panel.

  6. When done editing the ZPL, click Save.

Q: Is there a way to print labels for connected assemblies? 

A:   Yes, see the STRATUS.Assembly.Connected Property section in the Reports (Admin) article.

Q: Is there a way to cancel a print?

A:   Yes, cancel the print job in the Windows print queue for the ZPL printer.

Q: Is there a way to print labels with special characters? 

A:   Yes.

It is going to take some refactoring of your label template code. Please see the forum here for background: Print characters with an acute in ZPL

Now the quick and dirty is to just add a “^CI28” to the top of your label template code to tell it to reference UTF-8 encoding.

Here is what it looks like when you do not use the ^CI28 line when there is an Ø in the label text in the size row as well as a value of one referenced description field :

And here when you do:

Q: What Label Printer, Label Stock, and Scanner is recommended? 

A:   Label Printer - Zebra GK420 Series; Label Stock - Label Stock Selector, Barcode Labels and Tags; Scanner - NETUM Wireless


Q: Is there a way to print labels using a sort order? 

A:   Yes. To control the order of labels printed in a ZPL report:

 

  1. Create or use a STRATUS.Field.x that will be used to designate the sort order where it's Data Type = Integer and Default Value = Empty.

  2. Add the  STRATUS.Field.x field to a dashboard report where the it can be populated with sort order values.

  3. Add the  STRATUS.Field.x field to a ZPL report and set its Sort Index = 1.

Printing Labels Troubleshooting Steps

Labels, ZPL Printers, and Code#Printing-Labels-Troubleshooting-Steps

 

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