ZebraDesigner Essentials
Version 3 User Guide
Product level: Essentials. Rev-2019-1
P1108968-EN
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registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. ©2019 Zebra Technologies Corporation and/or its affiliates. All rights
reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The software described in
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Terms of Use
Proprietary Statement
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parties operating and maintaining the equipment described herein. Such proprietary
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Contents
1 Typographical Conventions 7
2 Activating ZebraDesigner 8
2.1 Activating ZebraDesigner Online 8
2.2 Activating ZebraDesigner Offline 9
2.3 Deactivating ZebraDesigner 11
2.4 Activating and Deactivating over a Proxy Server 12
3 Introduction 17
3.1 Basic ZebraDesigner Concepts 17
3.2 Keyboard and Mouse Support 18
3.3 Options (Configuring the Program) 20
4 Workspace Overview 22
4.1 Landing Page 22
4.2 Object and Explorer Panels 23
4.3 Printer and Status Bar 23
4.4 Tabs and Ribbons 24
4.5 Design Surface 46
4.6 Document Properties and Management Dialogs 49
4.7 Context Menus 50
5 Label 53
5.1 Label Setup Wizard 53
5.2 Label Properties 56
5.3 Label Objects 60
5.4 Working with Objects 76
6 Barcode 78
6.1 Source 78
6.2 Barcode 78
6.3 Check Digit 79
6.4 Human Readable 80
6.5 Bearer Bar 80
6.6 Details 81
6.7 Position 81
6.8 General 82
6.9 Available Barcodes and Their Settings 83
6.10 GS1 DataBar Subtypes 95
6.11 1D Barcode Details 98
6.12 2D Barcode Details 99
6.13 GS1 DataBar Specifics 101
6.14 Maxicode Barcode Content 102
6.15 USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode Content 103
7 Printing 105
7.1 Print Pane (Default Printing Form) 105
7.2 Printing Procedure 108
7.3 Optimize Printing Speed 109
7.4 Changing Common Printer Settings 110
7.5 Changing Dithering Options 112
8 Dynamic Data Sources 114
8.1 Variables 114
8.2 Special Character Shortcuts 128
9 How To 130
9.1 Insert Characters with <#hex_code> Syntax 130
9.2 Insert Characters with Alt+<ASCII_code> 130
9.3 Printing of Unlimited Data 131
9.4 Using the Internal Printer Counter 132
10 Glossary 134
1 Typographical Conventions
Text that appears in bold refers to menu names and buttons.
Text that appears in italic refers to options, confirming actions like Read only and locations
like Folder.
Text enclosed in <Less-Than and Greater-Than signs> refers to keys from the desktop PC
keyboard such as <Enter>.
Variables are enclosed in [brackets].
NOTE: This is the style of a note.
EXAMPLE: This is the style of an example.
This is the style of a best practice.
WARNING: This is the style of a warning.
TIP: This is the style of a tip.
2 Activating ZebraDesigner
ZebraDesigner helps you design and print labels on Zebra printers from your computer.
There are two editions to choose from:
l ZebraDesigner Essentials is free to use, and requires no activation. It offers basic
label design features.
l ZebraDesigner Professional is free to use for 30 days, then requires purchase and
activation. It offers advanced features to help you design more complex labels based
on fixed or variable data and also includes database and RFID support.
2.1 Activating ZebraDesigner Online
To use ZebraDesigner Professional to efficiently design and print your labels, activate your
copy to use all features. You need:
l ZebraDesigner Essentials installed and running on your computer.
l Your 18-digit license key, available from Zebra's online store or your Zebra software
distributor.
l An active Internet connection. To activate offline, read section "Activating
ZebraDesigner Offline" on the next page.
To activate ZebraDesigner Professional:
1. Open ZebraDesigner.
2. Go to Home > Activate Key or File > About > Activate your license.
l The ZebraDesigner Activation window opens.
3. Paste in your 18-digit license key. You receive this key after you purchase
ZebraDesigner.
4. Type in your information.
5. Click Activate.
Your ZebraDesigner Professional is activated and ready to use.
NOTE: You cannot activate your license key in virtual PC environments.
To deactivate your license, read section "Deactivating ZebraDesigner" on page11.
To activate or deactivate your license using a proxy server, read section "Activating and
Deactivating over a Proxy Server" on page12.
2.2 Activating ZebraDesigner Offline
ZebraDesigner helps you design and print labels on Zebra printers from your computer. To
use ZebraDesigner Professional to efficiently design and print your labels, activate your
copy to use all features.
To activate ZebraDesigner Professional on computers without an internet connection, send
Zebra your activation certificate to receive your license. You need:
l ZebraDesigner Essentials installed and running on your computer.
l Your 18-digit license key, available from Zebra's online store or your Zebra software
distributor.
l Another computer with an active internet connection.
l A way to transfer files between your offline and online computers (e.g., USB Drive,
internal email, networked location).
Open ZebraDesigner and go to Home > Activate Key or File > About > Activate your
license.
1. Click Activate offline.
l Paste in your 18-digit license key. You receive this key after you purchase
ZebraDesigner.
l Type in your information.
2. Click Generate activation certificate. Copy or save your generated text.
l Transfer your saved activation certificate to another computer with an active
internet connection. Use this online computer to complete registration.
3. Send your activation certificate to Zebra. There are two options:
l Use Zebra’s self-service activation portal.
l Email support@Zebra.com and attach your activation certificate.
4. When you send your activation certificate, Zebra emails you your license.
l Transfer this license to your offline computer and paste or load your license.
5. Click Activate your license. Your ZebraDesigner Professional is activated and ready
to use.
NOTE: You cannot activate your license key in virtual PC environments.
To deactivate your license, read section "Deactivating ZebraDesigner" on the next page.
To activate or deactivate your license using proxy server, read section "Activating and
Deactivating over a Proxy Server" on the next page.
2.3 Deactivating ZebraDesigner
ZebraDesigner helps you design and print labels on Zebra printers from your computer. To
use ZebraDesigner Professional, activate your copy to use all features.
To deactivate ZebraDesigner on computers with an active internet connection:
1. Open ZebraDesigner.
2. Go to File > About > Deactivate your license.
l The ZebraDesigner Deactivation warning window opens.
3. Click OK to proceed.
l ZebraDesigner closes. Your ZebraDesigner Professional is deactivated and
ready to use on another computer.
To deactivate ZebraDesigner Professional on computers without an internet connection:
1. Open ZebraDesigner and go to File > About > Deactivate your license.
l The ZebraDesigner Deactivation warning window opens.
2. Click OK to confirm. Your computer tries to access the license server. Because there
is no internet connection, continue offline.
3. Click Deactivate offline.
4. Click Deactivate License to generate your deactivation certificate. This deactivates
your ZebraDesigner.
l Copy or save your generated text.
5. Transfer your saved deactivation certificate to another computer with an active
internet connection. Use this online computer to complete deactivation.
6. Send your deactivation certificate to Zebra. There are two options:
l Use Zebra’s self-service deactivation portal to deactivate your ZebraDesigner
immediately.
l Email support@Zebra.com and attach your deactivation certificate.
l When you send your deactivation certificate, Zebra emails you your license
deactivation confirmation.
Your ZebraDesigner Professional is now deactivated on server and client side.
NOTE: You cannot activate your license key in virtual PC environments.
To activate or deactivate your license using a proxy server, read section "Activating and
Deactivating over a Proxy Server" below
2.4 Activating and Deactivating over a Proxy Server
If your company's internet connection uses a proxy server, use this procedure to activate or
deactivate ZebraDesigner.
2.4.1 Activating over a Proxy Server
1. Open ZebraDesigner. The ZebraDesigner Activation window appears. Click
Activate.
If you are already running the trial, go to:
l File > About and click Activate your license.
l Home > Trial and click Activate Key.
The ZebraDesigner Activation window opens.
2. Type or paste your license key into the License key field. You receive this key after
purchasing your ZebraDesigner license.
3. Type your First name, Last name, Company, and Email address.
4. Configure your proxy connection. Click Configure proxy.
If ZebraDesigner detects no internet connection, the online activation error window
opens automatically. Click Configure proxy.
The proxy configuration window opens.
5. Enable the Use proxy to activate and deactivate your license option and configure
your proxy settings:
l Type your Proxy IPAddress.
l Define the number of your Proxy port.
l If your proxy server connection requires credentials, type your User name and
Password.
6. Click OK. The online activation error window opens again.
7. Click Retry.
8. After connecting, the ZebraDesigner Activation window opens. Click Activate.
l ZebraDesigner is now activated and ready.
l If ZebraDesigner still cannot connect to the license server, you can activate
offline.
2.4.2 Deactivating over a Proxy Server
1. Go to File > About and click Deactivate your license.
l The License deactivation confirmation window appears.
2. Click Yes to deactivate your license.
l If your deactivation is successful, ZebraDesigner closes. You can use your
license key on another computer immediately.
3. If ZebraDesigner cannot connect to the license server, the online deactivation error
window opens. Click Configure proxy.
The proxy configuration window opens.
4. Enable the Use proxy to activate and deactivate your license and configure your
proxy settings:
l Type your Proxy IPAddress.
l Define the number of your Proxy port.
l If your proxy server connection requires credentials, type your User name and
Password.
5. Click OK. The online deactivation error window opens again.
6. Click Retry.
7. If you are connected, the deactivation completes. ZebraDesigner closes.
l You can immediately activate another copy of ZebraDesigner.
l If ZebraDesigner still cannot connect to the license server, you can deactivate
offline.
3 Introduction
3.1 Basic ZebraDesigner Concepts
This section describes the ZebraDesigner elements that enable you to efficiently design a
label.
Listed below are the essential ZebraDesigner concepts.Being familiar with them provides a
perfect starting point for successful labeling projects.
l Label
l Object
l Design Surface
If you come across any other unfamiliar items while working with ZebraDesigner, refer to the
Help tab.
3.1.1 Label
Label works as a template which allows adding label objects and can be printed using any
kind of printing media.
Each object adds a different kind of content such as text, line, ellipse, barcode or rectangle
to a label. The content is either fixed (manually entered by the user) or dynamic (defined
automatically via connected data sources).
After finishing with your label design, you can print the labels using any of your installed
printers.
3.1.2 Object
Object is the basic building block for designing labels and forms. To design a label or form
means to select, add, and position the objects on the design surface.
EXAMPLE: Each object performs a different role. Text object is used for single-line textual
content that does not need to adapt its font size to the label design. Barcode object adds
a barcode whose type and content can be adapted to the needs of current document.
Label object types and their purpose are listed here.
3.1.3 Design Surface
Design surface is ZebraDesigner's central field that serves as a place to create, add,
position, and interconnect the label objects.
To make designing of labels as simple and efficient as possible, design surface follows the
same usability and functional principles as Microsoft Office applications.
TIP: Use View tab to customize design surface.
l Design surface elements are described here.
l Design surface editing actions are described here.
l Design surface visual aid elements are described here.
3.2 Keyboard and Mouse Support
To efficiently perform and complete the ZebraDesigner tasks, follow the guidelines related
to the use of keyboard and mouse:
l How to efficiently use keyboard and mouse
l Mouse wheel support
l Keyboard shortcuts
3.2.1 Efficient Use of Keyboard and Mouse
Use the following list of tips to make your work with ZebraDesigner easier and more
efficient.
1.
Select object anchoring point. Press Ctrl key and click the object placeholders to
quickly define the anchoring point.
2.
Label scrolling and zooming. Use mouse wheel to scroll the label. Holding Ctrl
when rotating the wheel, adjusts zoom factor. Shift scrolls label left or right.
3. Set label or form properties. Double-click the design surface to open the label
properties dialog.
4.
Vertical or horizontal object moving. Hold Shift while moving an object over the
design surface. The object is moved in straight vertical and horizontal lines.
5.
Resize an object with arrow keys. Holding Shift while pressing arrow keys resizes
the object.
6.
Fine-tune the object position. Hold Ctrl while pressing arrow keys.
7. Open contextual menus. Right-click the object or design surface to access the label
or design surface contextual menus.
8.
Select multiple objects. Hold Shift and click the objects to add them to the
selected objects in a group.
9. Quickly add an object with connected data source. Click the object's shortcut
handle in the object toolbox. A list of available data sources appears. Select a data
source or add a new one, and click the design surface to add an object which already
has a dynamic data source connected to it.
3.2.2 Mouse Wheel Support
Use mouse wheel to speed up design object zooming and design surface scrolling.
l Turning the wheel scrolls the label vertical direction.
l Holding <SHIFT> and turning the wheel scrolls the label left or right.
l Holding <CTRL> and turning the wheel zooms the label in or out.
3.2.3 Keyboard Shortcuts
Use keyboard shortcuts to reduce the time needed to accomplish frequent tasks with
ZebraDesigner. To complete these tasks, use a standard combination of keys.
TIP: Keyboard shortcuts are just a faster and more convenient way of choosing
commands. The command itself is executed in the same way as if it was run from the menu
or toolbar.
Action Press
Select all Ctrl+A
Run the startup form Ctrl+D
Paste Ctrl+V
Cut Ctrl+X
Move up ↑
Move right →
Move down ↓
Move left ←
Action Press
Close Alt+F4
Zoom to document Ctrl+0
Bold Ctrl+B
Copy Ctrl+C
Italic Ctrl+I
Zoom Out Ctrl+minus sign on numeric keypad
Zoom In/Out Ctrl+mouse scroll up/down
Open Ctrl+O
Print Ctrl+P
Zoom In Ctrl+plus sign on numeric keypad
Save Ctrl+S
Open blank label connected to default printer Ctrl+Shift+N
Redo CTRL+Y
Undo Ctrl+Z
Cancel Esc
Move Focus Tab or Shift+Tab
Format painter – copy object properties Ctrl+Shift+C
Format painter – paste object properties Ctrl+Shift+V
3.3 Options (Configuring the Program)
To customize the general program configuration of ZebraDesigner, open the Options dialog
which is accessible from the File tab.
ZebraDesigner configuration options are grouped on the following tabs:
l Folders:allows you to set the default locations for storing the labels and picture files.
l Language:selects the user interface language. Select the preferred language from
the listed options.
l Designer: enables you to configure opening behavior of ZebraDesigner.
4 Workspace Overview
ZebraDesigner's workspace offers a flexible and easy-to-use environment for simple label
designing.
ZebraDesigner workspace follows the widely used application interface guidelines, and is
therefore equipped with tools and interface elements that are familiar to a majority of users.
ZebraDesigner workspace consists of the following segments:
l Landing page
l Object and Explorer Panels
l Printer and Status bar
l Tabs and Ribbons
l Design Surface
4.1 Landing Page
ZebraDesigner's landing page is an introductory page which opens after ZebraDesigner
completes loading. It consists of the following segments:
l New document area: creates new or opens existing ZebraDesigner documents.
l Create a New Label:creates a new label document.
l Recent Files: list of recently used ZebraDesigner files.
TIP: The landing page and its segments depend on whether your are running a licensed
ZebraDesigner or a trial version.
l Learning resources: access to useful resources that help you create labels, and learn
more about ZebraDesigner.
l Printer Drivers:access to the Zebra printer drivers. These drivers enable you to
optimize your labels for printing with a specific printer model.
l Software Information: contains information about the installed copy of
ZebraDesigner – license, license key, and installed version.
4.2 Object and Explorer Panels
Object and explorer panels are located at the left-most area of the ZebraDesigner window.
They provide access to objects.
l Object Toolbox: contains available label . These objects are ready to be used on a
label. Click the selected object and drag it to the design surface.
4.3 Printer and Status Bar
Printer and Status bar stretches over the bottom part of the ZebraDesigner window. The
bar performs these roles:
l Printer Selection for the current print job. Select your preferred printer from the
drop-down list of installed printers.
TIP: When changing a printer, label and paper size adapt automatically to the dimensions
defined by the printer driver.
l Printer Properties for the selected printer. The button gives you direct access to
the properties dialog of the selected printer driver.
l Design surface zooming.
4.4 Tabs and Ribbons
ZebraDesigner uses a standard Windows-based interface.
The ZebraDesigner's top section interface segments are described below.
4.4.1 Tabs
Tabs represent subsets of ZebraDesigner features. The tabs contain interrelated
commands that are available to the user in an organized way – grouped, and labeled:
l File (background): opens the print form and document management panel.
l Home: offers commonly used commands such as copy/paste, print, and style
commands.
l View: gives you control over layout tools, zooming options and element markers
visibility.
l Contextual tabs: appear after clicking an object. They allow you to define object-
specific settings. The type of contextual tabs adapts to the selected object.
l Help:besides offering the access to F1 help, this tab leads you to multiple helpful
resources that make your work with ZebraDesigner easier and more efficient.
4.4.2 Ribbon
Ribbon is a rectangular area that spreads across the top of an application window. Related
commands are divided into ribbon groups.The ribbon changes along with the selected tabs
and adapts to the currently used tools using the contextual tabs.
4.4.3 File Tab
File tab serves as document management panel. The following options are available:
l Start:takes you to the ZebraDesigner landing page.
l New: creates a new stand-alone label.
l Open: allows opening existing label.
l Save: saves the active label.
l Save as: allows saving the active label file by defining its name and location.
l Print: opens the printing form.
l Store:stores the current label as a template on the printer to be used in store/recall
mode.
l Close: closes the current ZebraDesigner document.
l Options: opens the dialog for configuring the program defaults.
l About: provides license and software version information.
l Exit: closes the application.
4.4.3.1 Start
Start panel takes you to ZebraDesigner landing page. Use it to create or open documents,
access recently opened files, preview files and learn more about ZebraDesigner.
4.4.3.2 New
New Label creates a new stand-alone label. New Label Setup Wizard opens after clicking
this button.
New from Sample Templates creates a document based on a selection of industrystandard templates.
TIP: There are two ways of opening new labels. You can open each additional document
in a separate instance (window) of ZebraDesigner. An alternative way is to open
additional documents within the already opened instance of ZebraDesigner. To select
the way that suits you better, go to File > Options > Designer.
4.4.3.3 Open
Open dialog allows opening existing label files.
Browse allows selecting the label on local or connected network drives.
Recent Files field lists the latest files that have been edited. Click any of them to open the
file.
4.4.3.4 Save
Save panel saves the active label using the same file name that was used to open it.
NOTE: If a file has been opened for the first time, Save directs you to the Save as on the
File tab.
4.4.3.5 Save as
Save as allows saving the active label file by defining its name and location.
Recent folders field lists the folders that were recently used to save the label files.
4.4.3.6 Print
Print opens the print pane. In ZebraDesigner, print pane hosts a powerful default printing
form.
4.4.3.7 Store/Recall Printing Mode
Store/Recall printing mode is a method for speeding up the printing process. It increases
printer response by reducing the amount of data that needs to be sent during repetitive
printing tasks.
With store/recall mode activated, ZebraDesigner does not need to resend the complete
label data for each printout. Instead, default labels (templates) and internal printer elements
(graphics, fonts) are stored in the printer memory, and ZebraDesigner only sends recall
commands which render the stored label content during the printing process. Typically, a
few bytes of data are sent to the printer as compared to a few kilobytes in the case of
normal printing.
The action consists of two processes:
l Store label. During this process, ZebraDesigner creates a description of the label
template formatted in the selected printer's command language. When done,
ZebraDesigner sends the created command file to the printer memory and stores it.
l Recall label. A label stored in the printer memory is printed out immediately. Using
the recall process, ZebraDesigner creates another command file to instruct the
printer which label from its memory should be printed. The recall label command
occupies a few bytes of data only. The actual amount of data depends on the current
situation. For fixed labels without any variable contents, the recall command file only
contains the recall label command. For variable labels that contain variable fields, the
command file includes the values for these variables and the recall label command.
NOTE: Before activating this mode, make sure the appropriate printer driver is selected
for the label printer. Not all label printers have the ability to use the store/recall printing
mode.
1. Click File > Store. Make sure the Store variant points to the correct memory location
in the printer.
2. Insert or select values for variable objects that are not formatted as internal printer
objects. These variables will be given the same value on each label. They will behave
as objects with fixed values.
3. Click Store to printer to create the command file with label template description and
to send it to the printer.
4. Insert values for prompted label variables. These variables are linked with internal
printer objects on the label. For this reason, their values can be changed during each
printing.
5. Click Print to send variable values and recall label command to the selected label
printer.
4.4.3.8 Options (Configuring the Program)
To customize the general program configuration of ZebraDesigner, open the Options dialog
which is accessible from the File tab.
ZebraDesigner configuration options are grouped on the following tabs:
l Folders:allows you to set the default locations for storing the labels and picture files.
l Language:selects the user interface language. Select the preferred language from
the listed options.
l Designer: enables you to configure opening behavior of ZebraDesigner.
4.4.3.8.1 Folders
Folders tab defines the default location for opening and storing the documents and files
which are edited and used in ZebraDesigner.
NOTE: Make sure read/write rights are granted to the account under which the
ZebraDesigner is running.
l Labels:location for opening and saving the label files.
l Database: location for file databases (Excel, Access, Text).
l Picture: location for opening the picture files.
Folders set in this tab serve as the default location when searching for a specific file in
ZebraDesigner.
4.4.3.8.2 Language
Language tab allows selecting the ZebraDesigner interface language. Select the
appropriate language and click OK.
NOTE: Restart is necessary to make the user interface appear in the selected language.
Make sure you save your work before closing the program.
4.4.3.8.3 Designer
Designer tab enables you to configure opening behavior of ZebraDesigner.
Opening mode group defines how your ZebraDesigner opens new documents.
l Display each document in its own window: If enabled, additionally opened
documents appear in separate windows of ZebraDesigner. This applies to both –
newly created and existing documents.
If you decide to disable this option, additionally opened documents will appear within
the currently active instance of ZebraDesigner.
Printer Settings Source group allows you to choose the source of printer settings.
l Use printer settings from the printer driver: Select this option if you prefer printing
using the printer driver settings. This option allows you to standardize the printer
settings in your working environment.
l Use custom printer settings saved in the label: Each label may have its own printer
settings defined and saved by the user. Select this option to use custom settings for
your labels while printing.
4.4.3.9 About
The About dialog page provides information about your Zebra product license, enables
license purchasing (when in trial mode) and activation, provides software details, and
enables you to change the ZebraDesigner product level.
l Product level tells you the product level you are currently running.
l Change product level: opens the product level selection dialog. When in trial mode,
you can choose and evaluate all product levels. With an activated license, you can
change your product level only to lower levels.
l Trial mode duration: information about the remaining days for product evaluation.
l Purchase License: button directs you to the Zebra online store.
l Activate license: button opens the ZebraDesigner license activation dialog. After
activating the license, this button is renamed to Deactivate License – after clicking it
and confirming the deactivation, your copy of ZebraDesigner is no longer activated.
NOTE: These segments are no longer visible after purchasing and activating the
product license.
Product level changes take effect after you restart ZebraDesigner.
If ZebraDesigner has been installed with predefined product level (i.e., the level has been
defined by the license key), product level selection is not required during first start.
l License type: is the type of license that you are using to run the ZebraDesigner.
Software information contains information about the installed copy of ZebraDesigner –
license, license key, and installed version.
4.4.4 Home Tab
Home Tab provides access to frequently used commands and settings in the following
ribbon groups:
l Clipboard: temporarily stores the selected elements, objects or groups of objects.
l Font: group lets you define the font properties.
l Action: group contains the Print button which starts the printing procedure or runs a
form.
l Management: group provides direct access to Document properties.
l The Align group options define relative horizontal and vertical positioning for the
object content.
l Object: group allows you to align, group or arrange label objects.
4.4.4.1 Clipboard
Clipboard group temporarily stores the selected elements, objects or groups of objects.
Use the selected and stored objects to transfer them from one label to another.
TIP: Copying and pasting of textual (plain text) and graphical (bitmaps) content between
multiple applications is supported.
l Paste: pastes the clipboard contents on the design surface. Multiple reuse of a single
clipboard item is allowed.
l Cut: removes the selected element(s) from the design surface and adds it to the
clipboard to be pasted elsewhere. Note that the first element is selected by clicking
it. When selecting additional elements, press and hold Shift key while clicking
these elements.
l Copy: copies the selected content to the clipboard. Multiple objects can be copied at
once – select them and click Copy.
l Delete: deletes the selected elements or objects. They are not stored in the
clipboard.
l Format painter: copies the formatting properties from one object to another. This is
how you multiply the style of your reference object.
EXAMPLE: Use the format painter to copy font, font size, font color, alignment and
spacing from your reference Text object to all other Text objects using a single
action.
To copy the object style properties:
1. Click your reference object. This is the object you want to copy the properties
from.
2. Click the format painter.
3. Click the target object. This object now has the same properties as your
reference object.
When using the format painter for different objects, you are copying and pasting the
object's properties from the Style tab. If there are matching Style properties
between the objects, ZebraDesigner transfers these properties to the target object.
EXAMPLE: When multiplying the properties from a Rectangle object to Ellipse
objects, all Style tab properties apply, except for the corner radius. This property is
only applicable to the Ellipse object.
NOTE: You can also copy properties between the objects on different labels,
different forms, or between objects on labels and forms.
4.4.4.2 Font
Font group defines font properties:
l Show/hide printer fonts: button allows you to exclusively display internal printer
fonts on the list of available fonts. Graphical fonts are hidden in this case. After
pressing this button again, all available fonts are visible on the list once more.
l Font: defines the font family to be used in a selected object.
l Font Size: defines the text size in an object. Select the desired point size from the
dropdown selector or enter it manually.
l Font Style: defines the object text stylistic characteristics of text, such as bold or
italic.
l Alignment: defines horizontal text positioning in an object: Left, Center or Right.
l Justify: makes a paragraph aligned along the left and right object margins.
TIP: When changing a font during the design process, ZebraDesigner remembers the
last used font type and size.
4.4.4.3 Action
Action group creates a printing shortcut or starts the printing procedure.
Print button opens the ZebraDesigner Print pane as defined by the Default Printing Form.
4.4.4.4 Management
Management ribbon group provides direct access to:
l Document Properties opens current label properties.
4.4.4.5 Align
The Align group options define relative horizontal and vertical positioning for the object
content:
l Align Objects Left: aligns objects with the left border of the first selected object or
with the leftmost object.
l Align Objects Center: aligns objects with the horizontal center of the first selected
object or with horizontal center of the largest object.
l Align Objects Right: aligns objects with the right border of the first selected object
or with the rightmost object.
l Distribute Horizontally: distributes objects using equal horizontal spacing.
l Align Objects Top: aligns objects with the upper border of the first selected object or
with the highest object.
l Align Objects Middle: aligns objects with the vertical center of the first selected
object or with vertical center of the largest object.
l Align Objects Bottom: aligns objects with the bottom border of the first selected
object or with the lowest object.
l Distribute Vertically: distributes objects using equal vertical spacing.
4.4.4.6 Object grouping and arranging
The Object group helps you work with mutiple objects.
Group objects unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a single object.
l Group Objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a single
element.
l Ungroup objects: separates the grouped objects.
Arrange positions the objects so that they appear either in front of or behind each other:
l Send Backward: sends the element back one level.
l Send to Back: sends the element behind all other elements on the label.
l Bring Forward: brings the element forward one level.
l Send to Front: sends the element in front of all other elements on the label.
4.4.5 View Tab
View Tab gives you control over document zooming, marker visibility, visual aids and design
surface rotation. It makes the following ribbon groups available:
l Zoom: defines design surface zoom level and ZebraDesigner window zoom behavior.
l Object Markers Visibility: defines visibility settings for object properties.
l Alignment and Gridlines: sets object positioning behavior and defines properties for
design surface gridlines.
l Rotation:rotates the design surface clockwise for 90° per click.
4.4.5.1 Zoom
Zoom group defines the design surface zoom level.
l Zoom to Document: displays the entire label in the ZebraDesigner window.
l Zoom to Objects: displays all objects in the ZebraDesigner window.
l Zoom In: magnifies the design surface by a percentage of the currently defined zoom
level.
l Zoom Out: decreases the design surface by a percentage of the currently defined
zoom level.
4.4.5.2 Alignment and Gridline Guides
Alignment and Gridlines group sets object positioning behavior and defines properties for
design surface gridlines.
l Display gridline guides: makes the design surface grid dots visible.
l Grid Size X: defines horizontal distance between the grid dots.
l Grid Size Y: defines vertical distance between the grid dots.
l Grid Offset X: defines the horizontal offset of the grid from the design surface
center.
l Grid Offset Y: defines the vertical offset of the grid from the design surface center.
l Align to Objects: makes an object align with other objects on the design surface.
When an object is aligned, a line which marks the object alignment appears.
l Align to Gridlines: aligns the selected objects with gridlines.
l Do Not Align: makes the object position independent of gridlines and position of
other object(s).
4.4.5.3 Rotation
Rotate view button rotates the design surface clockwise. Horizontal and vertical rulers
adapt to the current position of the design surface.
TIP: Rotation type is defined by the printer driver. Certain drivers support complete 360°
rotation (90° per click), while others allow 90° rotation clockwise (portrait/landscape).
4.4.6 Contextual Tabs
Contextual tab is a hidden tab that becomes visible when a specific label object is selected
on the design surface. Contextual tabs appear on the right side of the standard
ZebraDesigner tab. The selection of displayed tabs depends on the object that you are
currently editing.
4.4.6.1 Label-specific Contextual Tabs
When editing various label objects, the following contextual tabs appear depending on the
selected object:
l Design tab
l Barcode tab
l Shape tab
l Picture tab
l Text tab
4.4.6.1.1 Design Contextual Tab
Design tab serves as a contextual tab that defines the layout and positioning of the
selected label object.
The following groups of settings are available on the Design tab:
l General: defines object's visibility and printability on a label.
l Positioning: defines the object's position on the design surface.
l Arrange: positions the object relative to neighboring objects on a label.
General
General group defines the object's visibility and printability on a label.
l Not printable: when enabled, this option prevents the object from being printed on
the label. The object remains visible on the label preview.
l Visible: when disabled, the object neither appears on the print preview nor on the
printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
l Name: allows you to enter object name and its description.
Positioning
Positioning group sets the object location and size on a label.
Position button opens:
l X and Y: coordinates set the exact position on the design surface.
l Width and Height: object dimensions.
l Keep aspect ratio: makes sure both object dimensions change proportionally while
resizing.
l Rotation angle: rotates the object clockwise.
Anchoring Point button defines the spot where an object is pinned to the design surface.
Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the
chosen anchoring point.
Keep aspect ratio: makes sure the object is resized proportionally.
Lock prevents the selected object from being moved during the design process.
Arrange
Arrange group defines how objects are positioned in a group.
l Bring forward: moves the selected object up one layer.
l Bring to front: moves the selected object to the top of the object stack.
l Send backward: moves the selected object down one layer.
l Send to back: moves the selected object to the bottom of the object stack.
l Group objects: adds selected objects to a group.
l Group objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a
single object.
l Ungroup objects separates previously grouped objects.
Align group allows setting the alignment and spacing for objects on the design surface. All
objects can be aligned according to the neighboring object or according to the document
border.
Horizontal alignment options are:
l Left: aligns the selected objects with the left edge of the leftmost object or with the
left edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's left border.
l Center Horizontally: aligns the selected objects with the horizontal center of the
largest selected object or with the horizontal center of the first selected object. If a
single object is selected, it is placed in the horizontal center of a label.
l Align Objects Right: aligns the selected objects with the right edge of the rightmost
object or with the right edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected,
it is placed on the label's right border.
l Distribute Horizontally: equalizes horizontal spacing between the objects.
Vertical alignment options are:
l Top: aligns the selected objects with the top edge of the topmost object or with the
top edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's top border.
l Center Vertically: aligns the selected objects with the vertical center of the largest
selected object or with the vertical center of the first selected object. If a single
object is selected, it is placed in the vertical center of a label.
l Bottom: aligns the selected objects with the bottom edge of the lowest object or
with the bottom edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is
placed on the label's bottom border.
l Distribute Vertically: equalizes vertical spacing between the objects.
4.4.6.1.2 Barcode Contextual Tab
Barcode tab serves as a contextual tab that defines the type, layout and positioning of
barcode object.
The following groups of settings are available on the Barcode tab:
l Barcode: defines basic barcode symbol type and its dimensions.
l Settings:defines barcode details.
l Arrange: positions the object relative to neighboring objects on a label.
Barcode Tab
Barcode group allows you to choose the barcode type and to set the dimensions of your
barcode symbol.
NOTE: Settings in Barcode group depend on the selected barcode type.
l Barcode Type: defines type of the barcode symbol to be used on a label.
By default, Code128 barcode type is selected. For more details about the available barcode
types, see section Barcode Types and Available Settings.
l DataBar Type: if one of the DataBar barcode types is selected, DataBar Type
defines its specific subtype to be used on the label.
l X dimension: width of the barcode's narrow bar in the selected Unit of
measurement.
l Height: vertical dimension of your barcode in the selected Unit of measurement.
l Ratio defines the ratio between the barcode's narrow and wide bar widths.
Each barcode type's range of permitted ratios is limited by the standard.
ZebraDesigner only allows you to use valid ratios. By default, the ratio is set to 3. This
means that the wide bar is 3 times the width of a narrow bar.
NOTE: The available ratios depend on the selected X dimension. If you are
changing the X dimension, this also affects the selection of available ratios.
l Row height defines the height of a single data row in 2D barcodes. Row height is
specified as a multiple over the X dimension.
Settings
Settings group allows you to configure barcode details.
Human Readable button defines the human readable content's layout.
l No human readable: makes the barcode appear without the human readable text.
l Above barcode: locates human readable text above the barcode.
l Below barcode: locates human readable text below the barcode.
l Content mask: enables the user to reformat the input data before passing it to the
human readable part.
l Barcode Details button opens advanced 1D and 2D barcode settings:
l Include quiet zones: adds blank space around the printed barcode to ensure
the highest level of scanning reliability.
l Space correction: adds white pixels to increase the gap width (in dots)
between the bars.
l Check digit is used by any scanning system to verify that the number scanned
from a barcode is read correctly.
Check digit is derived from the preceding barcode digits and is placed as the final digit of a
barcode.
l Color: sets the barcode's line and human readable content color on the printed label.
Arrange
Arrange group defines how objects are positioned in a group.
l Bring forward: moves the selected object up one layer.
l Bring to front: moves the selected object to the top of the object stack.
l Send backward: moves the selected object down one layer.
l Send to back: moves the selected object to the bottom of the object stack.
l Group objects: adds selected objects to a group.
l Group objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a
single object.
l Ungroup objects separates previously grouped objects.
Align group allows setting the alignment and spacing for objects on the design surface. All
objects can be aligned according to the neighboring object or according to the document
border.
Horizontal alignment options are:
l Left: aligns the selected objects with the left edge of the leftmost object or with the
left edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's left border.
l Center Horizontally: aligns the selected objects with the horizontal center of the
largest selected object or with the horizontal center of the first selected object. If a
single object is selected, it is placed in the horizontal center of a label.
l Align Objects Right: aligns the selected objects with the right edge of the rightmost
object or with the right edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected,
it is placed on the label's right border.
l Distribute Horizontally: equalizes horizontal spacing between the objects.
Vertical alignment options are:
l Top: aligns the selected objects with the top edge of the topmost object or with the
top edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's top border.
l Center Vertically: aligns the selected objects with the vertical center of the largest
selected object or with the vertical center of the first selected object. If a single
object is selected, it is placed in the vertical center of a label.
l Bottom: aligns the selected objects with the bottom edge of the lowest object or
with the bottom edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is
placed on the label's bottom border.
l Distribute Vertically: equalizes vertical spacing between the objects.
4.4.6.1.3 Shape Contextual Tab
Shape tab serves as a contextual tab that defines the appearance of ellipse, rectangle and
line objects.
The following groups of settings are available on the Shape tab:
l Outline:defines how the line of the selected shape should appear.
l Fill:group defines the shape's fill style and color.
l Arrange:positions the object relative to neighboring objects on a label.
Outline
Outline group defines how the line of the selected shape should appear.
Outline Style button options are:
l None: makes the object line invisible.
l Solid: makes the object line solid.
l Dot: makes the object line dotted.
l Dash: makes the object line dashed.
l Clear: makes parts of other objects underneath the line invisible.
Outline Color defines the color of the shape's line.
Thickness defines the object line's width.
Corner radius: makes the rectangle corners round. Higher values make the curve broader.
Fill
Fill group defines the shape's fill style and color.
FillStyle options are:
l None: makes the object completely transparent.
l Clear: makes other objects beneath the active one invisible.
l Solid: fills the object with solid color.
l 25% of color: sets fill color opacity to 25 %.
l 50% of color: sets fill color opacity to 50 %
l 75% of color: sets fill color opacity to 75 %.
Background Color defines the color of the shape's fill.
Arrange
Arrange group defines how objects are positioned in a group.
l Bring forward: moves the selected object up one layer.
l Bring to front: moves the selected object to the top of the object stack.
l Send backward: moves the selected object down one layer.
l Send to back: moves the selected object to the bottom of the object stack.
l Group objects: adds selected objects to a group.
l Group objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a
single object.
l Ungroup objects separates previously grouped objects.
Align group allows setting the alignment and spacing for objects on the design surface. All
objects can be aligned according to the neighboring object or according to the document
border.
Horizontal alignment options are:
l Left: aligns the selected objects with the left edge of the leftmost object or with the
left edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's left border.
l Center Horizontally: aligns the selected objects with the horizontal center of the
largest selected object or with the horizontal center of the first selected object. If a
single object is selected, it is placed in the horizontal center of a label.
l Align Objects Right: aligns the selected objects with the right edge of the rightmost
object or with the right edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected,
it is placed on the label's right border.
l Distribute Horizontally: equalizes horizontal spacing between the objects.
Vertical alignment options are:
l Top: aligns the selected objects with the top edge of the topmost object or with the
top edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's top border.
l Center Vertically: aligns the selected objects with the vertical center of the largest
selected object or with the vertical center of the first selected object. If a single
object is selected, it is placed in the vertical center of a label.
l Bottom: aligns the selected objects with the bottom edge of the lowest object or
with the bottom edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is
placed on the label's bottom border.
l Distribute Vertically: equalizes vertical spacing between the objects.
4.4.6.1.4 Picture Contextual Tab
Picture tab serves as a contextual tab that defines picture resizing options and object
arranging.
The following groups of settings are available on the Picture tab:
l Resize: resizes the object relative to neighboring objects on a label.
l Arrange: positions the object relative to neighboring objects on a label.
Resize
Resize group defines if the picture adapts to the label size at print time or not.
Picture Fit button opens the picture sizing options.
l Resize options: define how the source file dimensions adapt to the size of object at
print time.
l Keep original picture size: disables resizing. The source file is displayed using
the object with its original dimensions.
l Resize proportionally: makes the source file resize proportionally. The aspect
ratio of source file dimensions is preserved.
l Resize to the designed size: resizes the picture horizontally and vertically to
make it fit into the bounding box. Using this option will most likely make the
picture distorted.
l Original size: displays the picture's Width and Height before resizing.
l Revert to original picture size: removes resizing actions.
Keep aspect ratio makes sure both object dimensions change proportionally while resizing.
Arrange
Arrange group defines how objects are positioned in a group.
l Bring forward: moves the selected object up one layer.
l Bring to front: moves the selected object to the top of the object stack.
l Send backward: moves the selected object down one layer.
l Send to back: moves the selected object to the bottom of the object stack.
l Group objects: adds selected objects to a group.
l Group objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a
single object.
l Ungroup objects separates previously grouped objects.
Align group allows setting the alignment and spacing for objects on the design surface. All
objects can be aligned according to the neighboring object or according to the document
border.
Horizontal alignment options are:
l Left: aligns the selected objects with the left edge of the leftmost object or with the
left edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's left border.
l Center Horizontally: aligns the selected objects with the horizontal center of the
largest selected object or with the horizontal center of the first selected object. If a
single object is selected, it is placed in the horizontal center of a label.
l Align Objects Right: aligns the selected objects with the right edge of the rightmost
object or with the right edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected,
it is placed on the label's right border.
l Distribute Horizontally: equalizes horizontal spacing between the objects.
Vertical alignment options are:
l Top: aligns the selected objects with the top edge of the topmost object or with the
top edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's top border.
l Center Vertically: aligns the selected objects with the vertical center of the largest
selected object or with the vertical center of the first selected object. If a single
object is selected, it is placed in the vertical center of a label.
l Bottom: aligns the selected objects with the bottom edge of the lowest object or
with the bottom edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is
placed on the label's bottom border.
l Distribute Vertically: equalizes vertical spacing between the objects.
4.4.6.1.5 Text Contextual Tab
Text tab serves as a contextual tab that defines formatting of Text object.
The following groups of settings are available on the Text tab:
l Format: lets you define the text format.
l Text Settings: lets you define the layout of any textual content that is added to label
object.
l Arrange:positions the object relative to neighboring objects on a label.
Format
Format group lets you define the text format.
l Show/hide printer fonts: button turns visibility of printer fonts on the font list on/off.
l Font: allows specifying the typeface and its size. Fonts fall into two groups, OpenType
fonts and Printer fonts.
NOTE: If the currently selected printer is a thermal printer, additional fonts will be
visible on the list of available fonts. These are the Printer fonts identified by the
printer icon in front of their names.
l The font may appear Bold, Italic, Underlined or as a Strikethrough text.
l Scaling: factor that defines how much the font is stretched from its original
proportions.
If the stretch factor is set to 100 %, the font has a normal look. If factor is 200 %, it means
that font is twice as wide as normal. If it is 50 %, the font is half as wide.
l Font color: specifies font and underscore color.
Text Settings
Text Setting group allows defining the layout of any textual content that is added to the
object.
Character and Paragraph button opens line and character spacing options:
l Line spacing: distance between each line in a paragraph.
l Character spacing: distance between individual characters.
Effects button displays the available text effects:
l Inverse: inverts the colors of text and background.
Arrange
Arrange group defines how objects are positioned in a group.
l Bring forward: moves the selected object up one layer.
l Bring to front: moves the selected object to the top of the object stack.
l Send backward: moves the selected object down one layer.
l Send to back: moves the selected object to the bottom of the object stack.
l Group objects: adds selected objects to a group.
l Group objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a
single object.
l Ungroup objects separates previously grouped objects.
Align group allows setting the alignment and spacing for objects on the design surface. All
objects can be aligned according to the neighboring object or according to the document
border.
Horizontal alignment options are:
l Left: aligns the selected objects with the left edge of the leftmost object or with the
left edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's left border.
l Center Horizontally: aligns the selected objects with the horizontal center of the
largest selected object or with the horizontal center of the first selected object. If a
single object is selected, it is placed in the horizontal center of a label.
l Align Objects Right: aligns the selected objects with the right edge of the rightmost
object or with the right edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected,
it is placed on the label's right border.
l Distribute Horizontally: equalizes horizontal spacing between the objects.
Vertical alignment options are:
l Top: aligns the selected objects with the top edge of the topmost object or with the
top edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's top border.
l Center Vertically: aligns the selected objects with the vertical center of the largest
selected object or with the vertical center of the first selected object. If a single
object is selected, it is placed in the vertical center of a label.
l Bottom: aligns the selected objects with the bottom edge of the lowest object or
with the bottom edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is
placed on the label's bottom border.
l Distribute Vertically: equalizes vertical spacing between the objects.
4.4.7 Help Tab
Help tab provides direct access to various resources that help you design and use labels
quickly and efficiently.
Help ribbon group includes buttons with links to the following resources:
l Help:ZebraDesigner online help.
l User Guides:online collection of Zebra user guides. The collection includes user
guides for the entire product portfolio.
l Training Videos:Zebra collection of training videos.
l Knowledge base: online library of articles that describe many technical solutions, tips,
and solved issues for labels.
l Sample files:access to the collection of sample label files. Use them to become
familiar with ZebraDesigner and to explore software capabilities.
l Technical support: connects you with Zebra technical support department.
Product ribbon group includes links to:
l Software About page
l Zebra web page:https://www.zebra.com
4.5 Design Surface
Design surface is ZebraDesigner's central field that serves as a place to create, add,
position, and interconnect the label objects.
To make designing of labels as simple and efficient as possible, design surface follows the
same usability and functional principles as Microsoft Office applications.
TIP: Use View tab to customize design surface.
l Design surface elements are described here.
l Design surface editing actions are described here.
l Design surface visual aid elements are described here.
4.5.1 Design Surface Elements
Design surface consists of the following elements:
l Ruler: Design surface is equipped with horizontal and vertical ruler. Use it to line up
the objects or to properly position the label and its content. Change the unit
measurements displayed on the ruler in Label properties.
l Paper: Yellow area of the design surface displays the current size of paper. The
information about supported paper format is acquired from the printer driver, but you
also have the option to define custom format. Manual paper size has to be defined
when printing on regular office sheets of paper. See Paper section for more details.
l Label: White area represents the area for label designing. Red line displays limit of the
currently printable area.
l Object Properties Window: Defines the selected label object's properties. Double-
click an object to open the dialog.
4.5.2 Design Surface Editing Actions
Below listed are the most relevant common actions for editing the objects on design
surface:
l Object arranging: allows the objects to be placed in front of or behind other objects
in a group. Arranging options are described here.
l Objects aligning: allows the objects to be aligned among each other. Aligning
options are described here.
l Zooming: enables the entire design surface to be zoomed in or out. Zooming options
are described here.
l Scrolling: enables sliding the design surface up and down.
l Selecting: enables the objects on design surface to be selected for editing
individually or in a group. Group selection allows any actions to be applied to multiple
object simultaneously.
l Rotating: enables object rotation.
4.5.3 Visual Aid Elements
Listed below are the visual aid elements that enable you to work with ZebraDesigner.
l Gridlines serve as a visual aid during the design process. They can be either visible
or hidden. Their density is customizable. Gridline options are available in
ZebraDesigner's Align ribbon group.
l Snaplines are non-visible alignment lines that help the user align the objects during
the design process. Snap options are available in ZebraDesigner's Align ribbon group.
l Ruler shows the available design area for label (white colored field) and file page (gray
colored field).
l Resize handles appear on the selected (active) objects. They enable you to resize
the object dimensions. X and Y dimensions can be resized simultaneously or
separately.
l Margins are the amount of fixed space between the edge of an object and the edge
of a label.
4.5.4 Object Properties Window
When designing a label object, double-click an object to set its properties.
Double-click opens the object properties window. Available object properties window
options adapt to each selected object and its properties.
l Available label objects and their properties are listed and described in detail here.
After pressing F4, object properties dialog becomes pinned as object properties editor on
the right side of the design surface.
4.6 Document Properties and Management Dialogs
ZebraDesigner offers multiple dialogs that help you configure and manage the active
document and connected data sources. Read the following topics for detailed instruction:
l Label Properties
4.6.1 Label Properties
Label Properties editor selects the printer, sets label dimensions, and defines the printing
paper properties.
The label properties settings are listed below and appear as dialog tabs:
Label Property Description
Printer Selects the preferred printer.
Label Dimensions Defines the Unit of measure and label dimensions.
Paper Defines the printing paper properties.
Stocks Selects the stock type.
Style Defines the label style parameters.
Info Inserts the label description.
TIP: To open the Label Properties Editor, double-click the design surface.
4.7 Context Menus
In ZebraDesigner, right-click displays various context menus that contain commonly used
commands. The availability of commands depends on the selected items – design surface or
object.
4.7.1 Design Surface Context Menu
When right-clicking the design surface, a context menu appears. The context menu includes
commonly used commands:
l Document Properties: opens the dialog.
l Paste: pastes clipboard contents on the design surface. Multiple reuse of a single
clipboard item is allowed.
l Cut: removes the selected element(s) from the design surface and adds it to the
clipboard to be pasted elsewhere.
l Copy: copies the selected object to the clipboard.
l Select all: selects all objects on the design surface.
l Align to objects: makes the object on the design surface align with other objects.
When two objects are aligned, a leading line appears linking the edges of the two
aligned objects.
l Align to grid: makes the object on the design surface align with gridlines. When
moving the object, it always snaps to the gridline.
l Display gridline guides: makes the gridlines visible.
l Objects markers visibility: toggles visibility for the object properties. Markers
become visible when moving the mouse pointer over the object.
l Object name: marker shows the name of an object.
l Internal element: marker shows if the selected object belongs to the internal
printer elements.
l Counter: marker shows that the connected variable is Counter.
l Locked object: marker shows that an object's position is locked.
l Zoom: defines zooming behavior.
l Zoom to Document: shows the entire label in the ZebraDesigner window.
l Zoom to Objects: shows all objects in the ZebraDesigner window.
4.7.2 Object Context Menu
When right-clicking an object, a context menu appears. The context menu includes the
following commands:
l Properties: opens object properties dialog.
l Copy: copies the selected content to the clipboard.
l Cut: removes the selected element from the design surface and adds it to the
clipboard to be pasted elsewhere.
l Delete: removes the selected object from the design surface.
l Lock: prevents the selected object from being moved.
l Arrange: positions the objects so that they appear either in front of or behind each
other.
l Bring Forward: brings the element forward for one level.
l Send backward: sends the element back for one level.
l Send to Front: sends the element in front of all other elements on the label.
l Send to Back: sends the element behind all other elements on the label.
4.7.3 Group Context Menu
When right-clicking an object, a context menu appears. The context menu includes the
following commands:
l Properties: opens common object properties dialog.
l Copy: copies the selected content to the clipboard.
l Cut: removes the selected object from the design surface and adds it to the clipboard
to be pasted elsewhere.
l Delete: deletes the selected object(s) from the design surface.
l Lock: prevents the selected objects from being moved.
l Group objects: unites the selected objects and makes them behave as a single
object.
l Ungroup objects: separates previously grouped objects.
Arrange group defines how objects are positioned in a group.
l Send backward: moves the selected object down one level.
l Send to back: moves the selected object to the bottom of the object stack.
l Bring forward: moves the selected object up one level.
l Bring to front: moves the selected object to the top of the object stack.
Align group allows setting the alignment and spacing for objects on the design surface. All
objects can be aligned according to the neighboring object or according to the document
border.
Horizontal alignment options are:
l Left: aligns the selected objects with the left edge of the leftmost object or with the
left edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's left border.
l Center Horizontally: aligns the selected objects with the horizontal center of the
largest selected object or with the horizontal center of the first selected object. If a
single object is selected, it is placed in the horizontal center of a label.
l Align Objects Right: aligns the selected objects with the right edge of the rightmost
object or with the right edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected,
it is placed on the label's right border.
l Distribute Horizontally: equalizes horizontal spacing between the objects.
Vertical alignment options are:
l Top: aligns the selected objects with the top edge of the topmost object or with the
top edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is placed on the
label's top border.
l Center Vertically: aligns the selected objects with the vertical center of the largest
selected object or with the vertical center of the first selected object. If a single
object is selected, it is placed in the vertical center of a label.
l Bottom: aligns the selected objects with the bottom edge of the lowest object or
with the bottom edge of the first selected object. If a single object is selected, it is
placed on the label's bottom border.
l Distribute Vertically: equalizes vertical spacing between the objects.
5 Label
Label works as a template which allows adding label objects and can be printed using any
kind of printing media.
Each object adds a different kind of content such as text, line, ellipse, barcode or rectangle
to a label. The content is either fixed (manually entered by the user) or dynamic (defined
automatically via connected data sources).
After finishing with your label design, you can print the labels using any of your installed
printers.
5.1 Label Setup Wizard
Label Setup Wizard guides you through the process of creating a new label. The wizard
consists of four configuration steps and a summary:
l Step 1:Select the Printer
l Step 2:Set the Page Size
l Step 3:Select the Label Layout
l Step 4:Specify the Label Dimensions
l Step 5: Summary
After finishing these steps, the label is ready for editing and printing.
NOTE: To quit Label Setup Wizard during any step, press Escape. The new label
properties are set to default.
5.1.1 Step 1:Select the Printer
This step selects the printer to be used for printing the newly created label. It also provides
direct access to printer driver properties.
1. Select the printer from the dropdown list.
2. Label setup wizard remembers the last selected printer. When creating another new
label, the wizard will automatically select the printer that you selected for your last
created label. If this printer is currently missing, your default printer is selected.
5.1.2 Step 2: Set the Page Size
This step defines how the page size is selected. When using a thermal printer, it is
recommended to set the size automatically. Manual selection proves to be useful if you know
the exact stock code or label format.
NOTE: When changing the printer, the Page Size settings always go to default
(automatic).
1. Select print media.
l Print on a roll of labels option prints on the installed roll of labels. Page size
for thermal printers is detected automatically.
NOTE: If a thermal printer is selected in the preceding Select the Printer
wizard step, this option is enabled by default.
l Print on a sheet of paper option prints labels on sheets of paper. It lets you
manually define the label page size to fit the printer.
With this option selected, additional settings appear:
l Unit of measure: defines the unit of measure to be used while designing
the label.
l Paper: defines the label page Width and Height.
NOTE: If a regular home/office printer is selected in the preceding Select
Printer wizard step, Page size is enabled by default.
2. Select stock.
Load settings from a predefined stock option sets the page to be defined by the
selected stock type.
With this option selected, additional settings appear:
l Stock: defines which stock type should be used when designing and printing
the newly created label. Stock types are usually associated with printer
vendors or stationery suppliers. Select the exact stock from the dropdown
menu.
If the selected stock is not compatible with printer, a warning appears. Label
designing and printing is disabled.
l Stock information: displays the selected stock's properties.
5.1.3 Step 3:Select the Label Layout
This step defines the label orientation and rotation on a printer:
l Orientation: sets the new label layout as Portrait or Landscape.
l Rotation: rotates the Printer Layout of a label by 180 degrees, if the selected printer
supports it.
l Preview field: displays the label layout according to the currently set properties.
5.1.4 Step 4:Specify the Label Dimensions
This step defines the dimensions of the newly created label, its margins, measurement unit,
and labels across positioning settings:
l Unit of measure: defines the unit to be used while designing the label.
l Label Dimensions: define the new label's Width and Height.
l Margins: define the distance between the edge of the printing surface and the edge
of the label (left/right, top/bottom).
l Labels Across: defines the number of labels to be printed on a single label sheet.
l Horizontal count: number of labels in a row.
l Vertical count: number of labels in a column.
l Horizontal gap: sets horizontal distance between the labels on a sheet.
l Vertical gap: sets vertical distance between the labels on a sheet.
l Processing order: defines the direction in which the labels are printed. Set the
starting corner where the printing starts and define the horizontal and vertical
direction of label positioning.
5.1.5 Step 5:Summary
This step summarizes the new label properties as defined using the Label Setup Wizard.
Before clicking Finish to enter the label editing and printing phases, check the displayed
settings:
l Printer: selected printer for label printing.
l Label dimensions: dimensions of newly created label.
l Paper dimensions: dimensions of printable paper.
5.2 Label Properties
Label Properties editor selects the printer, sets label dimensions, and defines the printing
paper properties.
The label properties settings are listed below and appear as dialog tabs:
Label Property Description
Printer Selects the preferred printer.
Label Dimensions Defines the Unit of measure and label dimensions.
Paper Defines the printing paper properties.
Stocks Selects the stock type.
Style Defines the label style parameters.
Info Inserts the label description.
TIP: To open the Label Properties Editor, double-click the design surface.
5.2.1 Printer
Printer tab lets you define the printer to print the labels on, and to set printing behavior.
Printer dropdown menu lets you select a printer from the currently available printers.
TIP: To set the printer settings, select a printer and click Printer properties. This button
gives direct access to the selected printer's driver and its settings.
5.2.2 Label Dimensions
Label Dimensions tab specifies label dimensions and defines whether its size should adapt
to the changing size of the objects or not.
Unit of measure defines the unit to be used while designing the label. There are four
available units:cm, in, mm, and dot.
Label Dimensions group defines the label's Width and Height. Label dimension settings
become active if manual label dimensions are enabled.
When manually inserting the unit of measure, this also changes the currently defined Unit.
Margins group sets the distance between the edge of the printing surface and the edge of
the label (left/right, top/bottom).
Radius group enables you to make the label corners rounded.
l Vertical radius: adjusts corner roundness value in vertical direction.
l Horizontal radius: adjusts corner roundness value in horizontal direction.
Labels Across defines the number of labels to be printed on a single label sheet.
l Horizontal count: number of labels in a row.
l Vertical count: number of labels in a column.
l Horizontal gap: horizontal distance between labels on a sheet.
l Vertical gap: vertical distance between labels on a sheet.
l Processing order: defines the direction in which labels are printed. Set the starting
corner in which printing starts, and the horizontal/ vertical directions of label
positioning.
5.2.3 Paper
Paper tab sets printing paper properties.
Unit selects the Unit of measure to be used in a label.
Paper Type group defines paper dimensioning type – automatic or manual.
l Automatically set page size based on the label dimensions (labels on a roll): page
size is defined by the printer driver.
l Manually set page size (sheets of paper): page size is set manually.
If the page size is defined manually, additional options appear:
l Paper: selection of standard paper formats.
l Width and Height: custom paper dimensions.
Orientation group sets the new label layout as Portrait or Landscape.
l Rotated: Printer Layout is rotated by 180 degrees.
Preview displays current label screen and print layouts.
5.2.4 Stocks
Label stocks are a time-saving alternative to designing labels from scratch. Use stock
templates when designing labels for a specific printer type and when optimizing the label
designing process.
Stocks group defines which stock type should be used when designing and printing a label.
Stock types are usually associated with printer vendors or stationery suppliers.
NOTE: Here defined stock properties override the manually set label properties.
Stock defines the exact stock to be used for label designing and printing. Stocks are sorted
by vendors and media formats. Expand stock provider and select a specific stock type.
TIP: Use Search... to easily find the requested stock. Partial search is available – enter a
sequence of characters and all stocks which contain it will be listed.
NOTE: If the selected stock is not compatible with the selected printer, a warning
appears. Previously selected stock becomes active again (if it was defined) allowing the
printing to continue.
Stock information displays the selected stock's properties:
l Label dimensions
l Labels across
l Description
l Author
5.2.5 Style
Style tab is used for defining label style properties.
Background color: sets the color of label background.
Background picture: sets the label background picture.
l Picture file name: defines the image file to be used as background picture.
l Embed picture in a document: saves picture into the label file.
l Save embedded picture to file: the embedded label picture is saved to a separate
file.
l Remove embedded picture:embedded picture is removed from the label file.
l Picture position: sets picture position on the label.
l Center: centers the picture on the label with its original dimensions. A picture
larger than the label will display only the central part leaving the rest out of
view.
l Fit:resizes the picture to fill the label while keeping the original aspect ratio.
l Stretch: stretches picture to make it fill the entire label.
NOTE: This option ignores the original aspect ratio of the picture. The
picture might appear distorted on the label.
l Rotation: background picture rotated by 90 degrees.
l Print background picture: background picture is printed.
5.2.6 Info
Info tab includes a Description that serves as a hint or as a guide for the user that is going
to work with the label.
Define label Description by entering text into the field.
5.3 Label Objects
After setting the label properties, it's time to start adding content to the label. Label objects
are basic design items that are used for adding and editing various content types. Each
object has its own function as described in the table below.
Label Object Icon Description
Container for textual content. It adapts its dimensions to
Text
fit the amount of entered characters. When typing, text
object grows horizontally and/or vertically.
Barcode
Picture Object for adding graphic content to a label.
Rectangle Object for creating rectangular shapes on a label.
Line Object for creating lines on a label.
Ellipse Object for creating circular shapes on a label.
Object for adding and editing various types of barcodes
on a label.
Inverse Object for inverting the color of the underlying object.
5.3.1 Text
Text object is a container for textual content which adapts its dimensions to fit the amount
of inserted characters. When typing, text object grows horizontally and/or vertically.
5.3.1.1 Source
Connected data source defines the content source of the selected object.
l Fixed data: manually entered fixed text.
l Variable keyboard input: type of variable that enables the content of a prompted field
to be different for every print job.
l Current date: displays current date value on the label.
l Current time: displays current time value on the label.
l Counter:displays counter value on the label.
Content field allows you to type the object content.
5.3.1.2 Style
Font color sets text font and underline color.
Font selects the typeface. Fonts are divided into two groups: OpenType fonts and Printer
fonts.
NOTE: If the currently selected printer is a thermal printer, additional fonts become
available. These are the internal Printer fonts that are installed on the printer. Printer
fonts are identified by the printer icon in front of their names.
The font may appear Bold, Italic, Underlined or as a Strikethrough text.
Font Scaling sets the font stretch factor. If the factor is set to 100 %, font appears in normal
scale. If the factor is set to 200 %, font appears twice as wide. If set to 50 %, font width is
shrunk to half its size.
Alignment defines horizontal positioning of the entered content.
l Left: text aligned with the left object border.
l Center: text positioned in the center of the object.
l Right: text aligned with the right object border.
l Justified: distributes text evenly along both sides.
Spacing sets the space between text characters and lines.
l Line spacing: space between each line in a paragraph.
l Character spacing: space between individual characters.
5.3.1.3 Effects
Inverse: inverted text and object background colors.
5.3.1.4 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group gives an information about the object's dimensions.
l Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
l Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
In Text object, the size of text is determined by the font size. Object dimensions and aspect
ratio cannot be changed manually and only serve as information about its current size.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually , drag the slider
or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the
object around its anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process, select under the
Design behavior group.
5.3.1.5 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
5.3.2 Barcode
Barcode object is used for adding various types of barcodes with encoded data to a label.
Details on barcode properties, types, and data encoding methods are available in the
dedicated Barcode section.
5.3.3 Picture
Use Picture object to add graphic content on a label. The following file formats are
supported:
l Portable Network Graphic (*.png)
l PDF (*.pdf)
l Adobe Photoshop (*.psd)
l Scalable Vector graphics (*.svg)
l Paintbrush (*.pcx)
l JPEGbitmaps (*.jpg, *.jpeg, *.jpe)
l TIFFbitmaps (*.tif, *.tiff)
l Enhanced Windows Metafile (*.emf)
l Windows Metafile (*.wmf)
l Windows bitmap (*.bmp)
5.3.3.1 Source
Connected data source defines the content source of the selected object.
l Fixed data: manually entered fixed text.
l Variable keyboard input: type of variable that enables the content of a prompted field
to be different for every print job.
l Current date: displays current date value on the label.
l Current time: displays current time value on the label.
l Counter:displays counter value on the label.
Content field is used for entering the object content.
To (re)define the Picture object Content, click Browse and locate the file to be displayed on
the label.
Embed picture in a document stores the picture in the label file. Link to the original picture
file is discarded.
TIP: Picture embedding makes the label file more portable as the user does not have to
include the picture file when sharing the label.
Save embedded picture to file: the embedded label picture is saved as a separate file.
5.3.3.2 Style
Dithering group allows you to select the most appropriate dithering method to print
pictures on labels in black and white.
TIP: When printing pictures in black and white, dithering creates the illusion of multiple
colors and shades by varying the pattern of black dots.
Dithering type selects the dithering method:
l Printer driver default: no dithering method is selected for the picture object. When
printing in black and white, printer driver uses its own dithering method.
If no dithering is set for the picture object, the algorithm can also be selected using the
printer properties dialog. The selected dithering algorithm for an object in ZebraDesigner
overrides the algorithm selected using printer properties dialog. See Changing dithering
options for more detailed information.
l Ordered: achieves dithering by applying a threshold map (matrix with cells) on the
pixels displayed. If the value of the pixel (scaled into the 0-9 range) is less than the
number in the corresponding cell of the matrix, the algorithm plots the pixel black,
otherwise, it plots it white.
l Threshold: sets a threshold to which every pixel is compared. If the original pixel
value is higher than the threshold, it renders white. The lower the threshold value,
the higher the share of pixels turned to white.
l Floyd Steinberg:achieves dithering using error dispersion. This algorithm generates
the closest result to the original, but represents the slowest option.
5.3.3.3 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
l Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
l Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
TIP: There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the
slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider
rotates the object around its anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its
central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed, the value converts automatically.
Graphic Resizing tab is available if the picture object is connected to a variable. These
settings define how the Picture object adapts its size to the source file at print time.
l Keep original picture size: disabled picture resizing. Picture size remains
unchanged.
l Resize proportionally: proportional picture resizing. Aspect ratio of picture
dimension remains fixed.
l Resize to the designed size: horizontal and vertical picture resizing to make it fit into
the bounding box. This option will most likely make the picture distorted.
Original size displays the picture's Width and Height before resizing. Revert to original
picture size cancels the resizing actions.
5.3.3.4 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
5.3.4 Rectangle
Rectangle object creates a rectangular frame on a label.
5.3.4.1 Style
Outline group defines line settings:
l Thickness: object line thickness.
l Outline style: object line style.
l None: line invisible.
l Solid: solid line.
l Dot: dotted line.
l Dash: dashed line.
l Erase: parts of neighboring objects become invisible underneath this object.
l Outline color: color of the line.
l Corner radius: makes the rectangle corners round. Higher values make the curve
broader.
Fill defines the object fill settings and color.
l Fill style: object fill properties definition:
l None: completely transparent object.
l Erase: makes objects beneath the active one hidden.
l Solid: fills the object with solid color.
l Right Diagonal: fills the object with diagonal lines that ascend toward the right
side.
l Left Diagonal: fills the object with diagonal lines that ascend toward the left
side.
l Vertical: fills the object with vertical lines.
l Horizontal: fills the object with horizontal lines.
l Cross: fills the object with crossed lines.
l Cross Diagonal: fills the object with diagonally crossed lines.
l 25% of color: fill color opacity 25 %.
l 50% of color: fill color opacity 50 %.
l 75% of color: fill color opacity 75 %.
l Fill color: object fill color definition.
NOTE: The system does not allow the Outline style and Fill style to be set to None at
the same time.
TIP: Shape objects (Rectangle, Line and Ellipse) in ZebraDesigner remember the last
used setting. Each time you add one of these objects to the label, it has the same outline
and fill settings as the previously added shape object.
5.3.4.2 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
l Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
l Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
TIP: There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the
slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider
rotates the object around its anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its
central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
5.3.4.3 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.
TIP: If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is
handled directly by the printer (e.g., internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the
printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.
l Use printer elements if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if
the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements,
the element is sent as a graphic file.
l Always use printer element:prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected
printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with
explanation is displayed.
l Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.
5.3.5 Line
Line object creates a line on a label.
5.3.5.1 Style
Outline group defines line settings:
l Thickness: object line thickness.
l Outline style: object line style.
l None: line invisible.
l Solid: solid line.
l Dot: dotted line.
l Dash: dashed line.
l Erase: parts of neighboring objects become invisible underneath this object.
l Outline color: color of the line.
TIP: Shape objects (Rectangle, Line and Ellipse) in ZebraDesigner remember the last
used setting. Each time you add one of these objects to the label, it has the same outline
and fill settings as the previously added shape object.
5.3.5.2 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
TIP: There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the
slider or click and drag the
icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its
anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its central point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
5.3.5.3 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.
TIP: If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is
handled directly by the printer (e.g., internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the
printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.
l Use printer elements if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if
the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements,
the element is sent as a graphic file.
l Always use printer element:prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected
printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with
explanation is displayed.
l Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.
5.3.6 Ellipse
Ellipse object creates a circular object on a label.
5.3.6.1 Style
Outline group defines line settings:
l Thickness: object line thickness.
l Outline style: object line style.
l None: line invisible.
l Solid: solid line.
l Dot: dotted line.
l Dash: dashed line.
l Erase: parts of neighboring objects become invisible underneath this object.
l Outline color: color of the line.
Fill defines the object fill settings and color.
l Fill style: object fill properties definition:
l None: completely transparent object.
l Erase: makes objects beneath the active one hidden.
l Solid: fills the object with solid color.
l Right Diagonal: fills the object with diagonal lines that ascend toward the right
side.
l Left Diagonal: fills the object with diagonal lines that ascend toward the left
side.
l Vertical: fills the object with vertical lines.
l Horizontal: fills the object with horizontal lines.
l Cross: fills the object with crossed lines.
l Cross Diagonal: fills the object with diagonally crossed lines.
l 25% of color: fill color opacity 25 %.
l 50% of color: fill color opacity 50 %.
l 75% of color: fill color opacity 75 %.
l Fill color: object fill color definition.
NOTE: The system does not allow the Outline style and Fill style to be set to None at
the same time.
TIP: Shape objects (Rectangle, Line and Ellipse) in ZebraDesigner remember the last
used setting. Each time you add one of these objects to the label, it has the same outline
and fill settings as the previously added shape object.
5.3.6.2 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
l Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
l Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
TIP: There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the
slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider
rotates the object around its anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its
central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed, the value transforms automatically.
5.3.6.3 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.
TIP: If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is
handled directly by the printer (e.g., internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the
printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.
l Use printer elements if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if
the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements,
the element is sent as a graphic file.
l Always use printer element:prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected
printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with
explanation is displayed.
l Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.
5.3.7 Inverse
5.3.7.1 About
Inverse object inverts the underlying object's color.
5.3.7.2 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
l Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
l Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
TIP: There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the
slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider
rotates the object around its anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its
central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed, the value transforms automatically.
5.3.7.3 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.
TIP: If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is
handled directly by the printer (e.g. internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the
printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.
l Use printer elements if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if
the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements,
the element is sent as a graphic file.
l Always use printer element:prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected
printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with
explanation is displayed.
l Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.
5.4 Working with Objects
This section describes how to work with objects and blend them with the design of a label.
Object is a basic building block of any label or solution. Each object is dedicated to a specific
type of content. See the related topics for style and content related object properties.
These are the common actions for multiple object types:
l Adding an object: adds an object to the design surface.
l Grouping: makes multiple object behave as a single object.
l Rotating: changes the angle of a selected object.
l Aligning:make the object positions.
5.4.1 Adding Objects
There are multiple methods to add an object to a label or form. Use the most convenient
one:
l Click and Click: click the object in the object toolbox. Mouse cursor transforms. Click
on the design surface – the selected object appears where clicked.
l Click and Drag:click the object in object toolbox. Mouse cursor transforms. Click on
the design surface and drag to define the size of the added object.
Text object's size cannot be defined using this method – its size is defined dynamically.
l Drag and Drop: click the object in the object toolbox and drag it to the design
surface. The selected object appears where the mouse button is released.
l Copy and Paste: graphical and textual content can be pasted directly to the design
surface. The following rules apply when copying items and pasting them directly to a
label:
l Graphical content from clipboard is pasted as embedded Picture object.
l Single line text is pasted as Text object.
5.4.2 Grouping
To make multiple object on a label behave as a single object, add them to a group. To group
objects:
l Surround the objects you wish to group using mouse. A rectangle appears marking
the selected objects. Right-click and select Group objects to create a group of
objects.
l
Hold Shift key and click the objects you wish to group. This select multiple objects –
right-click and select Group objects to create a group of objects.
5.4.3 Rotating
There are two ways to set the angle of an object:
l Enter the angle manually in degrees or drag the slider. The object rotates around its
anchoring point. Rotation commands are accessible in two ways:
l Click Position in the Positioning group of the Design tab
l Go to Object properties -> Position -> Rotation angle.
l
Click and drag the icon next to the selected object. The icon rotates the
object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
6 Barcode
ZebraDesigner supports a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcode types to be printed on labels.
Each barcode type is configurable according to specific standards.
TIP: When encoding the barcode content, make sure the used characters, length, and
identifiers comply with the barcode standard guidelines.
The following barcode types are available in ZebraDesigner:
l 1D and 2D Barcodes
l GS1 DataBar Barcode Subtypes
In ZebraDesigner, barcodes are added to a label using the barcode object. To properly
encode the data and to set the barcode object properties, read the sections below. Each of
these sections describes barcode object properties. To start editing them, double-click the
object to open the Object Properties Window.
6.1 Source
Connected data source defines the content source of the selected object.
l Fixed data: manually entered fixed text.
l Variable keyboard input: type of variable that enables the content of a prompted field
to be different for every print job.
l Current date: displays current date value on the label.
l Current time: displays current time value on the label.
l Counter:displays counter value on the label.
Content field allows you to type the object content.
6.2 Barcode
Barcode Type defines the specific barcode type which should be used to encode the data.
TIP: Code128 barcode type is selected by default. For more details about the available
barcode types, see section Barcode Types and Available Settings.
l X dimension: width of the narrowest bar in the barcode.
l Height: barcode's vertical dimension.
l Ratio defines the ratio between the barcode's narrow and wide bar widths.
Each barcode type's range of permitted ratios is limited by the standard.
ZebraDesigner only allows you to use valid ratios. By default, the ratio is set to 3. This
means that the wide bar is 3 times the width of a narrow bar.
NOTE: The available ratios depend on the selected X dimension. If you are
changing the X dimension, this also affects the selection of available ratios.
l Row height defines the height of a single data row in 2D barcodes. Row height is
specified as a multiple over the X dimension. For example, "3x" means that the row is
3 times the X dimension.
Actual properties based on selected printer displays the X dimension as it would appear
printed on a label using the currently selected printer.
Color defines the color of the barcode.
6.3 Check Digit
Check digit is used by any scanning system to verify that the number scanned from a
barcode is read correctly.
TIP: Check digit is derived from the preceding barcode digits and is placed as the final
digit of a barcode.
Include check digit determines if check digit is included in a barcode or not.
l Auto-generate check digit: automatic check digit calculation.
If the data already includes invalid check digit, ZebraDesigner replaces it with a proper value.
l Verify the provided check digit: verification of the manually provided check digit. An
error message appears if the check digit proves to be incorrect.
l Display in human readable: check digit included in the human readable barcode text.
6.4 Human Readable
Human Readable text displays readable barcode data content located below or above the
barcode. Its role is to provide backup in case the barcode is damaged or of poor quality.
NOTE: Human Readable tab is visible with supported barcode types.
l No human readable: barcode is rendered without human readable text.
l Above barcode: human readable text is located above the barcode.
l Below barcode: human readable text is located below the barcode.
Style group allows you to set custom properties for human readable text.
NOTE: If you decide to customize human readable text, barcode can no longer be used as
internal printer element. It is sent to printer and printed as a graphic element.
l Custom font: enables font and font size selection. Internal printer fonts cannot be
used as custom human readable font.
l Auto font scaling:If enabled (default setting), human readable text grows or shrinks
proportionally along with the changing size of the barcode. To set a custom size for
human readable text, disable this option and select the appropriate font size.
l Bold: makes human readable text appear bold.
l Italic:makes human readable text appear italic.
6.5 Bearer Bar
Bearer bar is a border that surrounds the barcode. Its purpose is to protect the barcode
image and to enhance reading reliability.
l Fixed thickness: automatically defined bearer bar width.
l Variable thickness: user-defined bearer bar width.
l Thickness multiplier:bearer bar width factor.
l Show vertical bar: vertical bearer bars displayed or hidden.
6.6 Details
Details differ according to the barcode standards. Define the options that are given with
regard to the currently selected barcode type. Details for 1D and 2D barcodes are
described in dedicated sections:
l 1D barcode details
l 2D barcode details
6.7 Position
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
l X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
l Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
l Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
TIP: There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the
slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider
rotates the object around its anchoring point. The icon rotates the object around its
central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size
objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen
anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
NOTE: If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms
automatically.
6.8 General
General tab identifies the object and sets its status.
Name sets a unique object ID.
NOTE: Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.
Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the
label design process.
Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.
l Not printable: prevents the object from being printed.
l Visible: if the check box is not selected, the object neither appears on the print
preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.
Option Print Preview Printout
Not printable
YES NO
(selected)
Visible (cleared) NO NO
Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.
TIP: If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is
handled directly by the printer (e.g., internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the
printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.
l Use printer elements if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if
the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements,
the element is sent as a graphic file.
l Always use printer element:prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected
printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with
explanation is displayed.
l Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.
6.9 Available Barcodes and Their Settings
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Basic Barcode Settings
Anker
Bookland
Codabar
Variation of Plessey
Code. Used for point of
sale systems prior to the
advent of EAN code.
EAN-13 barcode used
exclusively for books.
A self-checking and binary level linear barcode
symbology with no check
sum digit appended.
Widely used in libraries
and package delivery systems.
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Code93
43 characters allowed.
ASCII character set supported by using combinations of 2 characters.
Basic Barcode
Settings
Human Readable
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Code128
Code128-A
Code128-B
Double density data
encoding, ASCII character set supported.
ASCII characters 00 to 95
(0-9, A-Z, and control
codes), special characters, and FNC 1-4 supported.
ASCII characters 32 to
127 (0-9, A-Z, a-z), special
characters, and FNC 1-4
supported.
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Code128C
00-99 (encodes each two
digits with one code) and
FNC1.
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Human Readable
Details tab:
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Code-39
Fully alphanumeric barcode for use with dataentry systems.
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Inter character
gap
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Code-39 full
ASCII
Code-39 Tri
Optic
28 ASCII character set
including asterisks supported.
Computer tape cartridge
marking.
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Inter character
gap
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
zones
Inter character
gap
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Dun-14
Ean-13
Numbering system for
shipping containers that
uses other barcode
types.
European Article Number,
used for global retail.
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Inter character
gap
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Include EANwhite
space
Ean-13 + 2
Often used on newspapers and magazines.
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Include EANwhite
space
Basic Barcode
Settings
For books in English language: the first digit of
the EAN-5 is the currency
Ean-13 + 5
indicator. The four following digits represent
the price multiplied by
100.
Ean-14 Traded goods.
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Include EANwhite
space
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Ean-8
Small package marking
where an EAN-13 barcode would be too large.
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
zones
Descender bar
Include EANwhite
space
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Ean-8 + 2
Only used if the article is
too small for an EAN-13
code.
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Include EANwhite
space
Ean-8 + 5
GS1-128
Only used if the article is
too small for an EAN-13
code.
A variant of Code 128 - it
automatically inserts a
FNC1 character after the
initial character.
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Include EANwhite
space
Basic Barcode
Settings
Details tab:
Include quiet
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Interleaved 2 of 5
ITF 14
Used on 135 film, for ITF14 barcodes, and on
packaging.
Higher level packaging.
GTIN included.
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Bearer Bar
Details tab:
ITF 16
MSI
Higher level packaging.
GTIN included.
Used primarily for inventory control, marking storage containers and
shelves in warehouse
environments.
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Bearer Bar
Details tab:
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Identification in logistics.
SSCC
The code includes an
extension digit, a GS1
company prefix, a serial
reference, and a check
digit.
Details tab:
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Plessey
SSCC-18
Upc Case Code
One of the first barcode
symbologies. Still used in
libraries and for shelf
tags in retail stores.
Identification in logistics.
The code includes an
extension digit, a GS1
company prefix, a serial
reference, and a check
digit.
Used for cartons, cases,
or pallets that contain
products with UPC or
EAN product identification number.
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Upc-A
Upc-A + 2
Product identifying at
retail checkout. GTIN
included.
Product identifying at
retail checkout. GTIN
included. Used with
magazines and periodicals.
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Space correction
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Space correction
Upc-A + 5
Product identifying at
retail checkout. GTIN
included. Used for book
pricing.
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Descender bar
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Upc-E
Product identifying at
retail checkout. GTIN
(compressed)included.
Adapted for smaller packages.
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Symbology
Basic Barcode
Settings
Upc-E + 2
Upc-E + 5
USPSIntelligent
Mail Barcode
Product identifying at
retail checkout. GTIN
(compressed)included.
Adapted for smaller packages.
Product identifying at
retail checkout. GTIN
(compressed)included.
Adapted for smaller packages.
Tracking and sorting of
letters and flat packages
in the United States.
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
Basic Barcode
Settings
Check Digit
Human Readable
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
Descender bar
USPS Intelligent
Mail Barcode Content
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Details tab:
Include quiet
zones
6.9.1 2D Barcodes
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Aztec
Data Matrix
GS1
DataBar
GS1
Datamatrix
High capacity, symbol size adjusts
automatically
depending on the
amount of input
data.
High capacity,
optimal for small
packages.
Marking products
that cross
POSapplications.
GS1 identification
(AIs) included.
Added GS1 Application Identifiers
and ASC MH10
Data Identifiers and
maintenance.
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Data layer
Error correction level
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Encoding
Format
Available settings change
according to the selected
GS1 DataBar type.
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Format
Encoding
Code page
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Encoding
Error correction level
Symbol version
MaxiCode Content
Basic Barcode Settings
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Encoding
Error correction level
Symbol version
GS1 QR
Code
MaxiCode
Micro QR
Added GS1 Application Identifiers
and ASC MH10
Data Identifiers and
maintenance.
Used by UPS on
shipping labels for
world-wide
addressing and
package sortation.
Reduced size and
capacity of a normal QRcode.
Optimal when the
barcode size needs
to be minimized.
MicroPDF
PDF-417
Compact version of
PDF-417.
Commonly used in
transport, inventory management,
etc. The code is
both self-checking
and bi-directionally
decodable.
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Compaction mode
Version
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Compaction mode
Columns
Error correction level
Barcode Example Info Available Settings
Rows
Truncated
Basic Barcode Settings
Details tab:
Code page
Encoding
Error correction level
Symbol version
QR
A matrix barcode
readable by QR
scanners and
smartphones.
Adaptable size to
the amount of
encoded data.
6.10 GS1 DataBar Subtypes
6.10.1 Linear Symbol Types
GS1 DataBar Subtype Example Info
Omnidirectional scan-
Omnidirectional
Stacked
ning, up to 20 trillion
encodable values.
Stacked truncated symbol for omnidirectional
scanning with reduced
symbol length.
Stacked Omnidirectional
Truncated
Full height symbol
stacked in two rows
separated by a delimiter.
Height reduced to 13
times the X dimension.
For handheld scanners.
GS1 DataBar Subtype Example Info
Omnidirectional scan-
Expanded
Expanded Stacked
ning, variable content
length.
Omnidirectional scanning, variable content
length, reduced length
due to stacking (2 to 11
rows)."GS1 DataBar
Properties" on
page101.
Limited
Limited range of values.
For handheld scanners.
6.10.2 Composite Symbol Types
GS1 DataBar Subtype Example Info
A linear symbology
that supports omnidirectional scanning of
Omnidirectional
Stacked Omnidirectional
packages. It encodes
14 digits of numerical
data used to identify
GTIN for scanning in
the supply chain.
Represents the
encoded data separately in linear and
composite part of the
code. Advantage is
reduced symbol
length. For hand held
scanners.
Truncated
Intended for very
small items in healthcare, not intended for
POS scanners.
GS1 DataBar Subtype Example Info
Omnidirectional scanning, variable content
Expanded
length. Used for variable-measure food,
coupons.
Omnidirectional
scanning, variable
content length,
reduced length due to
Expanded Stacked
stacking (2 to 11
rows). See section
"GS1 DataBar
Properties" on
page101
Limited range of val-
Limited
ues. For hand held
scanners.
A smaller and
EAN-8
shortened version of
the EAN code.
EAN-13
EAN.UCC 128 & CC-A
EAN.UCC 128 & CC-C
UPC-A
EAN codes require 13
digits (12 if the check
digit is calculated
automatically).
GS1-128 linear barcode linked to a 2D
barcode called CC-A.
GS1-128 linear barcode linked to a 2D
barcode called CC-C.
The linear component
encodes the item’s
primary identification.
The adjacent 2D Com-
GS1 DataBar Subtype Example Info
posite Component
encodes supplementary data, such
as a batch number and
expiration date.
PC-E compresses a
normal UPC-A code
into a six digit code by
“suppressing” the num-
UPC-E
ber system digit, trailing zeros in the
manufacturers code
and leading zeros in
the product number.
6.11 1D Barcode Details
Details tab settings vary along with the specific barcode standards.
TIP: Keep in mind the currently selected barcode type as you define the available
barcode settings.
ZebraDesigner allows setting the following 1D barcode details:
l Include quiet zones: blank space around the printed barcode. Quiet zone ensures
the highest level of scanning reliability.
l Inter character gap: distance between the last bar of a character and the first bar of
the next character in a barcode.
l Descender bars: makes the bars at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of
certain barcode types (EAN and UPC) longer.
l
Include EANwhite space: inserts a special character (< or >) to indicate the
EANbarcode width.
This option ensures optimum readability in case a neighboring object on a label is located
right next to the barcode.
l Space correction: adds white pixels to increase the gap width between the bars.
l Symbology: UPCbarcode Number system:
l 0, 1 , 6, 7 and 8 are for regular UPC codes.
l 2 is for random weight items, e.g., meat, marked in-store.
l 3 is for National Drug Code and National Health related Items.
l 4 is for in-store marking of non-food items.
l 5 and 9 are for coupon use.
6.12 2D Barcode Details
2D barcodes enable multiple type-specific settings under the Details tab. When defining
these settings manually, the dropdown lists offer specific standard-compliant options.
TIP: ZebraDesigner defines the Details tab settings automatically if the user chooses
not to manually define them.
6.12.1 Code Page
Code page defines how the mapping of code characters with scanned characters is done.
To display the scanned data accurately, the correct code page must be selected. If none of
the code pages is selected by the user, ZebraDesigner uses system character encoding.
6.12.2 Columns
Columns are basic vertical elements of a PDF417 barcode. A maximum of 30 columns may
be included in a single PDF417 symbol.
6.12.3 Compaction Mode
Compaction mode compacts a number of data characters into codewords. The decoding
algorithm uses the individual codewords to place them into a meaningful matrix.
l Text: all printable ASCII characters 32–126 and ASCII 9, 10 and 13 (up to 1800
characters) are allowed.
l Binary: all 256 ASCII values (up to 1100 bytes) are allowed.
l Numeric: encoding of numeric data (up to 2700 digits).
6.12.4 Data Layer
Data layer defines the number of data layers that encode data in an Aztec barcode. The
number of data layers correlates directly with the barcode data capacity. If the value
exceeds the data capacity provided by the selected Data layer, an error is reported. One to
four data layers are allowed.
6.12.5 Encoding
Encoding defines character encoding scheme for the selected barcode.
NOTE: If you select the GS1 Datamatrix barcode, ZebraDesigner automatically sets the
encoding scheme to ASCII. This makes sure the GS1 Datamatrix barcodes on your labels
are GS1-compliant.
6.12.6 Error Correction Level
Error correction level defines the symbol security level. It adds a series of error correction
codewords to the encoded data. These codewords enable the printed symbol to withstand
damage without data loss. The higher the security level, the greater the number of data
layers required to contain the symbol – and hence, its overall size. If none of the Error
correction levels is selected, ZebraDesigner defines it automatically.
6.12.7 Format
Format defines the symbol size and its capacity using the number of column and row
elements.
If using Data Matrix barcode on your labels, DMRE (Data Matrix Rectangular Extension) allows
you to use multiple rectangular formats. These additional rectangular sizes increase data
encoding capacity of the barcode.
NOTE: For printers without internal DMRE support, enable Always print as graphics
under General properties to print the Data Matrix barcode successfully.
6.12.8 Rows
Rows – PDF417 barcode symbol is made of stacks of vertically aligned rows. Such barcode
adapts its size to the amount of the encoded data and may contain from 3 to 90 rows.
6.12.9 Symbol Version
Symbol version defines the symbol data capacity. As the amount of data increases,
additional modules are required to build a QR code. This makes the symbol larger on the
printed label.
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