How to get ZPL code from a ZebraDesigner label?

Question

I'm using ZebraDesigner 2.2.2 (Build 2728).

Is there a way to extract the ZPL code from ZebraDesigner? I can't even export it to ZPL file, the only option I have is saving it as .lbl.

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I have to do this quite often in my job. What I do is 1. pause the printer. 2. send the printjob. 3. Open the spooler folder. 4. Open the job in Notepad and copy out the ZPL. 5. delete the file from the spool. 6. Unpause the printer. — Joseph Kreifels II, Feb 04 '22 at 16:56

score 66 · Answer 1 · answered May 22 '13 at 07:00

66

Not sure if I'm missing something here but from the one that I'm using ZebraDesigner 2.2.3 (Build 4271), I can just click Print, tick "Print to file" checkbox, output to a *.prn file, open that file with Notepad and the code is there.

answered May 22 '13 at 07:00

Quannt

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Yes this produces the same file output at the accepted answer. – Ian Stanway Aug 27 '13 at 14:39
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Only a detail on this answer. Is needed which the correct driver be installed at printer. If you use "Zebra Driver XPTO (EPL)" the printed code will be as EPL code. If you use "Zebra Driver XPTO" (without "(EPL)" on name) you will make a ZPL (Zebra Print Languege) code. – Rafael Gomes Francisco Mar 21 '17 at 12:33
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I get some kind of invalid text when I use Print to file : CT~~CD,~CC^~CT~ ==>>> THIS LINE HAS SOME KIND OF CHARACTERS ^XA~TA000~JSN^LT0^MNW^MTD^PON^PMN^LH0,0^JMA^PR4,4~SD15^JUS^LRN^CI0^XZ ^XA ^MMT ^PW1080 ^LL1049 ^LS0 ^FO26,30^GB1034,995,24^FS ^FT77,191^A0N,83,76^FB926,1,0,C^FH\^FDvar_item^FS ^FT83,450^A0N,200,139^FB916,1,0,C^FH\^FDvar_price^FS ^BY6,2,323^FT261,907^BUN,,Y,N ^FDvar_upc^FS ^PQ1,0,1,Y^XZ – Biswas Khayargoli May 20 '19 at 06:53
@Biswas Khayargoli ~~ Yes, I am getting too. So that is the reason why print not working. Have you found any solution? – Aman Attari Jul 14 '20 at 12:17
@Biswas Khayargoli ~~ that is not the error it is the part of your ZPL code - you can check your generated code [http://labelary.com/viewer.html] – Aman Attari Jul 14 '20 at 13:28

Ovi Tisler · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-28T15:05:57.430

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You can add a new ZebraDesigner ZPL driver to the system and use a file as the port. Then when you "Print" the document, it will write the ZPL code to the file.

Note that it might have some header information before the first ^XA which you might not need.

UPDATE : (How to add local port on a driver)

Go to Printer Properties
Click on the Ports tab
Click Add Port
Select Local Port and click New port
Enter a filename e.g. C:\output.zpl
Make sure it is checked in the ports list
Now all printing output should go to C:\output.zpl

edited Nov 28 '12 at 15:05

answered Nov 27 '12 at 16:32

Ovi Tisler

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is there a way to do the reverse? – xtds Aug 27 '13 at 06:45
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You mean go from ZPL to the WYSIWYG label design? No. – Ovi Tisler Aug 27 '13 at 12:23
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@OviTisler i have a .txt file which contains ZPL code like: ^XA ^FO50,50^A0,60,60^FDTest^FS ^XZ But i am unable to print it's output on Zebra ZTC gc420t (EPL) printer. What should i do? – ArgaPK Nov 08 '17 at 11:08
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You can use http://labelary.com/viewer.html to view and update the ZPL code – Walter Cejas Jul 13 '20 at 14:37
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@WalterCejas Thanks for your input! I had no idea this was a standardized language – Bill Tudor Oct 12 '21 at 03:59
@BillTudor also we are using it to add images like business logos to the labels – Walter Cejas Oct 12 '21 at 11:36
@ArgaPK from the command prompt run: "copy label.zpl lpt:" or what port you use – Remus Rigo Jul 19 '22 at 10:11
Is there any way I can do this without having a zebra printer myself? – Noman_1 Nov 18 '22 at 11:58

score 27 · Answer 3 · answered May 20 '14 at 10:19

27

I use the "Print to file" checkbox in the Print pop-up dialog. It produces a text file with the ZPL inside.

answered May 20 '14 at 10:19

Michele Ferracin

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This is a better answer than the currently accepted answer (adding a file as a port) – gregschlom Feb 07 '17 at 02:22
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Only a detail on this answer. Is needed which the correct driver be installed at printer. If you use "Zebra Driver XPTO (EPL)" the printed code will be as EPL code. If you use "Zebra Driver XPTO" (without "(EPL)" on name) you will make a ZPL (Zebra Print Languege) code. – Rafael Gomes Francisco Mar 21 '17 at 12:32
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You're my hero @RafaelGomesFrancisco – Walter Cejas Jul 13 '20 at 17:30

score 8 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 22 '21 at 14:34

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If you want to see native ZPL codes, you must use zebra fonts. If you do not use you will see .GRF codes like below:

^FT320,64^XG007.GRF,1,1^FS

and do not understand them. After that hit print than select "Print to file". So you can see clear ZPL codes.

edited Mar 22 '21 at 14:34

sergiol

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answered Jul 29 '15 at 12:30

Hubeyb Özkul

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How to get ZPL code from a ZebraDesigner label?

4 Answers4

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