When the clock is ticking and deadlines are looming, your printers have to work—no jams, no slowdowns, no excuses. It doesn’t matter if you’re working in an overheated warehouse, a high-traffic retail environment, or a crowded pharmacy workstation. From the plant floor to the sales floor, or the stockroom to the hospital room, a printer that lets you down when you need it is a printer you can’t afford to have in your business.

Reliable Performance

We’ve been recommending Zebra’s lineup of industrial, desktop, and mobile printers for years because we know that they’ll deliver reliable performance under all conditions. From simple, set-it-and-forget-it deployment to unfailing shift-after-shift performance, Zebra thermal printers have a well-earned reputation for innovation and industry leadership.

Two of Zebra’s newest desktop thermal printers are the ultra-compact ZD410 and the feature-packed ZD620 Series. Both deliver the durability, ease of use, and innovative features that Zebra is known for, so we decided to take a look at the key differences and performance characteristics of the two models.

ZD410 Direct Thermal Printer

Zebra markets the ZD410 as the “fits anywhere” 2-inch printer, and they aren’t exaggerating. With a case that measures just 8.6 inches long by 4.5 inches wide and 6 inches high, this is the smallest printer in its class. It’s clear that Zebra designed this workhorse printer to fit into the most space-constrained spaces; it can even mount to a wall where desktop space is simply non-existent.

The ZD410 prints at a standard 203 dpi or an optional 300 dpi with a maximum print width of 2.2 inches. Print speeds range from 4 inches per second at 300 dpi to up to 6 inches per second at 203 dpi. The maximum label width is 2.36 inches and maximum label length it 39 inches. The 300 dpi option is perfect for any application requiring high-resolution printing on small-format labels such as those used by pharmacies and medical labs.

The ZD410 lineup includes a standard model that’s perfect for most applications, plus the ZD410-HC, which is a healthcare-specific model engineered for use in nurses’ stations, pharmacies, and labs. Both models are direct-thermal (no ribbon) printers that offer virtually every modern connectivity option, from USB, auto-sensing serial, and 10/100 Ethernet to the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless options. They both feature a new and improved user interface with simple status icons that make it easy to spot and resolve issues.

For Healthcare Applications

The healthcare model makes use of disinfectant-ready plastics and a sealed button interface, so it’s easy to clean and disinfect, which is essential in helping to prevent the spread of germs in hospitals and clinics. The HC model also has an IEC 60601-1 compliant power supply for use in healthcare facilities.

Based on the overall performance, reliability, and compact footprint, it’s hard to image a better 2-inch printer for labels, wristbands, receipts, or tags when space is extremely limited.

ZD620 Series Desktop Printers

Stepping up in capabilities and performance, the Zebra 620 Series offers the most standard features of any Zebra desktop printer. As the next generation in Zebra’s desktop printer line, the ZD620 replaces Zebra’s popular GX Series and ZD500 printers.

The ZD620 Series is available in direct thermal or thermal transfer models to meet a wide variety of application requirements, including a model designed specifically for healthcare usage. They can handle media ranging from a minimum width of just 0.585 inches in all models, up to a maximum width of 4.25 inches in the direct thermal print model ZD620d, and a maximum width of 4.65 inches in thermal transfer model ZD620t. All models have a maximum print width of 4.09 inches, with print speeds ranging from 4 inches per second at 300 dpi to up to 6 inches per second at 203 dpi. They handle roll-fed or fan-fold labels, tag stock, continuous receipt paper, and wristbands.

These class-leading printers even offer optional linerless configurations that eliminate waste and deliver more labels per roll for fewer roll changes, but you do need to ensure the adhesive formulation of linerless media is matched to the material of the printer platen roller.

The direct thermal ZD620d model clocks in at 8.7 inches long, 7.0 inches wide, and a hair under 6 inches tall, while the thermal transfer ZD620t model measures slightly larger at 10.5 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 7.5 inches tall. Compared to the ZD410 2-inch printer, the ZD620 Series printers are notably larger, but they’re still extremely compact and well suited to many applications where space is at a premium.

Easy configuration and even simpler operation

…are two of the key benefits of the ZD620 Series. A three-button user interface with five LED status icons is standard, replacing the single button/single light interface that’s common in desktop printers. And an optional 10-button user interface with a color LCD takes all the guesswork out of printer setup and status. All models employ Link-OS® and Zebra’s powerful Print DNA tools to deliver high performance and simplify integration and remote management.

Comprehensive connectivity options let you connect the ZD620 to your existing wired and wireless networks or directly to any PC. They even support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which lets you print directly from any iOS device.

The ZD620 Series also has an optional battery for cordless usage. With the removable battery option, you can easily deploy a ZD620 printer wherever it’s needed for on-the-spot printing, and Zebra assures us that the high-capacity battery can deliver full-shift power, even at maximum print speed.

If you need unmatched performance, quality, and manageability, the ZD620 Series should be at the top of your list.

To learn more about Zebra’s lineup of innovative desktop, industrial, and mobile printers, contact your MSM representative today.