Printing
Thermal Printer Settings for Shipping Labels (TSC, Zebra, Rollo, Munbyn)
· 2 min read
The settings that matter
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paper size | 4×6 in or 100×150 mm | Must match the roll and the PDF page |
| Scale | 100% / Actual size | Fit to page can shrink or stretch a cropped label |
| Margins | None | Prevents the label being pushed off the sticker |
| Orientation | Portrait | Cropped labels are taller than wide |
| Darkness | Medium, then raise one step | Faint bars fail scanners |
| Speed | Slower for dense barcodes | Gives darker, sharper bars |
Compatible printers
The 4×6 in and 100×150 mm outputs are standard sizes and work with common thermal printers such as TSC, TVS, Zebra, Rollo, Munbyn and Xprinter. Install the printer driver, add a custom paper size matching your roll if it is not listed, and print from the browser or a PDF viewer.
Fix a faint or blank first label
- Run the printer's media calibration so it learns the gap between labels.
- Check that the roll is direct-thermal stock and the printer is not set to transfer mode.
- Raise darkness one step and print a test label.
- Clean the print head with isopropyl alcohol if streaks appear.
Check the barcode before the batch
Scan the first printed label with a phone. If it fails, see barcode not scanning after crop.
Frequently asked questions
Which thermal printers are compatible?
Standard 4×6 in labels work with TSC, TVS, Zebra, Rollo, Munbyn, Xprinter and most other thermal label printers.
Why does my label print with a large margin?
The page size or scale is not matched. Set paper size to 4×6 in, scale to 100% and margins to none, or use Exact label size.
What darkness should I use?
Start in the middle, then raise one step if barcodes look light.
Keep reading
- Label Barcode Not Scanning After Crop? 7 FixesWhy a cropped shipping label barcode will not scan, and the checks that fix it: file quality, scale, printer darkness, paper and crop edges.
- 4x6 vs A4 4-Up: Which Shipping Label Size Should You Print?Compare 4x6 inch thermal labels with A4 sheets that hold two or four labels, and choose by printer, volume and cost.
- How to Crop a Flipkart Label for a Thermal Printer (4x6)Step by step: crop a Flipkart shipping label PDF to 4x6, remove the invoice and print a sharp barcode on a thermal printer.