Zebra ZT411 vs ZT421: which industrial printer do you need?
The ZT411 and ZT421 share one platform: the same touch display, menus, interfaces and user guide. The real difference is width. Choose the ZT411 for labels with up to 104 mm of print width, and if you need 600 dpi. Choose the ZT421 for wide labels with up to 168 mm of print width.
| Specification | ZT411 | ZT421 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 203 dpi; 300 or 600 dpi optional | 203 dpi; 300 dpi optional |
| Max print width | 104 mm (4.09 in.) | 168 mm (6.6 in.) |
| Max print speed | 356 mm/s (14 ips) at 203 dpi; 254 mm/s (10 ips) at 300 dpi; 102 mm/s (4 ips) at 600 dpi | 305 mm/s (12 ips) at 203 dpi; 254 mm/s (10 ips) at 300 dpi |
| Media width, tear-off or cutter | 25.4–114 mm | 51–178 mm |
| Media width, peel or rewind | 25.4–108 mm | 51–171 mm |
| Max label length, non-continuous | 991 mm at 203/300 dpi; 508 mm at 600 dpi | 991 mm |
| Max continuous print length | 3988 mm at 203 dpi; 1857 mm at 300 dpi; 991 mm at 600 dpi | 2591 mm at 203 dpi; 1143 mm at 300 dpi |
| Ribbon width | 51–110 mm | 51–174 mm |
| Ribbon length and core | Up to 450 m on a 25.4 mm core, coated side out | Same |
| Media roll | Up to 203 mm OD on a 76 mm core | Same |
| Media thickness | 0.058–0.25 mm | Same |
| Display | 4.3 in. colour touch display, bi-colour status LEDs | Same |
| Processor and memory | ARM Cortex A7, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB flash | Same |
| Standard interfaces | USB 2.0, RS-232 serial, 10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.1, dual USB host | Same |
| Optional interfaces | Parallel, dual-radio Wi-Fi (802.11ax + BT 5.3 or 802.11ac + BT 4.2), applicator | Same |
| Linerless option | Yes | No |
| Size, standard (H × W × D) | 324 × 269 × 495 mm | 324 × 336 × 495 mm |
| Weight, standard | 16.33 kg | 18.14 kg |
| Operating temperature | 5–40 °C thermal transfer; 0–40 °C direct thermal | Same |
Figures from Zebra's spec sheets; speeds are maximums.
Choose the ZT411 if
- Your labels are up to about 104 mm wide in print, for example 4-inch labels
- You print on narrow media from 25.4 mm
- You need 600 dpi for very small text or codes
- You want the top speed of 356 mm/s at 203 dpi
- You plan to print on linerless labels
Choose the ZT421 if
- Your labels need more than 104 mm of print width, up to 168 mm
- You use media from 51 up to 178 mm wide
- 203 or 300 dpi is enough for your labels
- You want one printer that also takes your 4-inch labels
What both printers share
Zebra covers both models in a single user guide, so setup, menus, calibration and maintenance work the same way. Both use the same 4.3 in. touch display, processor, memory, standard ports and optional dual-radio Wi-Fi card. Media rolls up to 203 mm on a 76 mm core fit both, and so do ribbons up to 450 m on a 25.4 mm core. The ZDesigner v10 Windows driver supports both. Accessories such as the Cable and Port Protector Bracket (P1105147-038) fit the ZT411 and the ZT421.
Our ZT411 setup guide and other ZT411 guides therefore also apply to the ZT421, apart from widths, pressure dial starting positions and resolutions.
Where they really differ
Label width
The ZT421 prints up to 168 mm wide on media up to 178 mm. The ZT411 stops at 104 mm print width on media up to 114 mm. At the narrow end the ZT411 takes media from 25.4 mm, while the ZT421 starts at 51 mm.
Resolution and speed
Only the ZT411 offers 600 dpi. At 203 dpi the ZT411 is also faster, with 356 mm/s against 305 mm/s. At 300 dpi both reach 254 mm/s.
Size and weight
The ZT421 is 67 mm wider and about 1.8 kg heavier in the standard version. Height and depth are the same.
Video: Zebra Technologies
Compare the models in our shop: ZT411 203 dpi, ZT411 300 dpi and ZT421.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ZT421 available in 600 dpi?
No. The ZT421 comes with 203 dpi as standard and 300 dpi as an option. Only the ZT411 offers 600 dpi.
Can the ZT421 print 4-inch labels?
Yes. The ZT421 takes media from 51 to 178 mm wide, so standard 4-inch (about 102 mm) labels fit. For media narrower than 51 mm, you need the ZT411.
Do the ZT411 and ZT421 use the same ribbons?
They use the same ribbon type: up to 450 m long, on a 25.4 mm core, coated side out. The ZT411 takes ribbons from 51 to 110 mm wide, the ZT421 from 51 to 174 mm.
Are the menus and drivers the same?
Yes. Both share one user guide, the same touch display menus and the ZDesigner v10 Windows driver.
Which one is faster?
The ZT411 at 203 dpi: 356 mm/s (14 ips) against 305 mm/s (12 ips) on the ZT421. At 300 dpi both reach 254 mm/s (10 ips).
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