Thermal transfer label applicator printer ZD421-HC

direct thermalfor receiptsbarcode label

Product overview
The ZD421-HC is a 4-inch desktop healthcare printer from Zebra designed for healthcare workflows. It builds on Zebra’s GK and ZD420 legacy to deliver enhanced performance, security and ease of use. Key design elements include disinfectant-ready plastics, UV-resistant housing, a sealed-button interface, healthcare-compliant power supply and multiple model options (direct thermal, thermal transfer, ribbon cartridge).

Healthcare features

• Healthcare-preferred white color scheme
• Healthcare-compliant power supply (IEC 60601-1 certified)
• Disinfectant-ready, easy-to-clean plastics with sealed button interface
• UV-resistant housing that supports UV cleaning protocols

Standard features

• Print methods: Thermal Transfer or Direct Thermal
• Supports ZPL and EPL programming languages
• Five status icons and three-button user interface
• USB 2.0 and USB Host connectivity standard
• Printer setup mobile app for Android and iOS via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for initial setup (BLE intended for setup app use)
• Real Time Clock (RTC)
• OpenACCESS for easy media loading
• Dual-wall frame construction
• ENERGY STAR certified
• ZebraDesigner Essentials label design tool included

Dimensions & weight
Direct Thermal: 8.69 in. L x 6.98 in. W x 5.93 in. H — 220.8 mm L x 177.5 mm W x 150.7 mm H
Thermal Transfer Roll: 10.5 in. L x 8.0 in. W x 7.44 in. H — 267 mm L x 202 mm W x 189 mm H
Thermal Transfer Cartridge: 10.0 in. L x 8.0 in. W x 7.0 in. H — 254 mm L x 202 mm W x 177 mm H
Weight: Direct Thermal: 2.98 lbs / 1.35 kg; Thermal Transfer Roll: 4.52 lbs / 2.05 kg; Thermal Transfer Cartridge: 5.0 lbs / 2.3 kg

Printer specifications
Operating System: Link-OS
Resolution: 203 dpi (8 dots/mm); optional 300 dpi (12 dots/mm)
Memory: 512 MB Flash; 256 MB SDRAM; 64 MB user available non-volatile; 8 MB user available SDRAM
Maximum print width: 4.09 in. / 104 mm (203 dpi); 4.27 in. / 108 mm (300 dpi); Cartridge: 4.09 in. / 104 mm for both dpi options
Maximum print speed: 6 in./152 mm per second (203 dpi); 4 in./102 mm per second (300 dpi)
Media sensors: Full-width moveable reflective/black mark sensor; multi-position transmissive/gap sensor
Firmware: ZPL II; EPL 2; XML; ZBI; PDF Direct

Media, ribbon and cartridge characteristics
Label length: Min 0.25 in. / 6.4 mm — Max 39.0 in. / 991 mm
Media width: Direct Thermal: 0.585 in. / 15 mm to 4.25 in. / 108 mm; Thermal Transfer Roll: 0.585 in. / 15 mm to 4.41 in. / 112 mm; Thermal Transfer Cartridge: 0.585 in. / 15 mm to 4.65 in. / 118 mm
Media roll size: Max outer diameter 5.00 in. / 127 mm; core I.D. support 0.5 in., 1.0 in., optional adapters for larger cores
Media thickness: 0.003 in. (0.08 mm) min. — 0.0075 in. (0.19 mm) max.
Media types: Roll-fed or fan-fold, die cut or continuous (with or without black mark), tag stock, continuous receipt paper, wristbands
Ribbon outside diameter: 2.6 in. / 66 mm (300 m); 1.34 in. / 34 mm (74 m)
Ribbon standard length: Roll: 984 ft. (300 m) or 243 ft. (74 m); Cartridge: 243 ft. (74 m)
Ribbon ratio: 1:4 (300 m) or 1:1 (74 m)
Ribbon width: Roll 1.33 in. / 33.8 mm — 4.3 in. / 109.2 mm; Cartridge 4.3 in. / 109.2 mm

Operating characteristics
Operating temperature: 40° to 105° F / 4.4° to 41° C
Storage temperature: -40° to 140° F / -40° to 60° C
Operating humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
Storage humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
Electrical: Auto-detectable (PFC compliant) 100–240VAC, 50–60Hz; ENERGY STAR certified; Energy Efficiency Level VI certified; optional 2750 mAh battery; Healthcare models include IEC 60601-1 certified power supply

Options
Media handling: Dispenser/peeler (label peel and present with label present sensor) — field installable; Cutter — field installable
Communications: Field-installable Ethernet 10/100; 802.11ac Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 (dual radio); Serial RS-232 auto-sensing DB-9; Factory-installed options available

Accessories
Battery: high-capacity battery option to support portable/shift printing and connectivity options
Carrying case: carrying case with shoulder strap and handles for mobile cart or point-of-application use
Keyboard Display Unit: Zebra Keyboard Display Unit for stand-alone printing solutions
Enclosed power supply: attached power supply accessory for cord-free installation

Fonts, graphics and symbologies
Bar code ratios: 2:1 and 3:1
1D bar codes supported: Code 11, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, ISBT-128, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, Plessey, Postnet, Standard/Industrial/Interleaved 2-of-5, Logmars, MSI, Codabar, Planet Code
2D bar codes supported: Codablock, PDF417, Code 49, DataMatrix, MaxiCode, QR Code, MicroPDF, Aztec
Fonts/graphics: 16 resident expandable ZPL II bitmap fonts, two resident scalable ZPL fonts, five resident expandable EPL2 fonts, native open-type font support, Unicode compliant (China units include SimSun simplified Chinese font)

Supplies, service and support
Zebra Certified Supplies recommended for consistent performance with this printer family. Worldwide service and support via Zebra OneCare plans (coverage and availability vary by region).

Regulatory & environmental compliance
Regulatory standards include a broad set of international certifications (electrical, emissions and radio standards). Environmental compliance includes RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (Amendment 2015/863).

Included in the box
Printer (model-specific), empty ribbon take-up cores (for thermal transfer models), 300 m ribbon core adapters for non-Zebra ribbon (for thermal transfer models), AC power supply, power cord(s), USB cable, Quick Start Guide, Regulatory Guide.

Warranty
ZD400 Series printers are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for a minimum period of two years from date of shipment (warranty terms vary by region).

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Model / Series: ZD421-HC (healthcare model)
• Print technology: Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer (cartridge or roll)
• Max print width: ~4.09 in. / 104 mm
• Max print speed: up to 6 in./152 mm per second (203 dpi)
• Resolutions: 203 dpi standard, 300 dpi optional
• Memory: 512 MB Flash / 256 MB SDRAM
• Connectivity: USB, USB Host standard; optional Ethernet, serial, 802.11ac Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
• Media compatibility: roll-fed, fan-fold, die-cut, continuous, tags, receipt paper, wristbands
• Special healthcare features: disinfectant-ready plastics, sealed buttons, IEC 60601-1 power supply, UV-resistant housing
• Optional battery for mobile/portable printing
• Supported languages/firmware: ZPL II, EPL 2, XML, ZBI, PDF Direct