How to run a Zebra GK420d Thermal printer on a Mac - Installing a Zebra Printer on Apple Mac GK420

[@retreatremedies]

You absolute bloody legend for doing this video, thanks so much you have literally just saved my hair from being pulled out or wasting hours of my life. With your help I now have a working printer. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. Hugely appreciated!! Kindest wishes Katherine

[@annaleahlowe1916]

I've just received my Zebra GK420D and searched straight away for a tutorial because I knew that I wouldn't be able to load the installation cd onto my Mac. I followed the instructions on this tutorial and hey presto! The printer is working :) Thanks xx

[@littledevildee]

Thanks!

[@gwnaylor]

GK420D - how did you overcome any dithering issues for shipping barcodes?

[@NicHills]

Update - this works on my new M1 mac too :)

[@MisterTeach]

It only prints out a quarter of the label from eBay. paper size etc is fine. Works perfectly from word. Any ideas?

[@riverfront1512]

you don't know how much helpful this video is. Thanks

[@ladypipa1798]

THANK YOU!!!!! We were struggling to set up the zebra printer for so long until we found your video. So helpful!!

[@Consistent30]

Absolute great job mate. Works a charm!

[@johnhuntsmanreselling4113]

I had this same issue today however I managed to link it up with my MacBook but I haven’t been able to print a label from my MacBook due to it saying it’s in use ? I canceled all the prints ect but for some reason it is still saying printer in use, I have the same model as you and my one is second hand aswell so I’m not to sure how to resolve this issue if you or anyone else know or could give me some advice to solve this issue I’d really appreciate it, thanks mate, also great video 👍🏻

[@irfannayan9758]

Hey mate Mine doesnt work yet, The printing quality is very poor i have followed exactly whatever the page said but still quality is poor what shall i do for Mac and this printer?

[@swishpan]

Stupid question but what software do you print with? I get errors using notepad etc.

[@shay3571]

Hey, I have the Mac Ventura 13.3.1 any download link you recommend for a this type of computer?

[@TheLiverpoolDelta]

I run a Dymo450. works great on Mac, no setup problems. If you're new to thermal printers make sure you don't put any sellotape over the labels, it will fade the print especially in hot weather. Also keep felt-pens such as sharpies well away from the labels, the solvent in the pens can blacken the label making it unreadable. Two mistakes I found out the hard way.

[@Lochnivar]

Have you had any problems printing prepaid postage labels like Royal mail OBA or UPS? I'm shopping for a label printer for my mac but it's a massive headache, I don't want to spend out for a large 6x4 printer as I'm sending mostly Large letters, but I do want to be able to print out Royal mail labels if needed in the future

[@Yrrbnlylsw]

Zebras have just been a nightmare for me on Mac. Simpler options are out there with much less wasted time.

[@jaydew4557]

Thank you so much for this video!!! Was bout to pull my hair out thinking I had just bought a printer that wasn't compatible with mac. Legend!

[@tris]

What an utter legend. Thanks, Nic!

[@marleegracesimpson8704]

THANK YOU!! I have been struggling with setting up my printer with a mac and could only find help with windows. This did the trick!

[@MRENNWHYWHY]

Hi all, ive recently moved back to MAC and i still have the same issue i had in the past, when printing labels via MAC it only prints one page at time and taking forever to print labels. when i was using Windows the printer would spit the lables out is there specific reason why it takes forever on the mac?

[@carolinesavage5869]

Great video, thank you Nic, very easy to follow. I have 1 additional note to add, when you get to paper options I found that I had to select 'Bonded Paper' and from there only I could customise the size.

[@annab8797]

IN CASE THIS DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU: I used Nic's set up for the first GK420d that I bought (second hand) a year ago. All worked beautifully until that printer met its maker two days ago. Nevermind, quickly ordered another (brand new this time). So today, I was basically swapping from an older GK420d (which until two days ago when it broke, was working on the same Mac/ same MacOS under the ZPL driver) to a new GK420d. I'd assumed it would just be a simple click-and-go using the ZPL driver, or at worst a reinstall by deleting the old and installing the new ... but it just would not work. I had to use trial and error and eventually found that the EPL2 Printer driver (higher up in the list shown) works - at least for Royal Mail postal labels, which is what I print. I'm on Catalina (10.15.2). Hope this helps someone.

[@philipbarton421]

I also had this issue with the ZPL driver, it connects ok but only a 30% top part of the label was printed. Spent a while messing around with the settings and paper size but I still couldn't get it working until I read this. Changed the driver from ZPL to EPL2 and it's now working! Thanks guys :-)

[@benmc6357]

i had the same issue, your fix worked!! thank you!!

[@mohammadhossain7867]

Hi, I did connect as you showed ,, its connected ,, I did set up printing page 6"x 4" too , when I print front doesn't print properly , any halo please ?

[@theaudiosenseinl]

You are already a legend for wearing a Carter USM t-shirt. I already found that information elsewhere and the printer installed. But i am still figuring out how to print labels and if there is specific label printing software for the Mac that can work with this printer.

[@siobhantate3491]

Hi please can you help. I bought this printer 2nd hand. It is recognised on my Mac but is printing blanks?? The labels are definitely thermal I have tried them out. Please can you help

[@sarahburns4311]

Can anyone help me please! How to I physical connect the Mac to the printer? The leads don’t seem to plug into the Mac?

[@plentyofshadestore]

Easy, straight to the point video, Thanks for your help

[@BeagleAndFox-yr6vd]

I have my printer installed (thank you!) but my Royal Mail labels from Amazon buy shipping are so grainy and I cant seem to fix them. I purchased the Peninsula driver for £97. The test print from them then printed in much better quality. But I still cant get my Amazon labels to print in the same good quality. Can anyone help please :(

[@kurbads74]

I have installed it, it is dithering, can you get to the point?

[@joellbebek8091]

Thanks but how can you make continuous lot number and print a barcode ?

[@perfuniqmyownperfume8445]

what software are you using for labels ?

[@parkermcintosh3438]

This is great! Thank you! Watching this again to refresh my memory after having updated my MacBook and having lost my link to my Zebra!

[@clemmiesveaas9855]

Is there any way to make it wireless? We have the same model as you and we thought we had got a wireless one, but can't figure it out!

[@justaknifeonly9600]

How do you change the label size or the page size it's doing my head new to mac and zebra420 😢

[@jesscoombs5626]

I'm not new to Mac but this bloody label printer is driving me nuts! It's printing at around 200% what I need it to, I'm always making sure the paper size is 6x4. Let me know if you find something that works!

[@danielgibbs5676]

Can't get this to work at all... I have 10.14 installed and there zero drivers listed. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get this working???

[@embersandroots]

Hi i followed your vid and yep great it installed - however, when i print the label settings arent correct they are too far right. I use the 4x6 setting but nothing is working ..... what print settings do you have yours on please?

[@mohammadhossain7867]

I have same problem , have you sorted yours ?

[@alvint4944]

Hi! Thanks for this! What software for Mac do you recommend to print the labels?

[@yeltayyesbolat7566]

The problem is we have a website, and it is sponsered by corona test system, how to connect that printer when you only have a website and there is no connection between them

[@jennifersauls5408]

I have a ZEBRA LP2442 and can not get it to work with my MAC air running 10.14.5...

[@Maxsdiscos]

Nic, Why didn't you ask the manufacture for the driver?

[@jevansturner]

My Zebra GK420d is on my home network and my Windows machine can print to it just fine. macOS 10.15.4 does not show the printer when I go to add it. If I try to manually add using the LAN IP address + ZPL driver, it hangs forever. :(

[@nickraymond135]

thanks for your help, was struggling with this until I watched your video!

[@Meggy-Meffy]

Hi Nic. i am struggling to find appropriate software to use with Zebra GK420d printer. What are you using to print your labels? Thanks

[@JobBuddyTech]

You're a legend mate, this has been doing my head in. Thanks!

[@linnea8707]

Thanks from Arizona! I had to try all the Zebra options but found one that worked! Thank you so much!!!

[@EvoeMattsson]

Thanks! Works like a charm. Also with Sonoma 14.1.1

[@meowmimitv4435]

I just change my computer job from windowsPC to Mac last month and I use zebra for 6 years to print my shipping label. The words and barcode looks clear and beautiful. But when I use the same printer on Mac , the words and barcode on label turn to fuzzy condition. Do you know why?

[@meowmimitv4435]

You may try to set the "dithering" to none under the driver property to see if that improve but if the source is from compress image or PDF that would not have any help at all as the source already is compressed before sending to the printer. That is what I saw from a zebra support page. Maybe that is the reason why my lebal is fuzzy as the lebal come with PDF files.

[@oliverromain]

Worked for my on my 2011 mac. Just chose the ZPL from the drop down software selection. Printing seems hazy for a brand new printer.

[@oliverromain]

I thought that these printers were just fuzzy. But I was using the wrong driver. This video tells you how to use the wrong driver and get rubbish prints. I make no money out of this but advise you strongly to buy the correct driver - or change to windows. LOL www.peninsula-group.com/zebra-printer-drivers-for-mac-osx/

[@Kirrah_jade]

My label print out fuzzy I’ve adjusted the darkness etc it’s the wrong driver?

[@oliverromain]

Kirrah_Jade don’t use the labels Royal Mail will sideline the fuzzy prints

[@stacyreneegraycurrie6160]

Lifesaver! I just installed it, and am getting ready to print my first label. Thank you for adding this video!

[@irfannayan9758]

which software you downloaded for mac?

[@craig69er86]

Thanks for this Nick! this means i can buy one now and the days of cutting out paper labels and sellotaping are gone!! :D

[@NicHills]

Fantastic - I hope you love it as much as I do :)

[@shahaabqaisar5380]

Hi Nic, What software do you use on your Mac to create your labels/barcodes?

[@JustinCardiff]

Doesn’t work for me, I select 6 by 4 but the label image is cut off.

[@JustinCardiff]

Tried zebra EPL2 driver and that works.

[@jamesdyer2366]

Hello Nic, thanks for the video. Ive found installing the printer really easily but the label quality is poor, did you have this problem at all? Thanks

[@gwnaylor]

Currently same issue for shipping labels - it appears to be an inferior driver on the Mac as there is no way to control dithering (unlike on the PC). That said printing just txt etc from Pages works a treat.

[@mohammadhossain7867]

@@gwnaylor same here , using Mac ,, have you sorted yours ?

[@gwnaylor]

Mohammad Hossain Dithering cannot be turned off on the Mac using the current MACOS Driver. You can buy one that does work for the Mac but current price is around £97. I sold the printer on and await a QL1110NWB.

[@Vgillam651]

Thanks Nic, installed on my Mac no problem

[@damonwilliams7317]

Hi Nic, do I have to download the driver first from the zebra website? or will it just be plug in the usb and than follow these instructions? many thanks

[@gwnaylor]

If you didn't already know it's on the Mac just plug in and go.

[@zakj3769]

Just wanted to ask why use this particular printer as apposed to other brands, and also why not just use standard printer? thanks for advice :)

[@thebanana2885]

Zebra are good!

[@yagogoicoechea5259]

Hi Nic, Thanks for the video. I have a GK420T and I am trying to install it on my Mac 10.12 just like you. Still I cannot make it work. I've tried to put the measurements 4 x 6" which is the one everyone suggests and I tried to put the measurements I really need (because of the type of ribbon I have) which are 30mm x 100mm. Do you have any suggestions? It seems that the computer sends the job to the printer the first time but not the second time. Hope you can help me, I am lost here.

[@NicHills]

What I share in the video worked for me and the printer runs fine now... wish I could be more helpful

[@sergeyb9414]

Hi, I have GT420D and have similar problem. Labels are printing our but smaller size then it set. Trying to print full label size as 4 x 6 but they coming like 1x1 at the corner. Not sure how to fix this. Was searching on a Web but could not get exact solution.

[@izanpretorius81]

Did you get your Zebra GK420t to work?

[@samwoodcock5217]

Sergejs Baranovs hi did you get around this issue? I have the same one. Thanks

[@littledevildee]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@Yrrbnlylsw]

Yes, the Zebra or the CUPS drivers will work for Mac OS. Problem is, your print quality will remain very poor. That's why the paid for drivers exist, they resolve the resolution problems Zebra doesn't address. I moved to a Rollo and have had zero issues.

[@samfitzgerald7951]

Has anyone had any luck finding other drivers for this printer? I am using the mac ones at the moment but the printing seems to be a little bit jagged at times, i downloaded a trial driver from an online site and it came out super clear, however they are charging £100 for access to them? Please let me know if anyone has had any luck

[@gjwilson]

Ive just received my zebra yesterday and managed to set it up on my mac mini following your guide. What level of darkness do you have yours setup at in order for RM to be able to scan the barcodes and QR codes?

[@oliverromain]

The driver does not work for RM bar codes. Buy the peninsula one www.peninsula-group.com/zebra-printer-drivers-for-mac-osx/

[@Alite2012]

Hi thanks for the video i was trying to find away to do this on my Mac as like you said Cd only works on Windows. What software do you use to print of the labels, as before i was using word 2007 and it allows you to scale a print down to 4x6 but now on my Mac i have office 2016 and it doesn't have the scale option when printing. Any ideas or a recommendation on software. Kind regards

[@NicHills]

So glad the video was helpful - I print direct from the royal Mail website and my courier's website which works fine.

[@mohammadhossain7867]

@@NicHills Hello , this video was definitely help full , I been watching your videos from long ago ,, it installed ,, I am using click and drop and I downloaded adobe as instructed , just hiving the problem with printing after set up 6"x 4" though , its not working , any help please.

[@paloweb1]

Great printer! Nic, Ive had mine 2 years and free labels with Royal Mail too! saved loads

[@jonliversidge3516]

Hate to say it but your labels get refused by Royal Mail if you do this as the barcodes can't be read if printed with this driver.

[@darrenorrell7224]

ive just got one of theres printers and ive got it set up right but it will only print a quarter of the label no matter what i do even if i configure the printer it wont go past quarter of the configure print on the label size so i think mine might be broken :(

[@mrbillllllllll]

hi, did you ever find a solution. Mine is only printing half the label

[@mrbillllllllll]

Just found that if I choose the EPL2 driver instead of the ZPL one then it prints the whole label. Hope that works for you!

[@bernicedas]

@@mrbillllllllll thanks! i had same issue. worked perfect after switching to EPL2 driver

[@ilpsam]

thank you so much, saved me a lot of time!

[@Cannapackaging]

you are a real boss!

[@hannesmycloudtoday8313]

Thanks for the video, saved me from buying Dymo alternative as the zebra support site did not have mac software.

[@idanieltube]

Thanks so much, I had found the drivers but was unsure which one was correct, this video has shown me which one I should use :)

[@NicHills]

Glad it helped

[@abbythomas9582]

Thanks so much for this. Just tried with High Sierra 10.13.6 and it worked too if people are wondering if it goes past 10.12

[@YOBROLONDON]

Is this printer compatible with RJ45 ethernet cable ?

[@SamColbear]

If you have the newer model it will be. Mine is from 2014 and has usb and ethernet.

[@christianhansen2501]

Thank you mate! It's working!

[@EdWilliamsch]

You're the best !

[@marcellocunhaiavecchia2429]

Thank you! Worked perfectly...

[@mariusvandestolpe4771]

thank you!

[@slowsteve3497]

just bought same printed. used. thank you for this!!!!!!

[@derekandmandysemporium5506]

Hi Nic. I bought a vretti a wee while back now, what a nightmare trying to install software so thankfully the seller accepted it back and i received refund. I bought the zebra GK420d. I didn't receive any usb or CD software but I just looked up zebra website and downloaded it. I have windows 11. It took about 10 mins to find all the relevant software and it works fine BUT here's the down point, this was Only after buying it I found it is discontinued as a printer and the software updates will stop after 2025. My fault But looking on the bright side, as least as present, I have a printer that works, I can find out how to use all different methods of courier service depending on what the customer prefers And I can send all sorts of items from the door then when that time arrives, depending on how technology changes over time, I know how to proceed on the next one. you gave me good advice online so thank you and just a wee note to others reading this, I'm well aware Royal mail is going via tough times just now and post offices are shutting down hugely all over the UK so it's always better to plan ahead.

[@jamiescott-smith9662]

very useful vid Nic - thanks a lot

[@tommcnamee5946]

Hi Nic,I also run on mac but I didn't know these drivers were. Already installed on it,this is a great info vid-thank you✌🏼😀

[@NicHills]

Great - glad it was useful :)

[@agood100]

Thank you again! Love your channel!

[@yokkradsanaoh3963]

Amazing!! Thank you so much. 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@tiliabythesea-seaglassjewe7599]

Cheers! So simple and after callibrating the labels now it works a treat ! Cheers

[@fireflyuk]

Nic will you do a video on using Click & Drop with a Royal Mail online business account (plus any differences in bagging & tagging for the drop off)

[@NicHills]

probably once I work all that out myself !!!- today's task was to make the printer work and be able to print labels... the next mission is working out how to use click and drop with my OBA :)

[@georgephillips7207]

@@NicHills, did you manage to do this?

[@hookpolo]

So helpful! Awesome work- thanks

[@NicHills]

Go glad it helped :)

[@donwalker3647]

Worked a treat! Thank you mate!

[@Marliie]

Thank you so much💖💖 this video was so helpful worked right away !!

[@charliecampbell1214]

Great video, I was about to go nuts! Thankyou

[@stephaniebrooke5656]

Best vid of all time! Sooo grateful for this! You are a fantastic teacher & made the process seem so easy

[@GiftyBargains]

I found exact same zebra gmk20d from car boot for a pound! Just device and cables. Softwares are all online to download. I have windows.

[@illicitbloc732]

Thank you Nic very helpful!

[@juliomastro6500]

It worked perfect with your guidelines. thanks mate

[@jodeecreations5800]

Thank you soooooo much you're a star really appreciate you help!!

[@TDyer]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@marie-joseeleroux4658]

Thank you so much for your help! 🙏

[@NicHills]

You're welcome!

[@jonyovanno4145]

Dude! You rock! works like a champ!!! Thank you!!!

[@SneakersKicksCreps]

perfect done the job great

[@karadolan9810]

Thank you so much! I really appreciated your hep, it made my day :)

[@eleanoryankah1894]

Thank you!!

[@kristianjeffrey2295]

Awesome! Thank you for your help, this is exactly what I needed!!

[@MaxXim1Lian]

thank you for your video, it helped,

[@laustgaming]

My man!🤩

[@NayarPervez]

Thank you so much for this! Very useful!

[@ememquatier3725]

it works hooooooraaaay, thank you thank you thank you:)