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Installing a Unicode-Supported Font on Zebra Printers

To print accented characters (like “é” instead of “e”) correctly on your labels, install a Unicode-supported font on your Zebra printer. This guide walks you through installing the DejaVu Sans font s…

NIr Malchy
Updated by NIr Malchy

To print accented characters (like “é” instead of “e”) correctly on your labels, install a Unicode-supported font on your Zebra printer. This guide walks you through installing the DejaVu Sans font so special characters display properly

Step 1: Download the Font

Step 2: Install the Font on the Printer

You can install the font in two different ways:

  1. Using Zebra Setup Utilities (Recommended)
  2. Using Raw ZPL Commands (Advanced)

This is the simplest approach, using Zebra’s free software.

  1. Install Zebra Setup Utilities
    Download and install from:
    Zebra Setup Utilities
  2. Select Your Printer
    • Launch Zebra Setup Utilities.
    • Select your connected Zebra printer from the list.
  3. Download the Font
    • Open Printer Tools → Download Fonts and Graphics.
    • Choose a storage location on the printer (commonly E: flash memory).
    • Select your DejaVu Sans .ttf file from your computer.
  4. Agree to the License
    • Review and accept the license agreement.
    • DejaVu Sans is open-source and free for commercial use.
  5. Verify Installation
    • The utility converts and downloads the font to the printer.
    • Print a configuration label or run a command to confirm the font file is stored in flash memory.

Using Raw ZPL Commands (Advanced)

For automated or scripting-based workflows.

  1. Prepare the Font Data
    • Convert the DejaVu Sans .ttf file into Zebra-compatible binary format.
    • Note the file size and binary font data.
  2. Send the Download Command
    Use the ~DY command in ZPL to download the font:
    
            
    
              
    
                
    
              
    
            
    
            
    ^XA
          ~DYE:DEJAVU.TTF,B,T,<file_size_in_bytes>,<binary_font_data>
          ^XZ
  3. Assign and Use the Font
    • Assign an identifier with the ^CW command.
    • Example:
      
            
      
              
      
                
      
              
      
            
      
            
      ^XA
          ^CWZ,E:DEJAVU.TTF
          ^FO50,50
          ^AZN,40,40
          ^FDHello World^FS
          ^XZ

Step 3: Restart the Printer

After installation, restart the printer to apply changes.

Step 4: Test the Output

  • Print a sample label with special characters (e.g., é)
  • Confirm the characters display correctly.

Alternative Workaround

If installing fonts is not possible:

  • Replace special characters with standard equivalents (e.g., use “e” instead of “é”) to avoid encoding conflicts.

✅ You now have Unicode font support on your Zebra printer!

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