Skip to content
WiFiLabel

EPL vs ZPL

Symptoms

You send ZPL and the printer does nothing useful. An older desktop, often an LP 2844, ignores the same job that works on a ZP 450. A configuration label or the language setting mentions EPL.

Cause

ZPL and EPL are different command languages. ZPL uses carets and tildes. EPL2 uses short letter commands. A printer set to EPL will not apply a ZPL darkness or size command. The LP 2844 commonly speaks EPL2. The LP 2844-Z is a ZPL model. Many later desktops speak ZPL, and some still offer EPL.

Fix

  1. Read device.languages on the SGD page or in printer setup. zpl and epl are the common answers.
  2. Send commands in the language the printer reports. Do not keep sending ZPL to an EPL-only model.
  3. Check the printer profile before you assume a model speaks ZPL.
  4. After you switch language, query it again. Some firmware applies the change on the next job.

FAQ

How can I tell if my printer is on EPL or ZPL?

Read device.languages. zpl and epl are the common answers. hybrid_xml shows up on some firmware. Send commands in the language it reports.

My old LP 2844 does not accept ZPL

Many LP 2844 units speak EPL2 only. The LP 2844-Z is the ZPL variant. Check the model page before you send ZPL.

Free and open source (MIT). GitHub. Made by WiFiLabel

Zebra, ZPL, and Link-OS are trademarks of Zebra Technologies. Not affiliated with Zebra Technologies.

This page uses Vercel Web Analytics. We record tool actions such as connect and calibrate. Analytics never include serial numbers, IP addresses, or label text. A label preview is sent to Labelary only while that checkbox is on.