Barcode printers

Barcode labels can be used to make checkout and inventory management easier in your retail store. You can use a supported label printer to print barcode labels for your products. The printer needs to be connected to a desktop computer, and you need to install the appropriate software.

Supported barcode label printers

To print barcode labels for your Shopify products, you need to use a supported printer and associated software.

Explore the collection of label printers compatible with Shopify listed below, with details on available brands, model numbers, and regional availability across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Label printers in North America

Explore the wide range of label printers available in North America for Shopify, including diverse models from Brother QL, DYMO, and Zebra, detailing their model numbers and where they can be purchased in the United States and Canada.

Label printers in Europe

Discover the selection of label printers compatible with Shopify in Europe, featuring models from Zebra and Bixolon, available with various connectivity options and detailed by country availability.

Label printers in Asia-Pacific

Check out the label printer options available in Australia for Shopify, focusing on the Brother QL Label Printer - Wi-Fi, detailed with its model number and purchasing options.

The label printer connects to a desktop computer with a wireless or wired connection, depending on the model that you choose. The printer needs to be connected to a desktop computer with the required software installed, even if you start printing from your POS device.

Considerations for barcode printers

Review the following considerations before setting up barcode label printing:

Device compatibility

• DYMO LabelWriter 450: Compatible with Mac (OS X® 10.11 or later) and Windows (Windows® 7 or later) computers.
• DYMO LabelWriter 550: Compatible with Mac (Mac OS X 10.14 or later) and Windows (Windows 8.1 or later) computers. Supports both Intel and M1 models. Macbook Air and Macbook Pro 13" require Big Sur 11.1 or later. Mac mini isn't compatible.
• DYMO LabelWriter Wireless: Compatible with Mac (OS X® 10.11 or later) and Windows (Windows® 7 or later) computers only. The DYMO Wireless printer can't print on iOS or Android devices using the Retail Barcode Labels app.
• Zebra ZD421: This printer doesn't support AirPrint and can't print barcodes directly from iOS devices or through a web browser. Although the printer can connect to iOS devices through Bluetooth using Zebra's app, it isn't integrated for barcode label printing. A desktop computer connection is required for barcode label printing.
• All barcode printers: Barcode label printing requires a desktop computer or laptop. You cannot print barcode labels directly from the Shopify POS app or mobile devices.

Supported label sizes

• The Retail Barcode Labels app supports only 4 label sizes for DYMO printers: Small (1" x 1"), Medium (1" x 2 1/8"), Large (1 1/8" x 3 1/2"), and Butterfly/Barbell (3/8" x 3/4"). Custom label sizes aren't available.

Software requirements for printing labels

To print barcode labels, you need to set up one of the following before connecting your printer to a desktop computer:

• The Retail Barcode Labels app — Design and print simple barcode labels from within Shopify.
• The Dymo Label software — Design and print comprehensive barcode labels. You can print the labels from a desktop or POS device.

Connecting your printer to a desktop computer

To connect your printer, follow the quick start guides from the manufacturer:

• Dymo LabelWriter 450
• Dymo LabelWriter 550
• Dymo LabelWriter Wireless Printer
• Zebra ZD220 Printer
• Zebra ZD420 Printer
• Zebra ZD421 Printer
• Zebra ZSB Series Printers

Supported barcode label sizes for Dymo printers

To print barcode labels with either supported Dymo printer, you need to use Dymo brand labels in one of the following sizes:

• Small (1" x 1"), maximum of 6-8 digits
• Medium (1" x 2 1/8"), maximum of 22 digits
• Large (1 1/8" x 2 1/8"), maximum of 40 digits
• Butterfly/Barbell (3/8" x 3/4"), maximum of 8 digits (not available in the United Kingdom)

You might need to use fewer characters if you use letters or symbols because some of them take up more space than numbers.

Supported barcode label sizes for Zebra printers

To print labels with your label printer, you can go to the Zebra Supplies Selector | ZipZebra Supplies Solutions website to find the Zebra brand labels that meet your needs.

Add barcodes to your Shopify products

You can add barcodes to your products in Shopify by using the following methods:

• Use the Retail Barcode Labels app to add barcodes to your products.
• Add a barcode to a product or variant details.
• Import barcodes in bulk as part of a product CSV file

Troubleshoot barcode printers

If you're having trouble printing barcode labels, then try these steps:

1. Are you using a supported printer? These are the only barcode label printers that are supported.
2. Is the printer properly connected? Make sure that its connected to both a power outlet and the USB port of the computer that you're printing from.
3. Do you have an internet connection? You can't print labels for your products unless your computer can connect to Shopify.
4. Are you using supported barcode labels? Your labels won't print correctly unless you're using supported barcode labels and you select the correct label size in your barcode template.
5. Do all the products and variants that you're printing labels for have barcode numbers assigned to them? If there are any products without a barcode number in Shopify, then add the barcodes before printing their labels.
6. Is the printer paused? Check the status of your label printer, and make sure that it's not paused and there are no printing jobs in its queue.
7. Is the printer printing blank labels? You might need to clean your printer. You can find instructions for cleaning your printer in the manufacturer's user manual for Dymo or Zebra.
8. For the Dymo LabelWriter Wireless Printer: are you noticing any flashing lights on the side of the printer? If so, then use the manufacturer’s troubleshooting manual to find the source of the issue.

You can also review the Barcode printing guidelines.

In this section

• Using the Dymo Label software

• Retail Barcode Labels app