Migration guide
Zebra® G-Series™ printers
To facilitate easy migration from your current 28 Series desktop printers to the new G-Series desktop printers,
this document outlines the key operational differences and considerations:
• Communication
• Hardware
• Media handling
• Power
• Firmware
• Ribbon handling
Communication
1. The G-Series printer’s serial port is of a cross-over
null-modem configuration, which is the same pin-out
arrangement as on the ZPL-based 28-series printers.
For serial port users of EPL-based 28-series printers,
an appropriate serial cable or adaptor can be
sourced. The part numbers are G105950-054
and 105850-026 respectively.
3. Users of the external 10Base-T print server device on
their 28-series printers are recommended to migrate to
a G-Series printer with internal 10/100 Ethernet option.
4. To aid the setup of the G-Series printers, representative
icons appear above the printer’s interface ports and
power supply.
2. The GX420 and GX430 printers’ parallel port is of a
DB-25 configuration. A switchbox-style parallel cable
can be used. The part number is 105850-025.
I0I0I
Hardware
1. Unlike the 28-series thermal-transfer printers,
the thermal-transfer G-Series printers do not have
a lid-release catch.
2. The operation of the dispenser option’s peel sensor
is controlled via command code (as opposed to via
a switch on the 28-series printers). Legacy users
can control the sensor via the appropriate EPL OP
command or ZPL ^MMP command. Newer users
might wish to adopt a SGD “media.printmode”
method of control.
3. The GX420 and GX430 printers have a moveable sensor
option available to them. This full-width reflective
sensor can be moved across the whole width for use
in detecting black-mark registration marks. The multi-
position transmissive sensor caters for centralised
registration gaps, notches or die-cut holes and for the
28-series printers’ right offset position.
4. The peaked area on the lower media pathway
corresponds to an upper array of sensors. The direct-
thermal printers have a three-peak design, whereas the
thermal-transfer printers have a four-peak design. The
range of transmissive-sensor movement is the same on
both the direct-thermal and thermal-transfer printers.
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Migration guide
Zebra G-Series printers
Media handling
1. The default media action of the G-Series printers
resembles that of an EPL-based 28-series printer: the
printer will not feed automatically at power-on, only
following a lid closure. If you are changing between
two different styles of media, you should carry out
a manual calibration. This can be achieved via the
printer’s two-flash Feed-button sequence. The printer
can be changed to feed at both power-on or lid closure
using the ZPL ^MF command.
down method). Rotate the thumb wheel inwards on
the direct-thermal printers to keep the guides apart. For
thermal-transfer printer guides, rotate the thumb wheel
outwards to keep them apart.
4. For GX420 or GX430 printers equipped with a cutter
option, its default operation is to double-cycle following
every 25th cut. This automatic dual-cut is intended
as a cleaning action to maintain the life of the cutter.
This action can be disabled via the appropriate
SGD command “cutter.clean_cutter”, but it is
not recommended.
2. The G-Series printers are easier to load than 28-series
printers because they do not have separate roll holders
and guides. They are one integrated element and
support 12mm/0.5" cores.
5. Providing the relevant option is installed, common
media handling can be controlled via the SGD
constructs. The “media.printmode” command can be
used to manage G-Series printers in tear, peel or cutter
modes of operation.
3. If using fan-fold media or an external media roll, the
centralised thumb wheel can be used to keep roll
holders open (as opposed to using the older screw-
Power
1. The power supplies for the thermal-transfer G-Series
printers (the GK420t, GX420t and GX430t) are located
in the upper packaging. This is the same as 28-series
printers. However, direct-thermal G-Series printers
(the GK420d™ and GX420d™) have their power
supplies located in the lower packaging beneath
the printer itself.
3. When looking at the rear of the G-Series printers,
the location of the power on/off switch is on the right.
This is different from that of the 28-series.
2. The G-Series printers’ power supplies are of a 24-volt
DC design, as opposed to the 28-series printers’ 20-volt
DC design. Additionally, the power cable’s attachment
to the supply itself – the line socket – is of a C13 “kettle”
style, which is different from the C5 “clover-leaf” style
of the 28-series. Power supplies and power cables are
specific to printer models. G-Series printers cannot use
28-series printers’ power supplies and vice versa.
Power switch
C5
C13
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Migration guide
Zebra G-Series printers
Ribbon handling
1. The G-Series ribbon-sensing mechanism requires the
ribbon to have a reflective trailer. As such, the uni-
ribbon format should be used for GK420t™, GX420t™
and GX430t™ printers whenever they are being used in
the thermal-transfer mode of operation.
2. The inverted ribbon mechanism of the G-Series printers
is different from that of the thermal-transfer 28-series,
but it enables a far easier and quicker process. Refer to
the ribbon-loading instructions in the relevant printer’s
user guide for full instructions.
Notch
Adhesive strip
Right-hand side
(printer and roll)
Part number
Width (millimetres)
Length (metres)
Description
Rolls per box
05319BK06407
64
74
5319 Wax
12
05319BK08407
05319BK11007
05586BK06407
05586BK08407
05586BK11007
05095BK06407
05095BK08407
05095BK11007
84
74
74
74
74
74
74
74
74
5319 Wax
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
110
64
5319 Wax
5586 Wax/Resin
5586 Wax/Resin
5586 Wax/Resin
5095 Resin
84
110
64
84
5095 Resin
110
5095 Resin
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