For those shopping between these various printers --some Zebra models are available in 205 or 300 dpi models, since the 300 dpi was an option. So you have to be careful and not necessarily assume the dpi that you're going to get from the model name.
I will add that there are at least 10 different models of GX430T units, having model numbers like GX43-102510-000. I believe the numbering works something like this: GX43-102EPC-xxx where: E is 4 for USB+Serial+Ethernet and 5 for USB+Serial+Parallel, and 7 for USB+Wifi+Serial P is 1 for US power brick and 2 for UK/EU power brick (but this is uncertain). I assume that the printers themselves (which have DC barrel receptacles) are interchangeable. C is 1 for Peeler and 2 for Cutter, and 0 for nothing (I guess you just manually tear off the exposed paper strip) -xxx can probably specify various features, I have seen -150 for "adjustable black-line sensor" One significant problem is that sites that list these printers with detailed specs will often have conflicts between the narrative blurb, the photo, and the detailed spec listing. For example, you might get a generic photo that has no cutter for a model that has a cutter, or the detailed spec says the unit has an LCD display, which is actually only on the Wifi model (I believe). It's a mess out there!
Great comparison video. I'm looking for something to use as both a label printer and a receipt printer and was wondering about the print quality difference between these two and you covered it nicely -- thanks! Would both of those work as a receipt printer? (I'm assuming they've got a tear bar?)
They would both probably work well for your situation. I’d recommend the gx430t over the gx420t or d model because it isn’t much more expensive for better features (the increased accuracy might be important to get readable receipts). They both have a plastic tear bar that facilitates the ripping of the labels (no metal blade). You might have to do some research on the type of receipt materials that this printer can print because I only use it for 4x6 shipping labels.
Yea, I think that it is more for peel and stick labels rather than receipts. If you mean receipts as in the thin paper ones then you would have to get a different unit ~ $70 for an epson thermal receipt printer on eBay. But as far as shipping labels the zebras are a no-brainer over a dymo or rollo.
hi, thanks for your informative video. i´ve got the GK420t for a very good price , after i saw your recommendation. do i have manual option to do only thermal or thermal transfer print after i load a transfer ribbon to the printer? should i always remove the ribbon before i like to use in for only thermal print? thanks and best of luck with all your printers!
To do direct printing you have to take the ribbon out or at least not let it run over the head. To do thermal transfer you leave the ribbon in and run it over the head. Remember that you have to change the thermal transfer / direct in software too.
I use the GX420d and have had zero issue with it, in my ebay store, for years. I love it and don't think I'd use another one. I have a second one, as a backup.
@@tylerebowers both excellent reasons to upgrade. I haven't upgraded for one reason. Price. I found both of my 420's at my local Goodwill outlet, so I only paid by the pound, lol. Came with the PSU's and everything and they both work. So, I guess I paid $15 for both? Lol
Did you print that empty spool yourself...or did you have someone else ?....I need one badly....I would love to get that 3d printer file from you if avail....thanks so much
@@tylerebowers thanks so much! I just got my first 3d printer a few weeks ago and have been waiting for something to come along that i could use instead of just printing something to print....so this will be my first print project....and the spool will also be used in my new {used} gx430t...thanks again so much!
These are monochromatic, (they only print black) and I’d imagine you would probably want some other colors so they probably won’t work for you. If you are just using them for tagging (ie serial number stickers) then they are great. You will want to look for a color label printer, Zebra does make some but there are also other brands.
Seems like the ZD421T is newer, but it’s not that much different from the GX430T in terms of specs (300dpi, speed). I’d go with the newer one if you can get it for a good price relative to the GX430T. But compare them for yourself too just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
For those shopping between these various printers --some Zebra models are available in 205 or 300 dpi models, since the 300 dpi was an option. So you have to be careful and not necessarily assume the dpi that you're going to get from the model name.
I will add that there are at least 10 different models of GX430T units, having model numbers like GX43-102510-000. I believe the numbering works something like this: GX43-102EPC-xxx where:
E is 4 for USB+Serial+Ethernet and 5 for USB+Serial+Parallel, and 7 for USB+Wifi+Serial
P is 1 for US power brick and 2 for UK/EU power brick (but this is uncertain). I assume that the printers themselves (which have DC barrel receptacles) are interchangeable.
C is 1 for Peeler and 2 for Cutter, and 0 for nothing (I guess you just manually tear off the exposed paper strip)
-xxx can probably specify various features, I have seen -150 for "adjustable black-line sensor"
One significant problem is that sites that list these printers with detailed specs will often have conflicts between the narrative blurb, the photo, and the detailed spec listing. For example, you might get a generic photo that has no cutter for a model that has a cutter, or the detailed spec says the unit has an LCD display, which is actually only on the Wifi model (I believe). It's a mess out there!
I'm addicted to thermal printers :P
thank you so much for the comparison, i picked my gx430t up for $40. once i saw the comparison i learned that it could work transfer and direct 😂
Thank you, much appreciate your review. I am considering of buying a used one and didn't know what the thermal feature was about or how it even works.
thank you this is so helpful
Great video. I just picked up a gk420T can you tell me how long does the ribbon last after it’s been open.
Great comparison video. I'm looking for something to use as both a label printer and a receipt printer and was wondering about the print quality difference between these two and you covered it nicely -- thanks! Would both of those work as a receipt printer? (I'm assuming they've got a tear bar?)
They would both probably work well for your situation. I’d recommend the gx430t over the gx420t or d model because it isn’t much more expensive for better features (the increased accuracy might be important to get readable receipts). They both have a plastic tear bar that facilitates the ripping of the labels (no metal blade). You might have to do some research on the type of receipt materials that this printer can print because I only use it for 4x6 shipping labels.
@@tylerebowers Thanks for the great info, Tyler!
Yea, I think that it is more for peel and stick labels rather than receipts. If you mean receipts as in the thin paper ones then you would have to get a different unit ~ $70 for an epson thermal receipt printer on eBay. But as far as shipping labels the zebras are a no-brainer over a dymo or rollo.
hi, thanks for your informative video. i´ve got the GK420t for a very good price , after i saw your recommendation. do i have manual option to do only thermal or thermal transfer print after i load a transfer ribbon to the printer? should i always remove the ribbon before i like to use in for only thermal print? thanks and best of luck with all your printers!
To do direct printing you have to take the ribbon out or at least not let it run over the head. To do thermal transfer you leave the ribbon in and run it over the head. Remember that you have to change the thermal transfer / direct in software too.
I use the GX420d and have had zero issue with it, in my ebay store, for years. I love it and don't think I'd use another one. I have a second one, as a backup.
The gx420d worked great for me too, but I decided to upgrade to the gx430t for the quality and durability of 300dpi and thermal transfer.
@@tylerebowers both excellent reasons to upgrade. I haven't upgraded for one reason.
Price.
I found both of my 420's at my local Goodwill outlet, so I only paid by the pound, lol. Came with the PSU's and everything and they both work. So, I guess I paid $15 for both? Lol
@@markevans7937 that’s a steal, I would have just bought them for resale. I think I paid ~$200. Can’t remember.
@@tylerebowers I was using a cheap, generic, Amazon printer, so one of those was an excellent upgrade.
Did you print that empty spool yourself...or did you have someone else ?....I need one badly....I would love to get that 3d printer file from you if avail....thanks so much
tylerebowers.com/files/cad/zebraspool.stl
@@tylerebowers thanks so much! I just got my first 3d printer a few weeks ago and have been waiting for something to come along that i could use instead of just printing something to print....so this will be my first print project....and the spool will also be used in my new {used} gx430t...thanks again so much!
Hi Tyler, I have a question about this video and products. Can they also print wine labels? My thanks in advance!
These are monochromatic, (they only print black) and I’d imagine you would probably want some other colors so they probably won’t work for you. If you are just using them for tagging (ie serial number stickers) then they are great. You will want to look for a color label printer, Zebra does make some but there are also other brands.
Hello! How do I install the old version GX 420d with the little screen to my laptop?
You will want the windows (assuming you are using windows) printer driver: www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printers/desktop/gx420d.html
does GX430T use the same ribbon as GK420T
I think it does, the only difference between the print heads is the higher resolution of the gx430t.
ZD421T or GX430T ??
Seems like the ZD421T is newer, but it’s not that much different from the GX430T in terms of specs (300dpi, speed). I’d go with the newer one if you can get it for a good price relative to the GX430T. But compare them for yourself too just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
@@tylerebowers i asked chatGPT it recommends the GX430T although it's older
Also sometimes the same model can have a different print head, make sure the one you buy is 300dpi. The resolution boost looks really nice on labels.