Printers and formats
A compatibility list is only useful if it admits the gaps. Verified means we ran it ourselves. Unsupported means it returns an error instead of printing something wrong.
Content types
Printer languages go straight to the printer, untouched. Documents go through that computer's normal printing, which means its driver can change how they look.
| contentType | Carries | Path to the printer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
raw_base64 | ZPL, EPL, ESC/POS — base64-encoded | Sent straight to the printer, untouched | Verified |
pdf_base64 | A PDF document, base64-encoded | Printed the normal way by that computer | Verified |
text | Plain text | Printed the normal way by that computer | Verified |
raw_uri | A URL we would fetch the bytes from | Off by default — returns an error | Off by default |
pdf_uri | A URL we would fetch a PDF from | Off by default — returns an error | Off by default |
The API accepts URLs, but they are switched off unless someone deliberately turns them on. Send base64 instead — it avoids a computer in your building making web requests to whatever address was passed in.
Printer languages
If your printer speaks it and you can produce it, we deliver it untouched.
The default for shipping and product labels. Every major carrier returns ZPL for thermal label printers, and it is what we recommend for anything with a barcode.
The older Zebra and Eltron language, still common on long-lived hardware like the GK420d. We treat it exactly like ZPL.
Receipt and kitchen printers. Same path — your bytes, including paper-cut and cash-drawer commands, reach the device unchanged.
For packing slips, invoices, pick lists, and work orders. These print the normal way through that computer, so its driver decides scaling and margins — fine for documents, not what you want for a 4×6 label.
Platforms
It is an ordinary desktop app. It needs to see the printer the way any other app on that computer would.
| Platform | Finds printers | Printer languages | Documents (PDF / text) |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS | Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Linux (incl. Raspberry Pi) | Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Windows | Verified | Built, not verified | Limited |
Printer families
This isn't a list of what's allowed. It's a list of what we've actually tried. Anything a computer can already print to should work.
| Printer family | Typical use | What to send | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zebra ZD-series (ZD421, ZD621) | Shipping and product labels | raw_base64 | Verified |
| Zebra GK/GX-series (GK420d) | Older warehouse label printers | raw_base64 | Verified |
| Generic ESC/POS receipt printers | Counter receipts, kitchen tickets | raw_base64 | Expected |
| Office laser and inkjet (via OS queue) | Packing slips, invoices, work orders | pdf_base64 | Verified |
| Network printers set up on a computer | Shared printers with no computer attached | Either | Verified |
Running something not listed here? Install the Station app and look at the printers it finds. That takes about two minutes and is more reliable than any table. Download the Station app →
Questions
If the computer can already see the printer and print to it, we can almost certainly use it. Install RocketPrint Station and it will report every printer that computer can see — then just look at the list.
You need the printer set up on that computer, but the driver barely matters. For ZPL we skip the driver entirely and send your bytes straight to the printer, so a generic or raw driver is fine — often better.
Yes, as long as some computer on that network has the printer set up. The app does not have to be on the same machine as the printer, only able to reach it the way any other app would.
Same as any other. The computer sees the printer, the app reports it, and your bytes go straight to it.
Straight to the Windows print spooler rather than through a driver, so your ZPL reaches the printer untouched, the same as on macOS and Linux. We have built and unit-tested that path but have not yet run it on physical Windows hardware ourselves. PDFs and text use Station’s built-in document renderer. Check the download catalog for verified installers; Linux distribution is not yet available.
Two minutes to find out
It reports every printer that computer can see, and shows you the list.