zebra-label

name	zebra-label
description	Print labels on the lab's Zebra ZD411 printer (2"x1" labels). Use when asked to print labels, tube labels, box labels, sample labels, or anything involving the Zebra/label printer. Supports text labels, barcodes, and raw ZPL.

Zebra Label Printing

Printer

• Model: Zebra ZD411, 203 dpi
• Labels: 2" × 1" (406 × 203 dots)
• Connection: Raw ZPL via TCP — 10.119.232.22:9100 (p910nd)

Quick Use

cd skills/zebra-label

# Simple text label
python3 scripts/print_label.py --text "Pol II" --subtext "5.2 µM  2025-01-30"

# With barcode
python3 scripts/print_label.py --text "LF-P042" --subtext "pFastBac-RPB1" --barcode "LF-P042"

# Tube label (rotated for wrapping)
python3 scripts/print_label.py --text "Pol II" --subtext "5 µM" --style tube

# Multiple copies
python3 scripts/print_label.py --text "Buffer A" --copies 5

# Raw ZPL
python3 scripts/print_label.py --zpl "^XA^FO50,50^A0N,40,40^FDHello^FS^XZ"

# From file
python3 scripts/print_label.py --file label.zpl

# Dry run (preview ZPL without printing)
python3 scripts/print_label.py --text "Test" --dry-run

Label Styles

Style	Flag	Use case
standard	default	Flat surfaces: boxes, plates, notebooks
tube	--style tube	1.5 mL tubes — text rotated 90°

Custom ZPL

For complex layouts, build ZPL directly. Key coordinates:

• Print area: 406 × 203 dots (203 dpi)
• ^FO x,y — field origin
• ^A0N,h,w — scalable font, Normal rotation, height, width
• ^BCN,h — Code 128 barcode
• ^PQ n — print quantity

Always use --dry-run first when building custom ZPL to verify layout.

Common Lab Patterns

Protein aliquot: --text "Pol II" --subtext "5.2 µM 50 µL 2025-01-30" --style tube

Plasmid tube: --text "LF-P042" --subtext "pFastBac-RPB1 150 ng/µL" --barcode "LF-P042" --style tube

Storage box: --text "Histones" --subtext "Rack 3, Shelf 2 -80°C"

Buffer bottle: --text "HEPES Buffer" --subtext "25 mM HEPES pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl" --copies 2