Warehouse workers from above

Zebra ZQ521 Mobile Printer

Durable, high-performance mobile printers designed to deliver dependable label and receipt output wherever your teams work — indoors, outdoors, or on the move.

Zebra ZQ521 – Rugged Mobile Printers for Reliable On-the-Go Label & Receipt Printing

The Zebra ZQ511 and ZQ521 mobile printers deliver exceptional durability and print quality for organisations that rely on fast, accurate printing in demanding environments. Built to withstand drops, vibration and extreme conditions, these printers are ideal for field service, transportation, warehousing, public safety, and in-vehicle operations.

With rugged construction, long-lasting battery performance, and simple connectivity to handheld devices or vehicle-mounted computers, the ZQ500 series ensures your workforce stays productive — wherever the job takes them.

Zebra ZQ521 Mobile Printer

Key Features

Ultra-Rugged Design: Engineered to handle harsh conditions, delivering reliable output in the toughest environments.

High-Quality Thermal Printing: Crisp, clear text, barcodes, and receipts suitable for field documentation, ticketing, and asset identification.

Flexible Connectivity Options: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and various accessory options ensure seamless pairing with mobile devices, tablets, and vehicle systems.

Optimised for Mobility: Lightweight, ergonomic design allows easy carrying and use throughout long shifts.

Extended Battery Performance: Powered for all-day operation, enabling uninterrupted workflows during field and on-site tasks.

Enterprise Integration: Works smoothly with your existing applications, mobile computing fleet and backend platforms for streamlined deployment.

The Zebra ZQ521 Mobile Printer

Every TouchStar recommended printer can be specified for the specific needs of your workforce, ensuring the perfect fit for any operation. With decades of expertise, our team will assess your requirements and environment to recommend the ideal printing solution.

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Specification

Standard Features

• Android, Apple iOS, Windows™ Mobile connectivity
• Bluetooth specification 4.1 EDR + LE
• Fast roaming 802.11r supported
• 3250 mAh PowerPrecision+ Battery (retrievable, rechargeable Li-Ion)
• USB On-The-Go ports (with optional strain relief)
• Power Smart Print Technology — anticipates upcoming printing to optimize battery consumption and print speed
• Direct thermal printing of barcodes, text and graphics
• IP54 rated for protection against solid and liquid ingress
• MIL-STD 810G certified for drop and shock
• Tolerance of multiple drops from 6.6 ft./2 m to concrete
• Tumble testing per the IEC68-2-32 spec with 1300 free falls from 3.3’/1m
• Simple easy-to-read LCD with large icons for battery and wireless status
• Dual-sided tear bar which allows for clean tears in either direction (not available with linerless SKUs)
• Supports vertical and horizontal printing
• Printer can be used in any orientation
• Center loading, adjustable for variable roll widths
• “Clamshell” design for easy media loading
• Label odometer
• XML support
• Resident fixed and scalable fonts
• Black mark and gap media sensing using fixed center position sensors (Note: RFID models do not support gap sensing)
• Cold Temperature Compensation mode-optimizes/balances print speeds to allow for better print performance at lower temperatures
• PPME, Mirror, SNMP, WebServer, AirWatch® and Soti Connect and Wavelink Avalanche®
• NTP (Network Time Protocol) support via WiFi
• Sleep mode supported. Wake on Bluetooth, WiFi and Touch
• Real time clock (RTC) supported for time stamp certificates in WLAN SKU’s only
• QR code links to web-based help pages; not displayed on LCD
• Zebra Print Touch simplifies Bluetooth pairing and launches web-based pages with Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled devices
• RFID is available on both the ZQ511 and ZQ521 as separate products

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions

ZQ521:

6.2 in. L x 6.1 in. W x 2.6 in. H
158 mm L x 155 mm W x 67 mm H

Weight with Standard Battery

ZQ521:

1.73lbs/0.79 kgs

Weight with Extended Battery

ZQ521:

1.96lbs/0.89 kgs

Printer Specifications

Operating System

Link-OS™ printer operating system

Resolution

203 dpi resolution (8 dots per mm)

Memory

256MB RAM, 512MB Flash (standard)
8MB RAM, 64MB Flash (user available)

Maximum Print Width

ZQ521: 4.09 in./104mm

Maximum Print Speed

Up to 5 in./127 mm per second (with Draft Mode enabled)

Media Sensors

Black mark and gap media sensing using fixed center position sensors (Note: RFID models do not support gap sensing)

Print Length

Maximum: 39 in.

Power

3250 mAh (nominal), removable, rechargeable PowerPrecision+ Li-Ion battery, with optional
6500 mAh extended battery

Media Characteristics

Minimum/Maximum Media Width

ZQ521:

2.0 in./50.8 mm to 4.45 in./113 mm+1 mm

Maximum Media Roll Size

ZQ521:

2.24 in./57 mm

Maximum Media Thickness

0.0063 in./0.1600 mm for labels and
0.0055 in./0.1397 mm for tag/receipt

Minimum Media Thickness

0.0023 in./0.05842 mm for all media
(ZQ511 Linerless SKU is 0.0021 in./0.05334 mm)

Media Types

Receipt, Gap/Black-mark Label, Tag, Linerless, RFID (Note: ZQ511R/ZQ521R require black mark RFID media and do not support gap sensing)
Note: ZQ511R/ZQ521R require black mark RFID media and do not support gap sensing

Operating Characteristics

Environment

Operating Temperature: -4°F to 131°F/-20°C to 55°C
Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
Charging Temperature: 32°F to 104°F/0°C to 40°C
Cradle Temperature: 32°F to 122°F/0°C to 50°C
Storage Temperature: -22°F to 150°F/-30°C to 66°C
Storage Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing

Agency Approvals

Emissions: FCC Part 15, Subpart B, EN55022 Class-B, EN55024, ICES- 003, EN55032, and EN301489
ENERGY STAR™ certified

Security

FIPS support is available at no cost as a printer OS download. Please contact your Zebra Sales Representative for further information

Programming Languages

CPCL and ZPL™ programming languages
ZBI 2.x™—powerful programming language that lets printers run standalone applications, connect to peripherals, and much more

Options

• RFID encoding
• 6500 mAh PowerPrecision+ Extended Battery (retrievable, rechargeable Li-Ion)
• Linerless printing (with silicone platen roller only)

Barcode Symbologies

CPCL Barcode Symbologies

• Barcode Ratios: 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1
• Linear Barcodes: Code 39, Code 93, UCC/EAN128, Code 128, Codabar (NW-7), Interleaved 2-of-5, UPC-A, UPC-E, 2 and 5 digit add-on, EAN-8, EAN-13, 2 and 5 digit add-on
• 2D Barcodes: PDF417, MicroPDF417, MaxiCode, QR Code, GS1/DataBar™ (RSS) family, Aztec, MSI/Plessey, FIM Postnet, Data Matrix, TLC39

ZPL Barcode Symbologies

• Barcode Ratios: 2:1, 3:1, 5:2, 7:3
• Linear Barcodes: Code 11, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, ISBT-128, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A and UPC-E with EAN 2 or 5 digit extensions, Planet Code, Plessey, POSTNET, Standard 2 of 5, Industrial 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5, LOGMARS, MSI, Codabar, and GS1 DataBar (RSS)
• 2D Barcodes: PDF417, MicroPDF-417, Code 49, TLC39, Maxicode, Codablock, Data Matrix, QR code, Aztec

Font and Character Sets

Standard Fonts

25 bitmapped, 1 smooth, scalable (CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed, contains UFST™ from Agfa Monotype Corporation)

Included in All Models and Part Numbers

Scalable Fonts: Swiss721 (supporting Latin, Cyrillic, Hebrew and Arabic characters)

Additional Asian Fonts Support

Group A: Part Numbers supporting Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India include: Scalable Traditional Chinese Characters: NotoMono, Bitmap: 24×24 MKai, 16×16 New Sans MT, Scalable Korean Characters: NotoMono
Group B: Part Numbers supporting, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, HongKong and Vietnam include: Scalable Traditional Chinese characters: NotoMono and Bitmap 16×16 NewSans MT. Scalable Thai Characters: Angsana, Scalable Vietnamese Characters: SourceCodePro and Bitmap 16×16 Utah
Group C: Part Numbers supporting China include: Scalable Simplified Chinese Characters: Hans and Bitmap 24×24 Msung, 16×16 SimSun
Group J: Part Numbers supporting Japan include: Scalable NotoMono and Square Gothic J MT, Bitmap 16×16, 24X24 Square Gothic J MT

Communication and Interface Capabilities

ZebraNet™ 802.11ac radio with support for:

• WPA and WPA2 with AES encryption
• 802.1x (with WEP, WPA, or WPA2)
• Operation on both the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz frequency bands
• EAP-FAST, EAP-TTLS, EAP-TLS, PEAP, LEAP
• 802.11d, 802.11i, 802.11r
• Simultaneous Bluetooth 5.2 ready¹/802.11ac Multiport Radio
• Wi-Fi Certification
• Fast roaming using Pairwise Master Key (PMK) caching, Opportunistic Key Caching (OKC), EAP Fast Session resumption or 802.11r

Bluetooth 4.1 (Classic and BLE) radio

• Security models 1-4
• “Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad” certified
• Key Bonding

Cabled Communications Specifications

• USB 2.0 full-speed on-the-go interface (12 Mbps)
• Micro-AB Connector with optional strain relief

Product Warranty

The ZQ521 printers are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for a period of 2 (two) years from the date of shipment. (Note: Batteries and Printheads are considered consumables. Zebra Batteries are warranted for one year from the date of shipment and printheads for 6 months from the date of shipment.) For a complete warranty statement, please visit the Product Warranty Exceptions list on
www.zebra.com/warranty

Maintenance Plans

Your printers are crucial for smooth business operations. Unexpected failures can disrupt workflow. Zebra OneCare maintenance plans offer protection against such issues with certified repairs and timely support. Choose from a variety of plans based on printer type, contract length, coverage level and repair turnaround time. Protect your business from unexpected surprises. For more information go to
www.zebra.com/zebraonecare
(Note: Service availability may vary by region.)

Zebra DNA for Partners

Zebra DNA is a suite of software tools that enable Zebra printers to deliver a full lifecycle of exceptional experiences for every kind of user through built-in applications, utilities and tools to get your printer up and running quickly and securely. For more information, please visit
www.zebra.com/zebradna

Footnotes

1. Supports errata fixes for Version 5.2 only. Future upgrades and updates will not support additional functionality.

For optimum print quality and printer performance, use genuine Zebra supplies.
Specifications subject to change without notice.