Calibrate the Zebra ZT610 and ZT620: sensors and skipped labels
Set the label and sensor type, position the media sensor and run a manual or automatic calibration so the ZT610 or ZT620 stops skipping labels.
In this guide
Calibration teaches the ZT610 or ZT620 where each label starts and whether a ribbon is loaded. This guide covers the sensor settings, manual and automatic calibration, and what to check when labels still skip or drift. The steps are the same on both models.
When to calibrate
- After you change to labels or ribbon of a different size or type.
- When the printer skips labels or prints across the gap.
- When the print drifts up or down on the label (vertical drift).
- When the printer shows Media Out or Ribbon Out although labels and ribbon are loaded.
- When labels with gaps are treated as continuous labels.
Check the label type and sensor type
The printer can only find the labels if it knows what to look for. Check two settings on the touch display:
- Print › Print Quality › Label Type: Gap/Notch for labels with gaps, notches or holes, Mark for labels with black marks on the back, Continuous for media without any marks.
- Print › Sensors › Sensor Type: TRANSMISSIVE for gaps, notches and holes; REFLECTIVE for black marks.
Zebra's media specifications for gaps are 2–4 mm, 3 mm preferred. Black marks must sit within 1 mm of the inside edge of the media, be 3–11 mm long and more than 11 mm wide. Media outside these values may not calibrate reliably.
Position the media sensor
The transmissive sensor has a lower part that sends a green light and an upper part that receives it. The labels run between them. Zebra says to move the sensor only when the printer cannot find the top of the labels and reports Media Out with labels loaded. With notched or punched labels, the sensor must sit directly under the notch or hole.
- Open the media door and remove the ribbon, so you can see the media path clearly.
- With labels loaded, find the green light shining up from the lower part of the media sensor.
- If needed, turn the gold transmissive sensor adjustment wheel until the light lines up with the notch or hole.
- Reload the ribbon and close the printhead.
Zebra describes no adjustment for the reflective sensor, so use black-mark media that meets the position given above. Also check that the labels touch the inside back wall of the sensor and that the media guide touches the label edge.
Run a manual calibration
Run this after loading new media, or whenever a symptom above appears.
- Load labels and, for thermal transfer, ribbon. Close the printhead.
- On the Home screen, touch Menu, then Print › Sensors › Manual Calibration, then touch Start Calibration.
- Follow every on-screen step exactly as shown, and touch Next to go to the next prompt.
- To stop at any step, press and hold CANCEL.
- When calibration is complete, press PAUSE to leave pause mode and start printing.
The control panel shortcut starts the same calibration: hold PAUSE + FEED + CANCEL together for 2 seconds. The Print wizard (Wizards › Print › Start Print) also calibrates as part of setting up print type and label type.
Set automatic calibration
The printer can calibrate by itself when you switch it on or close the printhead. Set System › Settings › Power Up Action and System › Settings › Head Close Action to one of these values:
| Value | What the printer does |
|---|---|
| CALIBRATE | Adjusts sensor levels and thresholds, measures the label length and feeds to the next label |
| SHORT CAL | Sets the media and gap thresholds without adjusting sensor gain, measures the label length and feeds to the next label |
| LENGTH | Measures the label length with the current sensor values and feeds to the next label |
| FEED | Feeds labels to the first registration point |
| NO MOTION | Does not move the media |
If you often switch between label types, CALIBRATE as Head Close Action saves a manual calibration after each change.
Fix the label position
- Labels stop short of or past the tear bar: adjust Print › Image Adjust › Tear Line Offset (−120 to +120). Lower values move the labels into the printer, higher values move them out.
- Still skipping after calibration: clean the media sensor (blow it clean with air), check the sensor position and the label type, and make sure the label format in your software matches the label size.
- Auto calibration fails: reload media and ribbon, then run a manual calibration. Zebra lists dirty or wrongly positioned sensors and a wrong label type as the usual causes.
For alerts and lights, see ZT610 and ZT620 troubleshooting. First-time loading is in the ZT610 and ZT620 setup guide. More guides: ZT610 and ZT620.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calibrate a Zebra ZT610 with the buttons?
Hold PAUSE, FEED and CANCEL together for 2 seconds. On the touch display, the same calibration is under Print › Sensors › Manual Calibration.
Why does my ZT610 or ZT620 skip every other label?
Usually the printer is not calibrated for the labels, the label type is wrong, or the sensor does not see the gap. Check Label Type and Sensor Type, position the sensor and run a manual calibration.
Do I need to remove the ribbon to calibrate?
To position the sensor, yes: Zebra says to remove the ribbon so you can see the green light. For a manual calibration, follow the on-screen steps exactly as the printer shows them.
Can the ZT610 calibrate automatically?
Yes. Set Power Up Action or Head Close Action under System › Settings to CALIBRATE or SHORT CAL.
Used in this guide
Compatible consumables and accessories for the ZT610.
Compatible ribbons
| Product | Width | Length | Type | Ink side | Core | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 40 mm × 450 m05095BK04045 | 40 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 18,77 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 300 m05095BK06030 | 60 mm | 300 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 18,87 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 4800 Resin Ribbon 80 mm × 450 m04800BK08045 | 80 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 26,12 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 83 mm × 300 m05095BK08330 | 83 mm | 300 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 26,10 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m05095BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 41,78 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2100 Wax Ribbon 102 mm × 450 m02100BK10245 | 102 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 13,15 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2100 Wax Ribbon 106 mm × 450 m02100BK10645 | 106 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 13,66 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 300 m05095BK11030 | 110 mm | 300 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 34,59 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 4800 Resin Ribbon 40 mm × 450 m04800BK04045 | 40 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 13,06 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m05095BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 28,18 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 80 mm × 450 m03200BK08045 | 80 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 18,33 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m05095BK08345 | 83 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 38,98 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m02300BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 9,86 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 102 mm × 450 m02300BK10245 | 102 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 11,30 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5095 Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m05095BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 51,67 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 4800 Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m04800BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 19,59 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 83 mm × 300 m02300BK08330 | 83 mm | 300 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 6,26 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m03200BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 20,37 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 4800 Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m04800BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 35,90 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 60 mm × 300 m02300BK06030 | 60 mm | 300 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 4,52 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m02300BK08345 | 83 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 9,18 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 110 mm × 300 m02300BK11030 | 110 mm | 300 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 8,30 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m02300BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 6,65 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 83 mm × 300 m03200BK08330 | 83 mm | 300 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 12,81 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 110 mm × 300 m02300GT11030 | 110 mm | 300 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 8,72 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 300 m03200BK06030 | 60 mm | 300 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 9,24 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3400 Wax/Resin Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m03400BK08345 | 83 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 15,08 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m02300BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 12,19 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3400 Wax/Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m03400BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 10,88 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 2100 Wax Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m02100BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 14,18 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m03200BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 13,73 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 1600 Wax Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m01600BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 9,28 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 300 m03200BK11030 | 110 mm | 300 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 16,98 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3400 Wax/Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m03400BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 19,98 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m03200BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 25,19 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 5100 Resin Ribbon 40 mm × 450 m05100BK04045 | 40 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 29,71 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Image Lock Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 300 m74776 | 60 mm | 300 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 105,63 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Image Lock Resin Ribbon 80 mm × 300 m74777 | 80 mm | 300 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 140,85 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Resin Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m74702 | 83 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 143,02 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 4800 Resin Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m04800BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 29,06 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5319 Wax Ribbon 102 mm × 450 m05319BK10245 | 102 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 22,97 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Image Lock Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 300 m74917 | 110 mm | 300 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 193,66 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 2300 Wax Ribbon 40 mm × 450 m02300BK04045 | 40 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 4,42 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5100 Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m05100BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 44,56 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 2100 Wax Ribbon 80 mm × 450 m02100BK08045 | 80 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 10,32 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5100 Resin Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m05100BK08345 | 83 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 61,82 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5100 Resin Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m05100BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 66,09 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 102 mm × 450 m03200BK10245 | 102 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 23,35 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5100 Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m05100BK11045 | 110 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 81,70 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 2100 Wax Ribbon 40 mm × 450 m02100BK04045 | 40 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 5,17 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Resin Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m74736 | 60 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 86,16 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 1600 Wax Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m01600BK08345 | 83 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 7,00 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5319 Wax Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m05319BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 20,02 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 3400 Wax/Resin Ribbon 102 mm × 450 m03400BK10245 | 102 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 18,51 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Resin Ribbon 110 mm × 450 m74912 | 110 mm | 450 m | Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 189,53 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 3200 Wax/Resin Ribbon 40 mm × 450 m03200BK04045 | 40 mm | 450 m | Wax/Resin | Outside | 25.4 mm | 9,17 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra 1600 Wax Ribbon 60 mm × 450 m01600BK06045 | 60 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 5,05 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5319 Wax Ribbon 83 mm × 450 m05319BK08345 | 83 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 18,68 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 2100 Wax Ribbon 89 mm × 450 m02100BK08945 | 89 mm | 450 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 11,49 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 5319 Wax Ribbon 110 mm × 300 m05319GD11030 | 110 mm | 300 m | Wax | Outside | 25.4 mm | 74,66 €+VATOut of stock | View |
Compatible labels
| Product | Size (W × H) | Material | Labels / roll | Core | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T76180 | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | Normal Paper | 950 | 76 mm | 22,53 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T800630-205 | 76.2 × 50.8 mm | Normal Paper | 3292 | 76 mm | 28,20 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T White880350-152 | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | Synthetic | 950 | 76 mm | 133,81 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T76051 | 50.8 × 25.4 mm | Normal Paper | 5180 | 76 mm | 19,50 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T3006324 | 57.15 × 31.75 mm | Normal Paper | 5087 | 76 mm | 22,81 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T880114-019 | 38.1 × 19.05 mm | Normal Paper | 6742 | 76 mm | 18,37 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T76054 | 69.85 × 31.75 mm | Normal Paper | 4240 | 76 mm | 24,37 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T76536 | 76.2 × 50.8 mm | Synthetic | 2779 | 76 mm | 121,62 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T3010243 | 20 × 10 mm | Synthetic | 14150 | 76 mm | 49,20 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T76014 | 69.85 × 31.75 mm | Synthetic | 4295 | 76 mm | 100,31 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T76535 | 50.8 × 25.4 mm | Synthetic | 5249 | 76 mm | 79,11 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T76178 | 88.9 × 25.4 mm | Normal Paper | 5180 | 76 mm | 21,03 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T White87539 | 60 × 30 mm | Synthetic | 5000 | 76 mm | 89,94 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T3005091 | 100 × 150 mm | Normal Paper | 1000 | 76 mm | 25,34 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T76175 | 76.2 × 50.8 mm | Normal Paper | 2740 | 76 mm | 18,16 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T880350-050 | 101.6 × 50.8 mm | Synthetic | 2740 | 76 mm | 133,81 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T76173 | 57.15 × 31.75 mm | Normal Paper | 4240 | 76 mm | 15,43 €+VATOut of stock | View |
![]() |
Zebra 8000T Void Matte3006690 | 50.8 × 25.4 mm | Synthetic | 2500 | 76 mm | 99,30 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T3004608 | 76.2 × 57.15 mm | Synthetic | 3010 | 76 mm | 123,70 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T3006326 | 101.6 × 76.2 mm | Normal Paper | 2238 | 76 mm | 37,16 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T3002066 | 76.2 × 76.2 mm | Normal Paper | 2150 | 76 mm | 38,86 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T3006323 | 57.15 × 19.05 mm | Normal Paper | 7995 | 76 mm | 22,81 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T White880350-101 | 101.6 × 101.6 mm | Synthetic | 1432 | 76 mm | 133,81 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000T76060 | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | Normal Paper | 950 | 76 mm | 32,27 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000T3004645 | 100 × 100 mm | Normal Paper | 1670 | 76 mm | 22,53 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000D87809 | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | Thermal Paper | 950 | 76 mm | 28,28 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000D3006307-T | 57 × 32 mm | Thermal Paper | 4470 | 76 mm | 17,79 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000D3005807 | 76.2 × 50.8 mm | Thermal Paper | 3100 | 76 mm | 25,31 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Perform 1000D3007096-T | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | Thermal Paper | 950 | 76 mm | 28,88 €+VATIn stock | |
![]() |
Zebra Z-Select 2000D880170-076 | 101.6 × 76.2 mm | Thermal Paper | 1890 | 76 mm | 42,32 €+VATIn stock |
More ZT610 guides
Send us your model and a short description of the problem. Our team will help you find a solution.

























































































