Warehouse glossary

ZPL

ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) is the command language a system uses to tell a Zebra printer what to print on a label: text, barcodes, QR codes, lines and, on RFID printers, the data written to the chip.

Also known as
Zebra Programming Language · ZPL II

Reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Business in a Wave team

Its use in the warehouse

A ZPL label is text: each command starts with a caret (^) and describes a field, its position and its content, such as ^FO50,50^BCN,100^FDP-1001^FS for a barcode. Because the printer interprets the text, the system does not need special drivers, and the label prints the same way on any Zebra printer with ZPL at the same resolution.

How Chainlink WMS applies it

In Chainlink WMS, label templates are designed with a preview and printed from the web or the handheld on Zebra printers that use ZPL, by network or USB; Chainlink Wizard sets up the printer. In Professional and Enterprise, the RFID printer writes the EPC as it prints the label.

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Your instance is created when sign-up is complete, ready to set up your warehouse.

Subscribe online Talk to sales

Essentials and Professional are purchased online by card: the first month and the implementation are charged at subscription. 30-day trial by invitation: request it from sales.