NCR 1432-C158-0040 Products

The Zebra ZQ521 RFID is a rugged 4-inch mobile thermal printer that prints and encodes UHF RFID labels on demand, away from a desk. It has a 4.09 in (104 mm) maximum print width, 203 dpi resolution, and an integrated RFID reader/encoder, so a worker can produce a finished, encoded RFID tag at the pallet, vehicle, or bedside. It also prints standard receipts, labels, and barcodes. Zebra's RFID portfolio is the only one that includes mobile printers of this type.

The Zebra ZQ521 RFID supports UHF tags compliant with EPC Gen 2 V2, ISO/IEC 18000-63, and RAIN RFID protocols, and is globally certified for RFID to support multinational deployments. It encodes tags with a minimum pitch of 0.6 in (16 mm), supports multi-vendor chip-based serialization (MCS), and supports block permalocking of user memory compatible with ATA Spec 2000. Its RFID ZPL commands are compatible with existing Zebra RFID printers, so label formats generally transfer without rewriting.

Print width is the main difference: the ZQ521 RFID prints up to 4.09 in (104 mm) wide, while the ZQ511 RFID prints up to 2.83 in (72 mm). The ZQ521 is larger and heavier — 6.2 x 6.1 x 2.6 in and 1.73 lb (0.79 kg), versus 5.9 x 4.7 x 2.4 in and 1.39 lb (0.63 kg) for the ZQ511. RFID capability, ruggedness ratings, battery, connectivity, and software are identical. Choose the ZQ521 for 4-inch pallet and carton labels; choose the ZQ511 when belt-carry weight matters more than label width.

The Zebra ZQ521 RFID is IP54-rated out of the box and MIL-STD 810G certified for drop and shock, tolerating repeated 6.6 ft (2 m) drops to concrete and 1,300 tumbles from 3.3 ft (1 m) per IEC 68-2-32. It operates from -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C). Adding the optional exoskeleton case raises the drop rating to 10 ft (3 m) and the ingress rating to IP65 for extreme-use environments. No separate protective case is required for the standard IP54 rating.

Yes, the Zebra ZQ521 RFID requires black-mark media, because RFID models do not support gap sensing. Media sensing is black-mark only, using fixed center-position sensors, so RFID labels, receipts, and tags must carry a black registration mark. This is the most common specification oversight when ordering supplies for this printer. It accepts media up to 4.45 in (113 mm) wide on rolls up to 2.24 in (57 mm) in diameter, with a maximum print length of 39 in.

The Zebra ZQ521 RFID connects over 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 Classic and Low Energy, and its dual radio runs both simultaneously. It supports Android, Apple iOS, and Windows Mobile, is "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" certified, and supports 802.11r fast roaming. For fleet management, it runs Zebra's Print DNA suite and can be managed through Printer Profile Manager Enterprise or SOTI MobiControl, using an Android mobile computer as a Bluetooth gateway. A secondary Bluetooth channel lets device management run while print jobs continue.

The ZQ521R is the only mobile printer on the market to include on-the-spot UHF RFID encoding, allowing you to print and encode RFID labels on-demand, anywhere. Combined with its military-grade design certified to MIL-STD 810G for drop and shock, plus an IP54 rating, the ZQ521R delivers rugged durability that exceeds standard mobile printers—it's tumble tested to handle 1,300 free falls from 3.3 feet. We offer this printer as the ideal solution for warehouse, logistics, and field service operations requiring simultaneous printing and RFID encoding capabilities.

The ZQ521R supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi with the latest security protocols and Bluetooth 4.1 Classic and Low Energy, enabling blazing-fast and secure connections for your mobile workforce. The dual radio capability allows simultaneous operation of 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1, so your team stays connected whether they're in the warehouse, on the loading dock, or in the field. Visit barcodesinc.com to explore how this connectivity integrates with your existing mobile computer infrastructure.

The ZQ521R features a high-capacity 3,250 mAh PowerPrecision+ battery designed to power your team through even the longest shifts. The printer also includes Zebra's patented Power Smart Print Technology that delivers the exact amount of power required for optimal print quality, while an automatic sleep mode conserves battery life when the printer is not in use. For extended operations or multi-shift deployments, we offer a 4-Slot Power Station available from us that charges up to four printers simultaneously.

The ZQ521R supports tags compatible with UHF EPC Gen 2 V2, ISO/IEC 18000-63, and RAIN RFID protocols, with adaptive encoding technology that simplifies RFID setup and eliminates complex placement guidelines. It includes an integrated RFID reader/encoder, RFID data logging with timestamps for traceability, and job-monitoring tools to track RFID performance in real-time. The printer is globally certified for RFID to support multinational deployments across your supply chain operations.

Yes—the ZQ521R is engineered for the toughest environments with an IP54 rating for protection against solid and liquid ingress, MIL-STD 810G certification for drop and shock, and tolerance of multiple drops from 6.6 feet to concrete. It's also tumble tested per IEC68-2-32 specifications to withstand 1,300 free falls from 3.3 feet, making it the most rugged mobile RFID printer on the market. For maximum protection, we offer an optional exoskeleton case that increases drop testing capability to 10 feet and improves the IP rating to IP65.

The ZQ521R is a 4-inch (104mm) mobile RFID printer optimized for on-demand receipt printing, while we also offer the ZQ511 as a 3-inch (72mm) option if you need a more compact device. Both printers handle a variety of labels including UHF RFID tags, barcodes, text, and graphics with direct thermal printing technology. The printer supports vertical and horizontal printing in any orientation, making it flexible for diverse warehouse labeling applications from pallet-level tagging to asset management.