Zebra · Industrial Printers

Zebra 160S Industrial Thermal Label Printer

$399.99$2,749.99
203 DPI Resolution
6 ips Print Speed
6" Print Width
4x6 or wider DT or TT Labels
Not sure which connection type you need?

USB is one computer next to the printer. Ethernet is for more than one computer printing to the same printer over a network cable. Wi-Fi is the same shared printer when you do not want to run a cable: one printer for several desks, or a printer sitting in a corner of the warehouse.

Not sure which print method you need?

Direct thermal is the usual choice for shipping labels: heat darkens the label, no ribbon to buy. Choose thermal transfer if you need more durable labels that will not fade as fast, and you will load ribbon.

Not sure which warranty length you need?

If this printer is for occasional personal shipping, 2 years is plenty. For steady weekly or daily business volume, the extended warranty adds peace of mind and typically pays for itself with one avoided repair.

Not sure which support package you need?

The included session covers one computer: we log in, install the driver, get a test print, and set your app to print. Choose Advance Support for a harder setup, custom software, or work after the first 30 days. Advance Support is $44.99 per device.

Volume pricing applies when you order multiple printers.

Quantity Price per printer Volume discount You pay per unit
1 printer $399.99 None $399.99
2–4 printers $399.99 5% off $379.99
5–9 printers $399.99 7% off $371.99
10–19 printers $399.99 9% off $363.99
20+ printers $399.99 12% off $351.99

Packs and add-ons are added via Add to cart.

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Contact us

Call (312) 416-1518, Mon–Fri 10am–6pm CST, or send this note. We reply within one business day.

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Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm CST · (312) 416-1518 · Contact · Ask TPO Buddy

Zebra 160S Industrial Thermal Label P...
Est. price $399.99


About this printer

A 4-inch thermal desk for shipping labels

Refurbished thermal label printer on a shipping desk

The 160S printer prints labels up to 6″-wide (152.40mm), making it an ideal choice for printing AIAG, ODETTE or other compliance labels; product packaging labels; inventory labels for the boxes in your warehouse; or logistics management and automated shipping labels.

In addition, the 160S printer features both reflective and transmissive media sensors. This provides compatibility with applications that require either black mark sensing or web sensing capabilities. No matter what type of media you use, you are assured of a properly aligned bar code label.

Enhanced Electronics, Value-Line Performance As with other Value-Line printers, the 160S printer incorporates a 32-bit microprocessor that allows you to format while printing and enables you to print more labels in less time. In addition, the 160S features a faster clock speed, which aids in processing 6″-wide (152.40mm) label formats, and a 0-wait state memory that reduces processing lag time. Combine this with the efficiency of ZPL II®, and the 160S provides fast first-label-out and strong processing performance on both short- and long-run applications.

Six-Inch Print Width Provides Increased Productivity Featuring a maximum print width of 6.3″ (160mm), the 160S printer can readily print common 6″ x 4″ applications without the need to rotate the label or the bar code.

Additionally, productivity is increased with higher volume label rolls. For example, with a paper stock such as Zebra’s Trans Matte 2000(tm), an 8″ diameter roll of 6″ x 4″ (152.4mm x 101.6mm) labels holds 48% more labels than an 8″ (203.2mm) roll of 4″ x 6″ (101.6mm x 152.4mm). This allows you to label 48% more cartons with a single roll of media before incurring down time for reloading media.

Flexible Options to Suit Your Requirements If you want to print labels in high volumes, you can choose an optional internal rewind feature that allows you to wind a full 8″ (203.2mm) roll of labels within the printer so they are free from dirt and dust.

For applications requiring immediate label application, you can select the peel-off option which quickly dispenses printed labels for immediate use and rewinds spent label liner for easy storage and efficient disposal.

Numerous Symbologies and Font Options With the 160S printer, you can print all popular bar code symbologies, as well as newer two-dimensional codes, such as PDF417, Maxicode and Code 49, provided as standard features. These two-dimentional codes allow you to store larger amounts of data in a smaller amount of space.

To accommodate common printing requirements, the 160S printer includes one standard scalable font, CG Triumverate(tm) Bold Condensed, and seven bit-mapped fonts expandable up to 10 times, height and width independent.

The 160S printer also includes a new internal font scaling routine, Universal Font Scaling Technology®(UFST). UFST provides enhanced compatibility with popular TrueType fonts, installed in many Windows applications. You can easily load Windows fonts into the 160S printer using ZTools for Windows. These TrueType fonts increase your creative options and can enhance the finished look of your label.

These printers are used and approved by all major shipping companies and postage softwares, including: UPS, FEDEX, DHL, USPS, Stamps.com, and Endicia.

Zebra 160S Printer Specifications

  • Product Condition: Tested and Refurbished
  • Processor: Fast 32 bit processing
  • Interface: Parallel, Ethernet, USB and 9 Pin serial.
  • Print Width: 6.3
  • Resolution: 203 dpi
  • Maximum Print Speed : 8.0″ (203mm) per second in 1″ increments
  • Construction: Steel frame and cabinet with metal interior components
  • Barcode: Linear – Code 11, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128 with subsets A/B/C and UCC Case Codes, ISBT-128, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC and EAN 2 or 5 digit extensions, Plessey, Postnet, Standard 2-of-5, Industrial 2-of-5, Interleaved 2-of-5, Logmars, MSI, Codabar, RSS
  • Intake test, then a second test before it ships
  • Connection options shown at checkout when this model offers them
  • 2-year warranty included; 3, 4, and 5-year options at checkout
  • Free label design software and free install support included

Specifications

Everything you need to know, no manual required

Metric What It Means Your Advantage
Print methodBoth Can run direct thermal or thermal transfer depending on media and options. Match media (and ribbon, if TT) to this method.
Resolution203 DPI Print density. 203 dpi is standard shipping; 300/600 dpi is finer text and barcodes. Higher DPI costs speed on Datamax I-46xx class machines.
Print speed6 ips How fast the printer can move media (OEM max). Industrial 10–12 ips desks outrun a 4 ips LP2844 on bulk batches.
Max print width6" Widest media this model can print. 4″ class takes standard 4×6 shipping labels.
Print languageZPL Command language the host/app speaks (ZPL, EPL, DPL, IPL, ESC/POS, DYMO, …). Match this to your software — or call (312) 416-1518.
Typical media4x6 or wider DT or TT Stock this class is built for. Do not load DYMO cassettes in a Zebra, or 4×6 rolls in a 2-inch/receipt printer.
Media width6″-class web — 4×6 still fits Label + liner width this model can track (OEM). Wider than 4″. Standard 4×6 shipping labels still fit.
Max roll OD8.0″ (203 mm) OD on a 3″ (76 mm) ID core Largest media roll that fits the cabinet (OEM). Industrial 8″ OD stock — not a desktop 5″ roll.
Core3″ industrial Cardboard tube the OEM lists for this printer. TPO 3″ industrial 4×6 packs fit this class. 1″ desktop ZP-450 rolls do not.
Media sensorsGap (transmissive) and black mark (reflective) How the printer finds the gap or black mark. Die-cut 4×6 uses the gap sensor; black-mark stock uses the reflective sensor.
Ribbon (TT)Industrial TT ribbon, 1″ core (6″ Zebra class) Thermal-transfer ribbon from the OEM sheet. Needed only in thermal-transfer mode. Direct-thermal 4×6 shipping labels skip ribbon.
Warranty2-year included Parts and labor on refurbished printers from TPO. Optional 3-year add-on SKU at checkout. Not a 5-year upgrade.


Software Compatibility

Will it work with the software you already use?

Pick your software to confirm this printer before you buy. Answers come from public specs, unknown means call us.

Popular picks

Compatible software, apps & sites

  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • FedEx
  • The UPS Store
  • USPS
  • DHL
  • Best Buy
  • Home Depot
  • Costco
  • ShipMonk
  • Amtrak

Compatibility checker

Select your software type, then your app

Label design software included

Layout tools ship with the printer, no extra design subscription to start shipping.

2-year parts-and-labor warranty

Standard coverage on printers, with a 3-year extended option at checkout.

We stay on the line for setup

Phone, email, or remote-desktop help for the life of the printer, Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm CST.

Model Comparison

Not sure the Zebra 160S Industrial Thermal Label Printer is the right fit?

Here's how it stacks up against close alternatives when compare products are set on this SKU.

Compare with another printer — pick a model you already have, such as an LP2844 next to a ZP-450.

Currently ViewingZebra 160S Industrial Thermal Label Printer Zebra 160S Industrial Thermal Label Printer $399.99 Zebra ZP-450 Thermal Label Printer Zebra ZP-450 Thermal Label Printer $289.99 Zebra GK-420D Direct Thermal Label Printer GK420D + Driver & Manual Zebra GK-420D Direct Thermal Label Printer GK420D + Driver & Manual $354.99
Print Method BothDirect ThermalDirect Thermal
Best For ?Occasional shipping, budget setupsLabels that need to last outdoors or in cold storage
Print Speed 6 ips5 ips5 ips
Connectivity USB · Parallel · Serial · Ethernet · Wi-FiUSB USB · Ethernet · Wi-Fi
Ribbon Required? × No× No✓ For transfer mode
Warranty 2-year included2-year included2-year included
Viewing This ModelView Zebra ZP-450 Thermal ...View Zebra GK-420D Direct ...

Drivers

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20+ yrs In the thermal printer business

Accessories & supplies

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FAQ

Questions people ask before buying

Quick answers before you add to cart.

Every unit passes a full functional test on intake, print quality, connectivity, and mechanical parts, then a second test right before it's packed and shipped. You'll get an intake report noting exactly what was checked. This isn't a "used, as-is" listing.