Zebra ZE500-6 Ribbons & Labels
IndustrialZE500 / ZE511 / ZE521 / PAX Print Engines
The Zebra ZE500-6 is an industrial thermal transfer and direct thermal printer, one of 6 models in the ZE500 / ZE511 / ZE521 / PAX Print Engines range. Media loads as cores of 3", and fanfold stacks are supported too. Ribbons run up to 1,970 ft, 7.1" wide, on a 1" core. They must be wound coated side out. It prints up to 6.6" wide and takes media up to 7.1". That is a wider head than the 4.09" the rest of the ZE500 / ZE511 / ZE521 / PAX Print Engines range carries.
Zebra ZE500-6 media specifications
- Printing technology
- Thermal transfer + Direct thermal
- Maximum print width
- 6.6"
- Maximum media width
- 7.1"
- Roll core sizes
- 3"
- Maximum roll diameter
- No limit — fed from an external unwinder or applicator
- Fanfold media
- Yes
- Ribbon core
- 1"
- Maximum ribbon width
- 7.1"
- Maximum ribbon length
- 1,970 ft (600 m)
- Ribbon ink side
- Coated side out (CSO)
Verified Specifications checked against the manufacturer’s published documentation.
Zebra ZE500-6 — Frequently Asked Questions
What printing method does the Zebra ZE500-6 use?
The Zebra ZE500-6 does both. In thermal transfer mode it prints through a ribbon for durable, long-life labels; in direct thermal mode it prints straight onto heat-sensitive stock with no ribbon at all, which is how most shipping labels are produced.
Which thermal transfer ribbons fit the Zebra ZE500-6?
The Zebra ZE500-6 takes thermal transfer ribbons up to 7.1" wide, up to 1,970 ft (600 m) long, on a 1" core, wound coated side out (CSO). Wax suits coated paper labels, wax-resin handles synthetics and heavier handling, and full resin is the choice for chemical, solvent and outdoor exposure.
Which label sizes can the Zebra ZE500-6 print?
The Zebra ZE500-6 accepts media up to 7.1" wide, with a maximum print width of 6.6". Any narrower label will run as well, so long as the roll core and outside diameter also fit the media bay — width alone is not enough.
Which roll cores and diameters suit the Zebra ZE500-6?
The Zebra ZE500-6 takes rolls on 3" cores. A roll on a larger core will not seat on the spindle, and one over the diameter limit will not let the cover close.
Does the Zebra ZE500-6 take 3-inch core rolls?
Yes — 3" cores are the industrial standard and the Zebra ZE500-6 is built for them, which is what lets it hold the large-diameter rolls that keep reload stops down.
Why won't my label roll fit the Zebra ZE500-6?
Three things stop a roll loading in this printer: the core is not 3". Label width is usually the first thing people check and the least likely culprit — core size is the common one.
Can the Zebra ZE500-6 print on synthetic or outdoor labels?
Yes. Because the Zebra ZE500-6 prints thermal transfer, it can image polypropylene, polyester and other synthetic facestocks that direct thermal printers cannot mark. Pair them with a wax-resin or full resin ribbon; wax will not anchor properly to a synthetic surface.
Where can I buy labels and ribbons for the Zebra ZE500-6 in Canada?
Vantage Labels stocks blank thermal labels and printer ribbons that fit the Zebra ZE500-6, shipped from Canadian stock. Everything listed on this page has been checked against the printer's published media specifications — width, core, roll diameter and ribbon format — rather than matched on the printer's name.
Labels & ribbons that fit the Zebra ZE500-6
See all compatible products in the shop →
Labels 28 products
Fits$101.99 /case$25.50per 1,0004" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$53.99 /case$13.50per 1,000
4" wide — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $149.99.$129.99Current price is: $129.99. /case$26.00per 1,000
4" wide — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$105.99 /case$13.25per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$109.99 /case$9.17per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$167.99 /case$17.50per 1,000
3" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$94.99 /case$23.75per 1,000
4" wide — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $87.99.$84.99Current price is: $84.99. /case$23.61per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $95.99.$89.99Current price is: $89.99. /case$37.50per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $95.99.$89.99Current price is: $89.99. /case$45.00per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $95.99.$89.99Current price is: $89.99. /case$11.25per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- FitsFrom $79.99 /case$20.00per 1,000Select options✓ In stock · Ships from the GTA This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $95.99.$89.99Current price is: $89.99. /case$15.00per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- FitsOriginal price was: $91.99.$89.99Current price is: $89.99. /case$18.75per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$83.99 /case$21.00per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$139.99 /case$7.00per 1,000
3" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$139.99 /case$14.58per 1,000
3" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$177.99 /case$4.45per 1,000
4" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$155.99 /case$3.55per 1,000
3" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$177.99 /case$2.47per 1,000
1.5" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
- Fits$99.99 /case$2.78per 1,000
2" wide, 3" core, 8" OD — within this printer's limits.
Ribbons 6 products
- Likely fits$257.99 /case$10.75per ribbon
Likely fits — ribbon core size not recorded; ribbon ink side not recorded.
- Likely fitsOriginal price was: $281.99.$264.99Current price is: $264.99. /case$11.04per ribbon
Likely fits — ribbon core size not recorded; ribbon ink side not recorded.
- Likely fits$174.99 /case$14.58per ribbon
Likely fits — ribbon core size not recorded; ribbon ink side not recorded.
- Likely fits$149.99 /case$12.50per ribbon
Likely fits — ribbon core size not recorded; ribbon ink side not recorded.
- Likely fits$219.99 /case$18.33per ribbon
Likely fits — ribbon core size not recorded; ribbon ink side not recorded.
- Likely fits$223.99 /case$9.33per ribbon
Likely fits — ribbon core size not recorded; ribbon ink side not recorded.
What won’t fit the Zebra ZE500-6
We check every product against this printer’s published limits, so it’s worth knowing what we deliberately don’t recommend for it — these are the mistakes that cost a return.
Wrong ribbon configuration (core size / ink side) for this printer.
For example: 4.33″ x 243ft Wax Ribbon (Eltron, 36 Ribbons / Case); 4.02″ x 1181ft Wax-Resin Ribbon (Datamax, 24 Ribbons / Case); 4.17″ x 1969ft Wax-Resin Ribbon (Tec, 12 Ribbons / Case) and 10 more.
Other ZE500 / ZE511 / ZE521 / PAX Print Engines models
Different printer? Look it up on the printer index. Unsure about a spec? Contact us — we’ll confirm before you order.