How label printing works
Print PDF sheets or a 50x40 roll on a TSPL/ZPL/EPL/DPL thermal printer.
Label Studio is designed for small stickers or cards used with physical records. First select releases from your private library, then choose a sheet template. The template defines page size, grid, margins, and spacing between label positions. A4 and Letter templates are supported, and only you can access the generated PDF.
Start position is used for partially consumed sheets. A value of 0 means the first label position, 1 means the second, and so on from left to right and top to bottom. If the first three stickers are already used, set start position to 3. This lets you reuse a sheet after a partial print run.
Before creating the file, choose which fields should appear on the label: artist, title, catalog number, BPM, key, storage location, and QR code. The QR code opens the passport for that record; personal notes and storage location are not shown on its public page. If BPM or key values look questionable, edit the card before printing.
Open the PDF in a viewer and check print scaling before using label paper. Disable page fitting if your printer shifts the grid. For a new paper stock, run a test on plain paper and compare it against the sticker sheet under light. Keep jobs under 120 selected releases so the generated file stays manageable.
Printing on a thermal printer
In thermal-printer mode, Label Studio creates a ready-to-send TSPL, ZPL, EPL, or DPL stream in a .prn/.zpl file. Send it to the printer without conversion. The layout targets 50x40 mm labels with a 2 mm gap.
Windows: send the file as RAW through the Xprinter driver, or run `copy /b labels.prn \\PC\printer` / `copy /b labels.zpl \\PC\printer`. macOS/Linux: run `lp -d <printer> -o raw labels.prn` or `lp -d <printer> -o raw labels.zpl`. Do not open raw printer files in a PDF viewer or enable driver scaling.
Before the first run, calibrate the gap sensor with the FEED button or the Xprinter utility. Start with density 8 and speed 4. If output is too dark or too light, adjust density gradually and test with one label.
Choosing the printer language
Choose “Xprinter and compatible (TSPL)” for the XP-422B and most TSPL-compatible POS clones; “Zebra (ZPL)” for Zebra GK/GX/ZD and other ZPL models; “Older Zebra, Godex, Argox (EPL)” for the LP2844 and devices whose manual lists EPL/EPL2; or “Honeywell / Datamax (DPL)” for Datamax E/M/I-Class and compatible Honeywell DPL printers.
If the model is unclear, check its manual for the language name or send one diagnostic label before a larger run. ZPL is verified with the Labelary software renderer. EPL and DPL are checked against their specifications and automated tests, but physical output on corresponding hardware is not yet confirmed.
The last selected language is saved in this browser. Choose 203 or 300 dpi separately for ZPL, matching the printhead resolution.
Direct printing with WebUSB
In Chrome or Edge on a computer, select a release and press “Create and print”: the browser confirms the USB printer first, then creates the .prn/.zpl and sends it to the device immediately. A single previously authorized printer is reused automatically; press “Choose another printer” to switch. Normal file generation and download remain available as a fallback. Before the first production print, use “Print USB test label”, then check FEED and calibrate the gap sensor if needed.
On Android, connect the printer through USB OTG and open DJ Crate in Chrome. Android may show an additional system USB permission prompt. Safari and Firefox do not expose WebUSB: download the .prn and send it another way. Direct USB printing is unavailable on iPhone/iPad; use PDF with AirPrint or move the .prn to a computer.
Windows: if the browser sees the device but cannot open its interface, install WinUSB for the printer USB interface with Zadig: Options → List All Devices, select the printer itself, then Replace Driver. Do not select another USB device. While WinUSB is active, the regular driver and print queue for that interface may stop working; reinstall the manufacturer's driver to restore them. On macOS and Linux, closing other applications that hold the printer and granting browser access is usually enough.