Label and Ribbon Calculator
Enter your label size and ribbon length to see how many labels each ribbon prints, and how many ribbons and label rolls you need for an order.
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How the Calculator Works
- Ribbon used per label = label height + gap. A 50 mm label with a 3 mm gap uses 53 mm.
- Labels per ribbon = ribbon length ÷ ribbon used per label × labels across.
- Ribbons needed = labels you need ÷ labels per ribbon, rounded up.
- Label rolls needed = labels you need ÷ labels per roll, rounded up.
How many labels does a 300 m ribbon print?
Divide the ribbon length by the label height plus the gap. A 50 mm label with a 3 mm gap uses 53 mm of ribbon, so a 300 m ribbon prints about 5,660 labels in one row, or twice that with two labels across.
What ribbon length does my printer take?
It depends on the printer. For example, the Zebra ZD230 takes a 300 m ribbon, the Zebra ZD621 a 300 m or 74 m ribbon, the Zebra ZT510 a 450 m ribbon and the TSC MH241T a 600 m ribbon. Each printer page on this site lists its ribbon capacity.
Do direct thermal labels need a ribbon?
No. Direct thermal labels darken with heat, so the printer needs no ribbon. They suit shipping and short-life labels. Thermal transfer labels print through a ribbon and last longer.
How wide should the ribbon be?
A little wider than the label, so the whole label is covered, and no wider than the label backing. With two or more labels across, measure across all of them.