What is zpl.tools?

zpl.tools renders ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) labels to PNG and PDF without a physical printer. It is for 3PLs, e-commerce shippers, logistics platforms, and anyone who needs to see what a .zpl file prints.

The render engine is written in Rust. The test suite compares its output with real-world label sets from carriers, retailers, and EDI providers. See the test results for the accuracy of each set.

Retailer-scale label packets

Packets from EDI providers routinely run 50+ pages, and a single shipment packet can exceed 1,000 pages. zpl.tools renders a packet in one request, with no page-count limit, at about 1,000 pages per second. See the benchmarks.

Products

• HTTP API — Labelary-compatible endpoints that render ZPL to PNG and PDF, with API-key authentication, no page or request limits, and opt-in diagnostics that report ignored commands and silent defaults. In closed beta, free to join.
• Online ZPL Viewer — paste ZPL and see the rendered label in your browser.
• Desktop Application (coming soon) — open .zpl files locally on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Documentation

• ZPL command reference — per-command syntax, parameters, and examples.
• API integration — quickstart, authentication, error reference, and endpoints.
• Migrate from Labelary — the exact base-URL and header changes for the migration, plus a list of the behavior differences.

Note: ZPL® and ZPL II® are registered trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corporation. zpl.tools is an independent third-party parser and renderer for the ZPL language, not affiliated with or endorsed by Zebra Technologies.