The S4M, which changed command language with firmware
The S4M is a 4-inch industrial printer whose sales Zebra ended on July 31, 2013. Service and support ended on October 31, 2016, and the manufacturer-designated successor is the ZT231.
The S4M runs one command language among Zebra ZPL, Eltron EPL, Datamax APL-D, and Intermec APL-I, depending on the firmware chosen when ordering. If another language is needed, download and load that firmware; ignore any error messages on the display or lit indicators during loading. The Korean and English user guides with the firmware switching procedure are on the S4M downloads page. After loading, turn the power on again and load the default settings to return to normal operation.
Direct thermal standard, thermal transfer optional
The standard model prints on direct thermal labels without a ribbon, and only S4M units with the thermal transfer option take a ribbon. Ribbon width is 51-109 mm and must be wider than the label. If labels are narrower than 51 mm, narrower ribbons also fit, but run a test print with the actual labels before use.
Speed is chosen from five steps, 51, 76, 102, 127, and 152 mm/s (2-6 ips), the same for 203 dpi and 300 dpi. Print width is about 104 mm (4.1 in) for both resolutions.
Fixed sensor and notch position
The transmissive sensor that reads gaps is fixed 11 mm from the inner edge of the media and cannot be moved. For tags located by notches or holes, the notch center must fall between 3.8 and 57 mm from the inner edge.
The gap between labels is 2-4 mm, 3 mm reference. Label length is accepted from 17.8 mm in tear-off mode or 12.7 mm in peel mode up to 991 mm.
Figures to check when moving to the ZT231
The ZT231 prints up to 305 mm/s at 203 dpi, twice as fast as the S4M's 152 mm/s, and the base model weighs 9.1 kg, lighter than the S4M (12.4 kg). The ZT231 takes ribbons from 40 mm wide, so ribbons narrower than 51 mm that were tested and used on the S4M also fall within the ZT231 specification if they are 40 mm wide or more.
An S4M running EPL, APL-D, or APL-I firmware was equipment whose host sent layouts in commands other than ZPL, so before switching to the ZT231, test-print a few of the layouts you used on the new model.
