From Box to First Label in Three Steps
Plug in and install the driver
The power adapter and USB cable come in the box. Connect both, then install Bixolon's driver for Windows or Mac. It's one download, and there's nothing to pair or configure on a network.
Feed in a fan-fold stack
Set the stack behind the printer, slide the media guides to the label width and push the first label into the rear slot. The printer pulls it in and finds the gap between labels without a manual calibration.
Print from ShipStation
Pick the XF3-40 as your label printer in ShipStation Connect and set the label size to 4" × 6". Labels then print as you create them, one per shipment, with nothing to trim.
Simple to Run, Cheap to Feed
ShipStation Certified
Every component tested for plug-and-play compatibility, no guesswork on drivers or cables.
Built for Fan-Fold
The label stack sits behind the printer and feeds through a rear slot, so there's no spindle to load and no roll running out mid-batch. Fan-fold is also our lowest cost per label, at 2¢ in packs of 2,000 or more.
No Ink. No Toner. Ever.
Direct thermal printing uses heat on coated labels. The only thing you ever buy again is labels, and there are no cartridges to run out of on a busy shipping day.
Which Printer Fits Your Volume?
Bixolon XF3-40
$189.99 one-time
Zebra ZD220
$349.99 one-time
Zebra ZD421
$599.99 one-time
| Printing | |
| Model | Bixolon XF3-40 |
| Print Method | Direct Thermal |
| Print Speed | Up to 6 ips |
| Resolution | 203 dpi |
| Max Label Width | 4.25 in |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Media | |
| Media feed | Fan-fold, fed through a rear media slot |
| Roll labels | Possible with an external label holder |
| Media width | 0.98" – 4.57" (25 – 116 mm) |
| Media thickness | 0.06 – 0.20 mm |
| Media sensors | Transmissive (gap, notch) and reflective (black mark) |
| Loading | Auto paper loading |
| Recommended label | 4" × 6" direct thermal shipping label |
| Connectivity & Software | |
| Interface | USB (Type-B) |
| Windows | Windows 10 and 11, Windows Server 2019 and 2022 |
| macOS | macOS 10.9 or later (CUPS driver) |
| Linux | CUPS driver for Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS and openSUSE |
| Mobile | Not supported |
| Power & Environment | |
| Power supply | External AC/DC adapter: 100–240 V AC in, 24 V DC 2.5 A out |
| Operating conditions | 32 – 104 °F (0 – 40 °C), 10 – 80% RH |
| Print Method | Direct Thermal |
| In the Box | |
| Contents | XF3-40 printer, AC/DC adapter, power cord, USB cable, quick manual. Labels are not included. |
| Warranty | |
| Coverage | 2-year limited warranty, 1 year on the print head |
Complete Your Setup
Labels & Add-Ons That Fit
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the XF3-40 use roll labels or fan-fold labels?
It's designed for fan-fold. The stack sits behind the printer and feeds through a slot in the back, so there's no roll to change in the middle of a batch. Our Fanfold Shipping Labels fit it as they are. Rolls can be fed from an external label holder, but fan-fold is simpler and costs less per label.
Will it work with ShipStation?
Yes. Install the Bixolon driver, then select the XF3-40 in ShipStation Connect and set the label size to 4" × 6". Bixolon also publishes its own step-by-step guide for printing ShipStation labels on this model.
Can I print wirelessly or from my phone?
No. The XF3-40 connects to a Windows, Mac or Linux computer by USB, and it doesn't print from phones or tablets. If you need Bluetooth, the Zebra ZD421 is the printer to look at.
Which label sizes does it print?
Any direct thermal label from 1" to 4.5" wide, up to 39" long. For shipping, use standard 4" × 6" labels, which every major carrier accepts. Smaller sizes work for product, barcode and price labels.
Does it need ink, toner or ribbons?
No. It's a direct thermal printer: the print head heats coated labels to make the image. Labels are the only supply you'll ever need.
What's the warranty?
Bixolon covers the XF3-40 with a 2-year limited warranty, and the print head for 1 year. Returns within 30 days go through us.