ZTS600 Industrial Design

Zebra Technologies

Built Like a Tank

An industrial label printer designed for high-volume, high-performance barcode printing.

The ZTS600 is one of Zebra Technologies’ mightiest units. It needed a new design with optimal ergonomics for users to print labels repeatedly. The product was to be integrated into their lineup using their new Global Product Language and made accessible for a range of user environments.

The front bezel was the printer’s most common touchpoint. Designers performed ergonomic tests to determine the ideal angle, parting lines, screen placement, and button layouts for a more functional User Experience. Designers of different heights had to bend and stretch to test how using the product felt at various angles. The feedback inspired concept ideas to be explored as sketches and later evaluated as constructed sketch models. The creative process of building, testing, and refining models resulted in a front bezel design layout that was approachable from above, below, and at eye level.

Beyond the ergonomic design, ideas for aesthetic design details were conceptualized and drawn to capture the ethos with power, functionality, and reliability that Zebra is known for. The words “built like a tank” were often used to describe the ZTS600 machine. We worked with the Client to curate a product with a powerful and reliable-looking figure. These sketches were refined and then developed in 3D CAD with established dimensions and geometries. Internal structural elements were also designed to secure the front bezel to the housing.

Designers carefully curated Color, Material, Finish, and Graphic (CMF&G) details, creating brand guidelines that are applied across the product line. The function and form of the ZTS600 design aligned with the new Zebra Global Product Design Language and were ready to be prepped for manufacturing. A bill of materials was documented that communicated part drawings, assembly methods, and CMF&G with manufacturers for final