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Label Design Software — ZebraDesigner Pro and BarTender for Barcode and Label Printing
Label design software lets you create, edit, and print labels with barcodes, QR codes, variable text, and database-connected data — all at a standard that basic word processors or spreadsheets cannot reliably achieve. POS Plaza stocks two professional label software platforms: ZebraDesigner Pro from Zebra Technologies and BarTender from Seagull Scientific, with licences available from $399 inc GST. Both are perpetual licence products (you buy once, you own it — no annual subscription required for the versions listed). Same-day dispatch from our Sydney warehouse.
ZebraDesigner Pro V2 — $425.00 inc GST
ZebraDesigner Pro is Zebra Technologies' own label design application, built specifically for use with Zebra label printers (ZD, ZT, and ZQ series). It outputs in ZPL (Zebra Programming Language), the native command set that all Zebra printers understand — meaning labels print exactly as designed with no translation errors. Features include a drag-and-drop label designer, support for all major barcode symbologies (Code 128, Code 39, GS1-128, QR, DataMatrix, EAN, UPC, and more), serial number and counter fields, and database connectivity to pull product data directly from CSV or ODBC sources. Suitable for retail price labels, warehouse pick labels, compliance labels, and shipping labels. 1-printer licence. $425.00 inc GST.
If you have a Zebra printer and need reliable, professional labels without the complexity of an enterprise platform, ZebraDesigner Pro V2 is the right starting point. For Zebra label printers compatible with this software, see our Zebra Label Printers range.
BarTender Label Software — Basic, Automation and Enterprise editions
BarTender by Seagull Scientific is the most widely deployed label software platform in the world, used in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail operations. Unlike ZebraDesigner — which is Zebra-specific — BarTender works with virtually any label printer, including Zebra, Honeywell, SATO, TSC, Brother, Citizen, Epson, and others. It supports the same barcode symbologies as ZebraDesigner plus advanced features including RFID encoding, database integration (SQL, ODBC, Excel, Oracle, SAP), form-based data entry, print history and audit trails, and web-based printing.
BarTender 2016 Basic — 1 Printer — $399.00 inc GST: Entry-level BarTender licence for a single printer. Covers label design, barcode creation, and basic data import. Suited to small businesses or single workstations printing one type of label on one printer — retail price labels, basic product labels, simple compliance labels.
BarTender 2016 Automation — 3 Printers — $790.90 inc GST: Steps up to automated printing workflows across up to 3 printers. Adds trigger-based printing (automatically print when a database record is created or updated), integration with ERP and WMS systems, and print scheduling. Suited to small-to-medium distribution and manufacturing operations where labels are triggered by system events rather than manually printed one at a time.
BarTender 2019 Professional — 1 Printer — $1,299.00 inc GST: The newer 2019 release at Professional tier, offering the same core design and automation features with the updated interface and compatibility improvements introduced in the 2019 version. Suited to operations that need up-to-date software with current printer driver support.
BarTender 2016 Enterprise Automation — 3 Printers — $1,699.00 inc GST: The top-tier BarTender edition. Adds browser-based printing (users print labels from any device without installing BarTender locally), a centralised label repository for managing and distributing label templates across multiple sites, full audit trail and revision history for regulated industries (food, pharmaceutical, medical devices), and SAP integration. Suited to multi-site enterprises, regulated manufacturing, and any operation where label integrity and traceability are compliance requirements.
Which label software do you need?
- You have a Zebra printer and need reliable professional labels: ZebraDesigner Pro V2 ($425). Native ZPL output, Zebra-optimised, no compatibility issues.
- You have a mixed printer fleet or a non-Zebra printer: BarTender Basic ($399) is the entry point and works with virtually any label printer.
- You need labels triggered by your ERP, WMS, or database: BarTender Automation ($790.90) adds automated print triggers and multi-printer support.
- You run a multi-site operation or operate in a regulated industry (food, pharma, medical): BarTender Enterprise Automation ($1,699) adds web printing, centralised management, and compliance audit trail.
Software pricing
- ZebraDesigner Pro V2 — 1 printer: $425.00 inc GST
- BarTender 2016 Basic — 1 printer: $399.00 inc GST
- BarTender 2016 Automation — 3 printers: $790.90 inc GST
- BarTender 2019 Professional — 1 printer: $1,299.00 inc GST
- BarTender 2016 Enterprise Automation — 3 printers: $1,699.00 inc GST
All prices inc GST. Prices listed were accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice — please check the individual product page for current pricing. Call 1300 115 808 for volume licensing, additional printer seats, or help choosing the right edition for your operation.
Frequently asked questions — label design software
Q: Do I need special software to print labels from a Zebra printer?
A: Not always — many thermal label printers can be driven directly from Windows as a standard printer, and basic labels can be designed in Word or a simple design tool. However, professional label software becomes important when you need barcode accuracy (ensuring the barcode scans correctly every time), database-connected printing (pulling product names, SKUs, and prices from a spreadsheet or ERP), variable serial numbers or counters, or precise label sizing and template management across multiple label types. For production environments, purpose-built label software prevents costly errors.
Q: What is the difference between ZebraDesigner and BarTender?
A: ZebraDesigner is made by Zebra Technologies and designed specifically for Zebra printers. It outputs in ZPL (Zebra Programming Language), Zebra's native print language, and integrates tightly with Zebra printer features. BarTender is made by Seagull Scientific and works with virtually any label printer brand. BarTender has a broader feature set at higher tiers (web printing, centralised label management, deeper ERP integration) and is the more common choice in enterprise and multi-brand environments. If you have a Zebra printer and a relatively straightforward label task, ZebraDesigner Pro is a clean, well-priced option. If you have a mixed printer fleet or need enterprise-level automation, BarTender is the stronger platform.
Q: Is there a free label design software for Zebra printers?
A: Yes — Zebra offers ZebraDesigner Essentials as a free download for basic label design on Zebra printers. It supports standard barcode types and simple label layouts. ZebraDesigner Pro (the paid version stocked here at $425) adds database connectivity, more barcode symbologies, advanced formatting, and serial counter fields that are not available in the free Essentials version. If your label requirements are simple and static, start with the free Essentials version to test your printer; upgrade to Pro when you need variable data or database connectivity.
Q: Will BarTender work with my non-Zebra label printer?
A: Yes. BarTender supports a very wide range of label printer brands and models, including Zebra, Honeywell, SATO, TSC, Brother, Citizen, Epson, Datamax, and many others. During installation you select your printer model from the supported device list. If you are unsure whether your specific printer model is supported, call us on 1300 115 808 and we can check the BarTender compatibility list before you purchase.
Q: Are these perpetual licences or subscriptions?
A: The products listed on this page are perpetual licences — you buy once and own the software with no ongoing subscription fee required to continue using it. Note that newer BarTender versions (post-2019) moved to a subscription licensing model for new purchases. The 2016 and 2019 perpetual licence versions stocked here represent the last generation of buy-once BarTender licensing, which is why they remain popular with businesses that prefer a one-time cost.