Bixolon XD5-40d — 4-inch direct thermal label printer, 203 dpi
203 dpiUp to 178 mm/s108 mm print widthUSB, LAN, Serial, Wi-Fi
The Bixolon XD5-40d (XD5-40DEWK/BEG) is a 4-inch desktop label printer that prints directly on heat-sensitive media, with no ribbon at 203 dpi and up to 178 mm/s, built for shipping and logistics labels, warehouse, retail and product labelling.
This configuration connects via USB, USB Host, Ethernet 10/100, RS-232 serial and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n). It takes media from 15 to 118 mm wide and speaks SLCS plus the BPL-Z (ZPL II) and BPL-E (EPL) emulations, so it can usually replace a Zebra-language desktop printer without rewriting label templates.
Before you order: Direct thermal only — there is no ribbon. You need direct-thermal labels, and the print fades with heat, sunlight and abrasion. For labels that must last for years or outdoors, choose a thermal-transfer model instead.
What's in the Box
- Bixolon XD5-40d printer
- External AC/DC power adapter (24 V DC, 2.5 A) and power cord
- USB cable
- Quick manual
- No labels — order media separately; serial cable is an optional extra
What It Means in Practice
- 203 dpi is the standard resolution for shipping, warehouse and retail labels and 1D/2D barcodes, and it is the faster resolution in this series (up to 178 mm/s).
- Media from 15–118 mm wide on rolls up to 127 mm outside diameter (core 25.4–38.1 mm): gap, black-mark, notch, continuous and fan-fold stock — standard 100 × 150 mm shipping labels fit.
- Connections on this configuration: USB, USB Host, Ethernet 10/100, RS-232 serial and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n). Wireless lets tablets, phones or mobile carts print without a cable to a host PC.
- The BPL-Z (ZPL II) and BPL-E (EPL) emulations accept the label formats most ERP, WMS and courier systems already send to Zebra-language printers; Bixolon also supplies Windows drivers, Label Artist II and BarTender support.
What Will Not Work
- Ribbons — this printer has no ribbon mechanism.
- Media wider than 118 mm (maximum print width 108 mm).
- Peel-and-present or cutting — the peeler and auto cutter are separate options, not included.
- Bluetooth pairing — this configuration has Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth.
Key Features
ZPL / EPL emulation
BPL-Z (ZPL II) and BPL-E (EPL) alongside Bixolon SLCS, so existing Zebra-language label formats usually print without changes.
Easy drop-in loading
Clamshell cover opens fully; adjustable reflective sensor plus transmissive sensor handle gap, black-mark, notch and continuous media.
Wireless connectivity
USB, USB Host, Ethernet 10/100, RS-232 serial and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n).
Fonts and barcodes
Bitmap and scalable fonts, Unicode, downloadable TrueType fonts, all common 1D barcodes plus QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec and MaxiCode.
Technical Specifications
| Identification |
| Part Number |
XD5-40DEWK/BEG |
| EAN / GTIN |
8809521197501 |
| Brand |
Bixolon |
| Model |
XD5-40d (4-inch desktop) |
| Printing |
| Print method |
Direct thermal |
| Resolution |
203 dpi |
| Max print speed |
178 mm/s (7 ips) |
| Max print width |
108 mm |
| Max print length |
1,000 mm |
| Media |
| Media width |
15–118 mm |
| Media thickness |
0.06–0.20 mm |
| Max roll diameter |
127 mm (outside) |
| Core diameter |
25.4–38.1 mm |
| Media types |
Gap, black mark, notch, continuous, fan-fold |
| Sensors |
Transmissive, reflective (adjustable), head open |
| Connectivity |
| Interfaces |
USB, USB Host, Ethernet 10/100, RS-232 serial and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n) |
| Languages |
SLCS, BPL-Z (ZPL II), BPL-E (EPL); BPL-D optional |
| Memory |
64 MB SDRAM / 128 MB Flash (standard) |
| Physical |
| Power |
External adapter: 100–240 V AC in, 24 V DC 2.5 A out |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) |
194 × 248 × 169 mm |
| Weight |
1.89 kg |
| Colour |
Black |
| Operating temperature |
0–40 °C |
| Warranty |
| Warranty |
1-Year Warranty (Singular) |
| Manufacturer Term |
3-year return-to-base warranty per Bixolon Europe (printhead and wear parts limited by usage) — claims handled through Singular |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it replace a Zebra desktop printer?
Usually yes: BPL-Z accepts ZPL II and BPL-E accepts EPL commands. Zebra-only functions (for example Link-OS cloud features) are not emulated, so print one test of each of your label formats first.
Which labels should I order?
Direct-thermal labels 15–118 mm wide on a 25.4–38.1 mm core, roll up to 127 mm. No ribbon is needed.
Does it work with Mac or mobile apps?
Bixolon publishes Windows drivers and SDKs for iOS and Android; the wireless interface on this configuration is what mobile apps use. Tell us your software and we will confirm.
Singular Expert Insight · Buyer's Guide
The XD5-40d makes sense when you want a compact, Zebra-compatible 4-inch printer without paying Zebra prices: the emulation lets it slot into existing label workflows, and Bixolon backs it with a 3-year warranty in Europe. Budget for the right media — we stock
labels and can match the size and material to your application.
✓ Buy it if you print shipping, picking or product labels that are used within weeks and want ZPL/EPL compatibility at a lower cost.
✕ Skip it if labels must survive sunlight, heat, chemicals or years of storage — direct thermal fades; choose the thermal-transfer XD5-40t.
→ Also consider Bixolon XD5-40t (thermal transfer) for durable labels, or the 300 dpi XD5-43 versions for very small text and codes.
Not sure which configuration you need? Tell us your labels, software and how the printer will connect, and we will check before you order.