Zebra Media Drive Belts for ZE500 Print Engines — Set of 2
Genuine Zebra partZE500 SeriesSet of 2Standard-life drive
The Zebra P1046696-145 is a set of two media drive belts for the Zebra ZE500 Series print engine — the belts that transfer motion from the media drive motor to the rollers that move labels through the engine. Zebra lists them in the ZE500 Series parts catalog under "Media Drive Belts ZE500 Series", quantity 2, for engines fitted with the standard-life media drive system.
They are meant for print-and-apply integrators and maintenance teams who keep ZE500 engines running on production lines, where a stretched or cracked drive belt shows up as label slip, registration drift or a stalled feed.
Before you order: Zebra publishes two versions: P1046696-145 for the standard-life media drive system and P1046696-146 for the extended-life media drive system. Check which drive system your ZE500 has before ordering — send us the engine serial number and we will confirm.
What's in the Box
- 2 × Zebra media drive belts for ZE500 Series (part P1046696-145)
- No tools or installation instructions are listed by Zebra for this part
What It Means in Practice
- Restores positive media drive when belts have stretched, glazed or cracked
- Both belts are supplied together, so they wear evenly after replacement
- Applies to right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) ZE500 engines — the catalog lists the belts for the ZE500 Series without a hand-specific version
What Will Not Work
- ZE500 engines with the extended-life media drive system — those take P1046696-146
- ZE511 / ZE521 engines — Zebra lists separate parts in the ZE511/ZE521 catalog
- Desktop and industrial Zebra printers (ZT, ZD, Xi) — different drive mechanics
- A failing drive motor or worn platen roller — belts will not fix those
Key Features
Set of two
Zebra supplies the media drive belts as a pair for the ZE500 drive system.
Standard-life version
Matches the standard-life media drive system; the extended-life system has its own belt set.
Genuine Zebra part
Listed in Zebra’s own ZE500 Series parts catalog.
Technical Specifications
| Identification |
| Part Number |
P1046696-145 |
| EAN / GTIN |
5704174801795 |
| Brand |
Zebra Technologies |
| Part |
| Description |
Media Drive Belts ZE500 Series |
| Quantity |
2 |
| Drive system |
Standard-life media drive system |
| Extended-life equivalent |
P1046696-146 |
| Compatibility |
| Print engines |
Zebra ZE500 Series (ZE500-4, ZE500-6), RH and LH units |
| Warranty |
| Warranty |
1-Year Warranty (Singular) |
| Manufacturer Term |
Zebra does not publish a separate warranty term for this spare part — claims handled through Singular |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which media drive system my ZE500 has?
The drive system is defined by how the engine was built or last serviced. Send us the serial number or a photo of the drive area and we will check whether you need the standard-life (-145) or extended-life (-146) belts.
Should I replace both belts at once?
Zebra supplies them as a set of two, and replacing them together keeps the drive consistent.
Do the belts fit ZE511 or ZE521?
No — the newer ZE511/ZE521 engines have their own parts list.
Singular Expert Insight · Buyer's Guide
On a print-and-apply line, a tired drive belt costs more in mis-applied labels than the part itself. If your ZE500 has the standard-life drive system, this is the matching belt pair. See our
printer accessories and spare parts for other Zebra service parts.
✓ Buy it if you maintain ZE500 print engines with the standard-life media drive system.
✕ Skip it if your engine has the extended-life drive system, or it is a ZE511/ZE521.
→ Also consider the extended-life belt set (P1046696-146) if your engine was built with it.
Not sure it is the right part? Send us your printer model (and serial number if you have it) and we will confirm the correct part before you order.