Bixolon barcode label printers South Africa
Bixolon Barcode Label Printers as a leader in the global speciality printer market, BIXOLON started life as the Samsung Mini Printer Division in the 1990’s before its buy out in 2002 to form the company it is today. Providing a wide array of innovative and advanced POS Receipt, Label and Mobile printer technologies for the Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Banking, Logistics markets and more. BIXOLON’s comprehensive range of Thermal, Impact and Inkjet printers, along with intuitive printer software offer extensive customization capabilities.
BIXOLON’s range of label printers provides the crisp and clean lines required of QR Code printers and barcode printers. The labels can be easily read by the devices that process the data. Compatible with popular operating platforms and supported by a sophisticated range of dedicated drivers to provide simple integration into your current system. BIXOLON’s printing label solutions are feature packed, high quality solutions that keep on going. For more information on the differences between Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer printers – visit “Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal Print Methods“
Bixolon Desktop Label Printers (XD3 & XD5 Series)
Bixolon XD3-40DEK
R3,888.15 incl vat
- Print Method: Direct Thermal
- Max Print Width: 110mm
- Print Speed: 5ips
- Interface Ports: USB USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XD3-40DEK/PNC
- Included Software: Label Artist-II, Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: none
Bixolon XD3-40TEK
R4,140.00 incl vat
- Print Method: Thermal Transfer
- Max Print Width: 110mm
- Print Speed: 5ips
- Interface Ports: USB + USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XD3-40TEK/PNC
- Included Software: Label Artist-II Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: 300 meters
Bixolon XD5-40DEK
R4,148.05 incl vat
- Print Method: Direct Thermal
- Max Print Width: 110mm
- Print Speed: 6ips
- Interface Ports: USB USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XD5-40DEK
- Included Software: Label Artist-II, Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: None
Bixolon XD5-40TEK
R4,376.90 incl vat
- Print Method: Thermal Transfer
- Max Print Width: 110mm
- Print Speed: 6ips
- Interface Ports: USB USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XD5-40TEK
- Included Software: Label Artist-II, Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: 300 meters
Bixolon Industrial Label Printers (XT2, XT3 & XT5 Series)
Bixolon XT2-40
POR
- Print Method: Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal
- Max Print Width: 108mm
- Print Speed: 6ips
- Interface Ports: USB + USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XT2-40/STD
- Included Software: Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: 450 meters
- Display: Yes
Bixolon XT3-40
POR
- Print Method: Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal
- Max Print Width: 108mm
- Print Speed: 8ips
- Interface Ports: USB + USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XT3-40
- Included Software: Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: 450 meters
- Display: Yes
Bixolon XT5-40
POR
- Print Method: Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal
- Max Print Width: 108mm
- Print Speed: 14ips
- Interface Ports: USB + USBHOST + Serial + Ethernet
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Product Brand: Bixolon
- MPN: XT5-40S/PNC
- Included Software: Label Artist-II, Bartender UL and Drivers
- Ribbon Length: 450 meters
- Display: Yes
Upgrade Your Business Operations with Bixolon Barcode Label Printers
In fast-paced retail, warehousing, logistics, and healthcare environments, labeling delays and print errors mean lost revenue. Bixolon Label Printers—originally born out of Samsung’s Mini Printer Division—deliver industrial-grade performance, razor-sharp barcode legibility, and seamless system integration for South African businesses.
Whether you need quick-dispatch courier shipping labels or heavy-duty industrial asset tagging, Bixolon provides an end-to-end printing solution backed by local South African warranties and nationwide support.
Why Choose Bixolon Barcode Label Printers?
- Proven Heritage & Reliability: Trusted globally across retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, and healthcare.
- Plug-and-Play Compatibility: Fully compatible with standard platforms (ZPL, EPL, SLCS) and bundled with premium software like Label Artist-II™ and BarTender UL.
- Flexible Connections: Standard USB, Serial, and Ethernet connectivity out-of-the-box on most units.
- Nationwide Local Support: 2-year warranties with local repairs, spare parts, and fast dispatch across South Africa.
Find the Perfect Bixolon Model for Your Workflow
1. Bixolon XD3 Series (Entry-Level Compact Desktop)
Ideal for e-commerce, small retail shops, and office shipping stations.
- Bixolon XD3-40D (Direct Thermal):
- Print Speed: 5 inches per second (ips) | Print Width: 110mm
- Best For: High-speed short-life labels like standard courier waybills, price tags, and shipping slips. No ribbons required.
- Bixolon XD3-40T (Thermal Transfer):
- Print Speed: 5 ips | Ribbon Capacity: Up to 300 meters
- Best For: Smudge-resistant, long-lasting product tags, QR codes, and warehouse shelf labels.
2. Bixolon XD5 Series (High-Performance Desktop)
Built for busier retail hubs, healthcare tracking, and mid-volume dispatch.
- Bixolon XD5-40D / XD5-40T:
- Print Speed: Faster 6 ips output
- Key Features: Advanced gap/black mark sensors, USB Host port, expandable peeler and cutter options.
3. Bixolon XT Series (Heavy-Duty Industrial Printers)
Designed for continuous, high-volume production lines and logistics hubs.
- Bixolon XT2-40 & XT3-40: Industrial metal construction with standard LCD displays and support for 450-meter thermal ribbons.
- Bixolon XT5-40: High-speed flagship printing up to 14 ips. Built for harsh environments demanding 24/7 reliability.
Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | Direct Thermal (DT) | Thermal Transfer (TT) |
| Ribbon Required? | No (Uses heat-sensitive paper) | Yes (Uses wax, resin, or wax-resin ribbons) |
| Durability | Short to medium-term | Long-term (Heat, chemical & scratch resistant) |
| Typical Use Case | Courier labels, receipts, temporary tags | Asset tracking, outer carton labels, chemical tags |
Streamline Your Labeling Today
Ready to optimize your inventory, dispatch, and barcode tracking? Bixolon printers offer low total cost of ownership and minimal downtime.
Get in touch with an official distributor today to request a quote or discuss bulk supply for your business.
Bixolon Barcode Label Printers General & Buying Questions
Q: What is the history of Bixolon?
Bixolon originated as the Samsung Mini Printer Division in the 1990s before spinning off in 2002 into an independent global leader in POS, mobile, and barcode label printing solutions.
Q: Should I choose Direct Thermal (DT) or Thermal Transfer (TT)?
- Direct Thermal (e.g., XD3-40D, XD5-40D): Uses heat-sensitive paper labels and requires no ink or ribbon. Ideal for short-life applications like courier waybills, dispatch notes, and retail receipts.
- Thermal Transfer (e.g., XD3-40T, XD5-40T, XT Series): Uses a ribbon (wax, resin, or wax-resin) to melt ink onto paper or synthetic labels. Ideal for long-lasting, scratch-resistant, or chemical-resistant labels like warehouse shelf tags, asset tracking, and outdoor labeling.
Q: What is the standard local warranty on Bixolon printers?
Bixolon printers come with a 2-year local manufacturer warranty covering hardware and manufacturing defects, supported through local repair facilities in South Africa.
Bixolon Barcode Label Printers Software, Drivers & Integration
Q: What software comes bundled with Bixolon label printers?
Most models ship with drivers for Windows, macOS, and Linux, along with Label Artist-II™ (Bixolon’s proprietary design tool) and BarTender UltraLite for creating custom 1D/2D barcodes, text layout, and logo placement.
Q: Which printer command languages do Bixolon printers emulate?
Bixolon devices feature auto-sensing firmware supporting:
- SLCS™ (Bixolon native language)
- BPL-Z™ (Zebra ZPL / ZPL II emulation)
- BPL-E™ (Zebra EPL / EPL II emulation)
This ensures seamless drop-in replacement for existing Zebra or legacy label printing setups without altering your current software backend.
Q: Which interface connections come standard?
Desktop units (XD3 and XD5 series) typically offer standard USB, USB Host, Serial, and Ethernet (LAN) connectivity. Industrial units (XT series) also include expanded USB Host ports, with optional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth expansion modules available on select models.
Media, Ribbons & Maintenance
Q: What size ribbons do Bixolon printers take?
- Desktop Series (XD3-40T / XD5-40T): Standard 300-meter ribbon rolls on a 25mm (1-inch) core.
- Industrial Series (XT2 / XT3 / XT5): Heavy-duty 450-meter ribbon rolls on a 25mm (1-inch) core.
Q: How do I calibrate label gap and black mark sensors?
If the printer skips labels or feeds incorrectly, run a manual gap/black mark sensor calibration using the Bixolon Unified Label Utility tool on PC, or perform a button-feed calibration sequence directly on the printer panel.
Q: How often should I clean the thermal printhead?
Clean the printhead every time you replace a roll of thermal transfer ribbon (or every 2–3 rolls of direct thermal labels) using specialized thermal printhead cleaning pens or 99% isopropyl alcohol wipes to maintain print quality and prevent premature element burn-out.
