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LabelForge
What it is
LabelForge is a free desktop app for designing labels visually and printing ZPL to Zebra printers. Its editor shows a live preview and lets users select, move, resize, and snap items to a grid without editing JSON. Templates support text, lines, boxes, and barcodes including Code128, Code39, Code93, EAN-13, QR codes, and DataMatrix. For variable-data printing, users can import a CSV for one label per row or scan barcodes to trigger printing. Connections include network printers on raw port 9100, Windows printers by name, and USB devices on Linux or Mac. ZPL is tested on real hardware, including the listed Zebra ZD410; TSPL, EPL, CPCL, and EZPL are experimental and unverified on physical printers. Other software can send jobs through an HTTP server, a watched folder of JSON jobs, or the command line. The HTTP server has health, template-listing, and print endpoints, with optional bearer-token or API-key authentication. LabelForge runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, requires Node.js 18 or later, and recommends version 20 or later. Its interface is available in English and Italian.
For and against
For
- Visual editor provides a live preview.
- CSV imports support one label per row.
- Supports network, Windows, and USB printer connections.
- HTTP and command-line job submission are available.
- Free and open source under MIT License.
Against
- Requires Node.js 18 or later.
- Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run.
- Several printer languages are experimental and unverified.
- USB printing by printer name requires Windows.
The verdict
LabelForge offers visual label layout alongside batch printing and several ways for other programs to submit jobs. Its most clearly established printer-language support is ZPL; other listed languages remain experimental.
Who it suits
LabelForge suits people who need to create and print variable-data labels from a desktop app or command line. It may also fit workflows where other programs submit jobs through HTTP or watched folders.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open source · MIT License · no paid dependencies
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- API default
- The integration guide says the HTTP server listens on localhost by default and recommends using a token and firewall restrictions for LAN exposure.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Batch printing
- Users can import a CSV to print one label per row, or scan barcodes to trigger automatic printing.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Code signing
- The packaged app is not code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README says downloads are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, and also lists an Arch Linux AUR package.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- HTTP API
- The HTTP server provides health, template-listing, and print endpoints, and supports optional bearer-token or API-key authentication.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Other programs can submit print jobs through an HTTP server, a watched folder of JSON jobs, or the command-line interface.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README describes printing labels from a desktop app or command line and connecting other programs through HTTP or watched-folder jobs.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The interface is available in English and Italian, switchable in Settings.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Printer connections
- Printing supports network printers on raw port 9100, Windows printers by name, and USB devices on Linux or Mac.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Printer languages
- ZPL is tested on real hardware; TSPL, EPL, CPCL, and EZPL are described as experimental and unverified on physical printers.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LabelForge designs labels visually and prints ZPL to Zebra printers, with the ZD410 listed as tested hardware.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The app requires Node.js 18 or later, with version 20 or later recommended; USB printing by printer name requires Windows.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support and contributions
- The project invites contributions and asks users to open an issue before making large changes.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Templates
- JSON templates support text, Code128, Code39, Code93, EAN-13, QR codes, DataMatrix, lines, and boxes.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Visual editor
- The editor provides a live preview and lets users select, drag, resize, and snap elements to a grid without editing JSON.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
