Zebra Technologies Launches Thermal Printing in Colour With its New IQ Color Labels

BOURNE END, England, April 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- IQ Color Streamlines Operations, Reduces Errors and Printing Costs

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, announces the launch and immediate availability of its IQ Color Thermal Labels, allowing operations managers to print colour visual cues on demand using their existing Zebra thermal printer.

With Zebra's IQ Color direct thermal ink technology, users can print colour labels on demand. To create an IQ Color label, users can simply choose up to three colours plus the size and shape required. During the label manufacturing process, invisible inks are applied in up to three designated zones, customised to the end-user's needs and label format. To the naked eye, colours are not apparent on the label. The Zebra printer's printhead then heat-activates the ink to make select colours visible based on the format sent to the printer. This allows for each individual label to be customised with colour images, text, shapes, graphics and more at the point of printing.

"Zebra's IQ Color technology is a good testament to our ongoing dedication to providing our customers with innovative products that will help streamline their operations, and at the same time reduce errors and costs," said Richard Knight, Supplies Director for Zebra Technologies Europe. "Eliminating the need for pre-printed colour labels will help increase productivity, as it removes the need to change rolls or switch printers and can help to reduce inventory and improve quality control."

Enhancing Zebra's robust product line, the IQ Color technology will be available on existing Zebra thermal printers and will benefit a variety of industries such as:

    - Healthcare: IQ Color can be integrated in the laboratory and pharmacy
      for the identification and prioritisation of orders.

    - Transportation and Logistics: To reduce shipping and stocking errors
      during the sorting process by highlighting special order instructions.
      IQ Color also allows for real-time inventory management to ensure FIFO
      (First In First Out) and easily identify any misplaced items.

    - Manufacturing: Critical for product identification in the inspection
      and assembly phase, IQ Color can reduce the cost of using additional
      labels during the sorting process and at the same time ensure quality
      control.

    - Retail: Integrated into shelf labeling, IQ Color allows for easy
      identification of product attributes.

IQ Color labels will be sold primarily through Zebra's vast network of channel partners. For more information, please call +44-(0)1628-556000 or visit http://www.emea.zebra.com/en/supplies. To view the IQ Color video, click http://ow.ly/AUB1

About Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ZBRA) provides the broadest range of innovative technology solutions to identify, track, and manage the deployment of critical assets for improved business efficiency. Zebra's core technologies include reliable on-demand printer and state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions. By enabling improvements in sourcing, visibility, security and accuracy, Zebra helps its customers to put the right asset in the right place at the right time. Zebra serves more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. For more information about Zebra's solutions, visit http://www.zebra.com.

SOURCE Zebra Technologies