Full Specifications · 105SL vs 105SL Plus · Printhead · In-House Repair
The Zebra 105SL is a discontinued 4-inch all-metal industrial thermal printer that prints up to 8 inches per second and is still running production labeling in warehouses today. This page carries the complete 105SL specifications, the differences between the 105SL and the later 105SL Plus, printhead guidance, and your options now that Zebra no longer services either model.
Free 90-Day Warranty 5 In-House Technicians Phoenix Repair Depot Ship In or Drop Off No Contract Required Updated August 5, 2026
Zebra 105SL Specifications
The 105SL is a reinforced-metal industrial printer with a 4.09-inch print width, 32-bit processing, and a choice of 203 or 300 dpi printhead. At 55 pounds it is a genuinely heavy machine, which is worth knowing before you plan to ship one anywhere. The full table is below; verify against your exact part number before ordering parts or media.
| Print methods | Thermal transfer or direct thermal |
|---|---|
| Construction | Reinforced metal exterior with all-metal drives, gears and spindles |
| Resolution | 203 dpi (8 dots/mm) standard · 300 dpi (12 dots/mm) optional printhead |
| Print width | 4.09″ (104 mm) |
| Print speed | Selectable, up to 8″/sec (203 mm/sec) |
| Memory | 6 MB SDRAM, 4 MB Flash · optional factory-installed 64 MB Flash (61 MB user available) |
| Processor | 32-bit |
| Display | Two-line, 16-character LCD control panel |
| Media sensor | Transmissive standard · reflective available as an option |
| Printhead technology | Zebra E3 Printhead Energy Control |
| Programming languages | ZPL and ZPL II |
| Interfaces | RS-232C/422/485 serial, Centronics IEEE 1284 bi-directional parallel · ZebraNet print servers optional · twinax and coax available |
| Dimensions | 11.2″ W × 15.5″ H × 19.5″ D (283 × 394 × 495 mm) |
| Weight | 55 lb (25 kg) · 63 lb (29 kg) shipping |
| Common options | 300 dpi printhead, PCMCIA memory slot, media rewind spindle, peel and liner rewind for print-and-apply, full-width cutter with catch tray, fanfold bin, European and Asian font sets |
The original spec sheet is here if you need the full symbology list: Zebra 105SL specification sheet (PDF).
105SL vs 105SL Plus — Which One Do You Have?
These are two different printers, and confusing them is the most common reason the wrong part gets ordered. The 105SL Plus is the later model built on the Zebra 110Xi4 platform, and it is faster with substantially more memory. Check the model badge on the front panel before ordering a printhead or memory upgrade.
| Specification | 105SL | 105SL Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum print speed | 8″/sec | 12″/sec at 203 dpi |
| Memory (standard) | 6 MB SDRAM, 4 MB Flash | 16 MB SDRAM, 8 MB Flash |
| Display | Two-line, 16-character LCD | Large multilingual backlit LCD with password protection |
| Media sensors | Transmissive (reflective optional) | Dual — adjustable transmissive plus fixed reflective |
| USB | Not standard | USB 2.0 standard |
| Network | ZebraNet print server optional | Internal ZebraNet 10/100 print server standard |
| Languages | ZPL, ZPL II | ZPL II and XML |
| Platform | Original 105 series | Zebra 110Xi4 platform |
| Print width | 4.09″ (104 mm) — identical on both | |
Printhead part numbers are not shared between them. A 105SL Plus 203 dpi printhead carries part number P1053360-018 and will not serve as a drop-in for the original 105SL. Resolution has to match the printer as well — 203 and 300 dpi heads are not interchangeable on either model. Send us the part number from the printer label and we will confirm the correct head before anything is ordered.
105SL Printhead and Print Quality Problems
Replace the printhead when a fixed line of missing dots appears in the same position on every label, which means burned-out heating elements. Print that is faded across the whole label but improves after cleaning is residue, not a failed head — and on an all-metal 24/7 printer like this one, residue is the more common finding.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Same vertical gap on every label | Burned-out printhead elements | Printhead replacement |
| Overall faded print, better after cleaning | Adhesive and dust residue | Clean with isopropyl alcohol at every ribbon change |
| One side darker than the other | Uneven printhead pressure or a worn platen | Pressure adjustment or platen replacement |
| Labels skipping or misregistering | Media sensor or calibration | Recalibrate; replace the transmissive sensor if it will not hold |
| Grinding or slipping media feed | Worn metal gears or drive spindle | Bench teardown — a wear point specific to the all-metal drive train |
| Printer will not hold settings after power cycle | Failing memory or backup battery | Diagnosis required; memory is not user-replaceable on this generation |
Running darkness higher than the media actually needs is the most common way fleets shorten printhead life without realizing it. Drivers, firmware and the 105SL user guide come from Zebra directly — search the model on Zebra’s support site and enable the discontinued-products view, since neither model appears in the current catalog.
Both Models Are Discontinued — Your Options
Zebra no longer sells or services the 105SL or the 105SL Plus; resellers list both as discontinued and Zebra names the ZT510 as the direct 105SL Plus replacement. The printers themselves commonly outlast that support window by many years, which is why they are still in service. Confirm the exact last-sale and service-end dates for your model on Zebra’s support site before planning around them.
| Your Situation | Best Move | What It Involves |
|---|---|---|
| Printhead, platen, sensor or drive failure on a printer that otherwise runs | Repair | Zebra printer repair in-house, quoted before work starts, free 90-day warranty |
| Need matching units to keep existing ZPL label formats running | Buy refurbished | Refurbished inventory at 25–50% below the cost of new |
| Printer on the bench during a peak or inventory count | Rent a bridge unit | Short- and long-term rentals |
| Ready to move to current-generation hardware | Replace | The ZT510 is the named 105SL Plus replacement at the same 4-inch width, with ZPL II compatibility for existing formats |
| Retired 105SLs on a shelf | Sell them back | We buy surplus equipment, working or not |
All five are things we actually do, so the recommendation is not shaped by what we happen to sell. Five in-house technicians handle every repair at our Phoenix depot with nothing outsourced, and every unit returns under a free 90-day warranty. Ship in using our repair packing list — and pack a 105SL properly, because at 63 pounds shipping weight this is a printer that punishes a thin box. Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale businesses can drop off at the South Phoenix depot instead, which for a machine this heavy is usually the cheaper route.
Industrial printers running in non-climate-controlled Phoenix-area warehouses along the I-10 corridor pull fine dust into the printhead assembly and media path faster than the same model in a sealed facility, and that grit shortens printhead life. If your 105SLs live in an open warehouse here, cleaning at every ribbon change matters more than the manual suggests. We also service the Zebra ZM400 and other discontinued models — see Zebra end-of-life repair for the wider picture, or our Zebra printer troubleshooting guide for symptoms across the range.
Mixed legacy fleets. Sites still running 105SLs often run discontinued Intermec hardware alongside them. We repair those too, including the Intermec 3400, CK3, CK31 and CK71 — one depot address for the whole floor.
Zebra 105SL FAQs
Is the Zebra 105SL discontinued?
Yes. Zebra no longer sells or services either the 105SL or the later 105SL Plus, and the ZT510 is named as the direct replacement for the 105SL Plus. The printers still work and are still repairable — they are simply no longer serviced by the manufacturer. Sterling Mobile repairs both models in-house and stocks refurbished units.
What is the difference between the 105SL and the 105SL Plus?
The 105SL Plus is the later model, built on the Zebra 110Xi4 platform. It prints up to 12 inches per second versus 8 on the original, carries 16 MB SDRAM and 8 MB Flash versus 6 MB and 4 MB, and adds standard USB 2.0, an internal ZebraNet 10/100 print server, dual media sensors and a backlit multilingual display. Print width is 4.09 inches on both. Printheads are not interchangeable between them.
How do I know if my 105SL needs a new printhead?
Print a test label and look at the pattern of failure. A consistent vertical line of missing dots in the same place on every label means burned-out printhead elements and requires replacement. Faded print across the whole label that improves after cleaning is residue rather than a failed head. Match resolution to the printer — 203 and 300 dpi heads are not interchangeable — and confirm the model, because the 105SL Plus uses a different part.
What replaced the Zebra 105SL?
The ZT510 is the named replacement for the 105SL Plus, at the same 4-inch print width. Because it supports ZPL II, existing label formats generally carry over. Repairing the printers you already own is often the better move while a migration is planned, rather than replacing an entire fleet at once.
Can I get a 105SL repaired if I'm not in Arizona?
Yes. Ship the printer to our Phoenix depot following the repair packing list, and pricing is quoted and approved before work begins. Bear in mind the 105SL has a 63-pound shipping weight, so for Phoenix-metro businesses dropping off at 5631 S 24th St is usually cheaper and faster than freight both ways. Depot hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Arizona time.
Get a 105SL Repair or Refurbished Quote
Send us the symptom and the part number from the printer label — we’ll confirm whether it’s a 105SL or a 105SL Plus and quote before any work starts. Repaired in-house by 5 technicians in South Phoenix, returned under a free 90-day warranty.
Call (480) 785-4711 → Request a Free Quote Today! →Phone: (480) 785-4711 · Fax: (480) 785-4717 · info@sterlingmobile.com
5631 S 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85040
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Arizona time) · Sat–Sun closed
Last updated: August 5, 2026