Rollo Label Printer — Setup Guide & Review (X1040)

ShippingLabel Editorial Team···12 min read

Get your Rollo thermal label printer printing perfect 4×6 shipping labels in minutes — plus a head-to-head comparison vs DYMO 4XL and Zebra.

The Rollo label printeris the most popular thermal shipping label printer for small e-commerce sellers. It prints 4×6 labels without ink, handles every major carrier format (UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL), and works with eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, and every shipping platform. Here's how to set it up correctly — and how it compares to the DYMO 4XL and Zebra.

Rollo vs DYMO 4XL vs Zebra — Quick Comparison

FeatureRollo X1040DYMO 4XLZebra ZD421
Price~$200~$170~$350+
ConnectionUSB + WiFi (wireless model)USB onlyUSB + Bluetooth + WiFi
Print speed150mm/sec100mm/sec150mm/sec
Label width4 inches (4×6)4 inches (4×6)4 inches (4×6)
Fan-fold support✓✓✓
Mobile app✓ (Rollo app)Limited✓
Best forSmall to mid sellerseBay / budgetWarehouses / high volume
PlatformsAllAllAll

Bottom line:Rollo X1040 is the best all-around choice for sellers shipping 5–300 packages per day. DYMO 4XL is the cheapest entry point. Zebra is the commercial-grade pick if you're running a warehouse.

What's in the Box

  • Rollo X1040 printer unit
  • USB cable (and power adapter for non-USB-powered models)
  • Sample roll of 4×6 thermal labels
  • Quick start guide with a link to download drivers

The Rollo does notuse ink, toner, or ribbons. It's a direct thermal printer — heat activates the label coating. This is why there's no ink cost and no cartridge to replace.

Step 1: Install the Rollo Driver

Install the driver before connecting the printer:

  1. Visit rollo.com/support and download the driver for your OS (Windows or macOS)
  2. Run the installer and follow the prompts — takes about 2 minutes
  3. Connect the Rollo to your computer via USB after the driver is installed
  4. The printer appears in your system's device list within 30 seconds

macOS note:On recent macOS versions you may need to approve the driver in System Settings → Privacy & Security → allow the Rollo system extension.

Step 2: Load Labels

  • Open the top cover of the printer
  • Place the label roll or fan-fold stack so labels feed from underneath
  • Pull the first label through the guides until it extends past the print head
  • Close the cover and press the feed button once to align the first label
  • The Rollo accepts both roll labels and fan-fold (stacked) 4×6 labels

Thermal side check:If labels print blank, they're loaded upside down. The thermal-sensitive side (slightly shiny or less matte) must face the print head — that's the inside of the roll.

Step 3: Configure Label Size

Verify the default label size is set to 4″ × 6″:

  • Windows: Control Panel → Devices & Printers → right-click Rollo → Printing Preferences → set paper size to 4×6
  • macOS: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Rollo → Options & Supplies → set media size to 4×6 (102mm × 152mm)

If labels print off-center or mid-label, the paper size setting is always the first thing to check. The Rollo driver sometimes defaults to a different size after driver updates.

Step 4: Print a Test Label

Create a test label with ShippingLabel and download the 4×6 PDF. Open the PDF and verify these print settings before clicking Print:

  • Paper size: 4″ × 6″ (100mm × 150mm)
  • Orientation: Portrait
  • Scaling: Actual size / 100% — never “Fit to page”
  • Margins: None / minimum

Setting Up the Wireless Rollo (WiFi Model)

The Rollo wireless model connects to your local network so multiple computers and phones can print without USB cables:

  1. Download the Rollo app on your phone (iOS or Android)
  2. Power on the Rollo — it creates a temporary WiFi hotspot named “ROLLO-XXXXX”
  3. Connect your phone to the Rollo hotspot and open the Rollo app
  4. In the app, go to Settings → Network and enter your home/office WiFi credentials
  5. The Rollo switches from hotspot mode to your main WiFi network
  6. On your computer: add the Rollo as a network printer using its IP address (found in the Rollo app)

Once on WiFi, any device on the same network can print to the Rollo. This is a major advantage over the DYMO 4XL (USB only).

Using Rollo with Shipping Platforms

The Rollo works with every major platform out of the box:

  • eBay: Print labels directly from Seller Hub — select Rollo, choose 4×6 format, done.
  • Etsy: Etsy generates PDF labels — open and print to Rollo at 4×6. Works perfectly.
  • Amazon: FBA box labels and shipping labels both print correctly on Rollo.
  • Poshmark: Download the prepaid label PDF; resize to 4×6 in your PDF viewer before printing.
  • Pirate Ship & ShipStation: Both have native Rollo support with a dedicated 4×6 print option.
  • ShippingLabel.co: Select 4×6 thermal format when downloading — prints directly to Rollo with zero fuss.

Troubleshooting Common Rollo Problems

⚠ Blank labels printing

Labels are loaded upside down. The thermal-sensitive (slightly shiny) side must face the print head. Flip the roll so labels feed from underneath with the printable side facing up through the head.

⚠ Label not aligned / double feeding

Press and hold the feed button for 3 seconds to recalibrate. This re-teaches the printer your label size and gap. Do this whenever you change label stock.

⚠ Print is too light or faded

Increase the darkness/density setting in the Rollo driver preferences. Also check your label stock — cheap labels sometimes have a thin thermal coating.

⚠ Printer not recognized by computer

Try a different USB port. Reinstall the driver completely (uninstall first, then reinstall). On Windows, check Device Manager for driver errors.

⚠ Label prints too small or scaled wrong

Scaling is set to 'Fit to page' instead of 'Actual Size / 100%'. Always print at 100% scaling — shrinking the label makes barcodes unscannable.

⚠ WiFi model not connecting to network

The Rollo only connects to 2.4GHz WiFi networks — it does not support 5GHz. If your router broadcasts both, connect to the 2.4GHz band during setup.

Recommended Labels for Rollo

The Rollo uses direct thermal labels — no ink or toner needed. When buying labels:

  • Size: 4″ × 6″ (the standard shipping label size)
  • Type: Direct thermal (NOT thermal transfer — that requires ribbon)
  • Format: Fan-fold or roll — both work with Rollo
  • Quantity: 500–1,000 per pack is the sweet spot for most sellers

Generic direct thermal labels work perfectly well — you don't need Rollo-branded labels. Third-party labels from Amazon (Mflabel, Nelko, etc.) typically cost $0.03–$0.06 per label vs $0.09–$0.12 for name-brand stock.

For a broader comparison, read our best shipping label printers guide or compare thermal vs inkjet printing for shipping labels. Debugging ZPL output from a Zebra or compatible thermal printer? Use our free online ZPL viewer to preview labels before sending them to the printer. Ready to print? Create a free shipping label right now.

Rollo Label Printer FAQ

Does the Rollo label printer need ink?
No. The Rollo is a direct thermal printer — it uses heat to activate special coating on the labels instead of ink or toner. There are no cartridges to buy or replace. Your only ongoing cost is the label stock itself, which runs about $0.03–$0.08 per label.
What label size does the Rollo use?
The Rollo prints 4×6 inch labels (100mm × 150mm), which is the standard shipping label size used by UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, and all major carriers. It does not support smaller label sizes like 2×4 or name badge sizes.
Is the Rollo compatible with eBay, Etsy, and Amazon?
Yes — the Rollo works with every major selling platform. eBay Seller Hub, Etsy, Amazon Seller Central, Poshmark, Mercari, Shopify, WooCommerce, and all third-party shipping tools like Pirate Ship and ShipStation all support 4×6 thermal printing. Just select your Rollo printer and print.
Rollo vs DYMO 4XL — which is better?
Rollo X1040 is the better choice for most sellers. It offers WiFi connectivity (DYMO 4XL is USB-only), slightly faster print speed, and a mobile app. The DYMO 4XL is about $30 cheaper upfront and has been around longer (wider driver support on older systems). If you need wireless printing or want a modern device, go Rollo. If you're on a tight budget and only need USB, DYMO 4XL is a solid alternative.
Can the Rollo print on regular paper?
No — the Rollo is designed exclusively for 4×6 thermal label stock. It cannot print on plain paper, standard office paper, or anything other than direct thermal labels. If you need to print shipping labels on regular paper, use an inkjet or laser printer instead.
How do I connect the Rollo to WiFi?
Use the Rollo mobile app. Power on the printer, connect your phone to the Rollo's temporary WiFi hotspot (named 'ROLLO-XXXXX'), open the app, go to Settings → Network, and enter your home/office WiFi credentials. Important: the Rollo only supports 2.4GHz WiFi, not 5GHz. Make sure you're connecting to the 2.4GHz band.

Print a Test Label on Your Rollo

Create a 4×6 label in any carrier format and test your setup. Free — no account needed.

Create a Label Now — Free