Rollo Label Printer — Setup Guide & Review (X1040)

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

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

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

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.