Zig zag: definition and difference from the Caroll strip

Zig zag: a label layout without Caroll tape

The term zig zag refers to a continuous paper packaging method, similar to the accordion folding principle used for Caroll tape, but without the perforated side strips intended for mechanical drive by pins. Specifically, the paper or label strip is alternately folded to one side and then the other, forming a compact stack that is easy to pile, without requiring the drive mechanism typical of dot matrix needle printers.

This folding method meets a practical need for packaging and storage rather than a mechanical drive constraint. Unlike a roll wound on a core, a zig zag stack is presented as a flat pile, which makes it easier to insert into certain printer models that have a drawer or horizontal loading compartment rather than a traditional spool holder. This format is still used notably for some papers intended for high-volume office printers or for labels packaged in large quantities in a limited storage space.

From a manufacturing standpoint, switching from roll packaging to zig zag packaging requires specific folding tooling at the end of the production line, different from simple winding on a core. The quality of this folding directly affects the ease of unwinding the stack once inserted into the printer: irregular or poorly calibrated folding can cause jams or blockages during paper feeding, especially on high-speed printer models where consistent paper advance is critical.

For a professional evaluating a choice between classic roll and zig zag packaging, several practical criteria come into play. Zig zag generally facilitates flat storage and stacking of multiple stacks on a shelf, an advantage for constrained storage spaces. However, it is not suitable for all modern thermal printer models, as most current equipment is designed around a standard spool holder, making the classic roll much more common in today’s thermal label market.

Finally, it is important to clearly distinguish zig zag from Caroll tape itself: both share the same accordion folding principle, but only Caroll tape retains the side perforations necessary for pin feed in dot matrix printers. A professional seeking a consumable compatible with legacy equipment must therefore precisely verify which of these two formats is required by their printer, as confusion between the two is a relatively common source of ordering errors among buyers less familiar with this technical vocabulary.