qz

Print Middleware Softwareqz.io

qz (QZ Industries, LLC) develops QZ Tray, an open-source Java desktop application that enables web browsers to print directly to local and network printers via WebSocket. It serves web developers, POS operators, and shipping/logistics businesses with a freemium plus subscription model.

Company typePrivate
Founded2013
HeadquartersCanastota, United States
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2B
OfferingSoftware

What qz does

QZ Industries, LLC (operating as qz) is a privately held software company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Canastota, New York. The company develops QZ Tray, a Java-based desktop application that enables web browsers to print directly to local and network printers via WebSocket communication. The software supports both pixel printing (PDF, PNG, HTML) and raw printing across multiple printer command languages (ZPL, EPL, ESC/POS, SBPL, FGL, CPCL, and others), with broad compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux clients and all major desktop browsers.

The product is built on an open-source foundation (LGPL-2.1 licensed) with over 1,000,000 downloads. The technology stack includes a Trusted Dialog certificate system for secure silent printing, a JavaScript API (qz-tray.js) for web developer integration, and support for serial, HID, USB, socket, and file I/O communication with peripheral hardware including scales. The proprietary features center on security architecture (certificate-based trust), interoperability (multi-language raw printing), and cross-platform compatibility.

QZ Industries operates a product-led growth model with three tiers: a free community-supported version (self-signed certificates), a Premium Support subscription at $749/year, and a Company Branded white-label license at $3,499/year, both with multi-year discount options. The company also offers a Premium Sponsored program providing free premium licenses to humanitarian and public service organizations. Customers primarily operate in shipping/logistics, point-of-sale, web application development, and industrial labeling verticals, with a globally distributed SMB and small-enterprise customer base.

qz firmographics

Firmographics

Name: qz
Legal name: QZ Industries, LLC
Website: https://qz.io
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2013
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: qz (QZ Industries, LLC) develops QZ Tray, an open-source Java desktop application that enables web browsers to print directly to local and network printers via WebSocket. It serves web developers, POS operators, and shipping/logistics businesses with a freemium plus subscription model.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

qz industry classification

Industry

Product category: Print Middleware Software
NAICS: Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290)
SIC: Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)
akta.pro industry: PRIMARYHDACAEAJ
Production & High-Volume Printing Systems
Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Computing Hardware & Peripherals/Printers, Scanners & Imaging Peripherals
SECONDARYHDACAKAD
Receipt, Label & Card Printers (Thermal/Impact)
Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Computing Hardware & Peripherals/POS & Retail Computing Hardware
SECONDARYIMAHAOAE
Labeling, Coding & Marking Systems
Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Packaging Machinery (Automated & Semi-automated)
SECONDARYIMALAOAD
Labeling, Coding & Marking Equipment (Labelers, Inkjet, Laser)
Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Packaging & Containers/Packaging Machinery and Equipment

Keywords

Browser printing software
Web to printer middleware
Thermal label printing
Raw printer command support
JavaScript print API

Where qz is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Canastota
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

qz business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Software
Cost components: Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

Premium Support Subscription: Annual subscription providing trusted certificate, 48-hour email support, developer phone support by appointment, software updates, and bug fixes. $749/year with discounted multi-year rates.
Company Branded White-Label License: Annual subscription providing white-label branding customization, custom build portal access, trusted certificate, premium support features. $3,499/year with discounted multi-year rates.
Free Community Version: Open-source LGPL community edition available for free download with self-signed certificates and community support only. Used as product-led growth entry point.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Freemium	Pay-as-you-go	Community/Free Tier - Open-source version with community support
Subscription	Annual	Premium Support - Annual subscription with trusted certificate and commercial support
Subscription	Annual	Company Branded - White-label version with full premium support

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

qz product offering

Product offering

Core offering

QZ Industries develops QZ Tray, an open-source Java desktop application that enables web browsers to print directly to local and network printers via a WebSocket link and a JavaScript API. It supports both pixel printing (PDF, HTML, PNG, JPG) and raw printing across all major thermal printer command languages (ZPL, EPL, ESC/POS, SBPL, FGL, CPCL, EPCL, DPL, PGL) for hardware from Zebra, SATO, Epson, Citizen, Star, Boca, Dymo and others, and adds direct serial, USB, HID, socket, and file communication for scales and peripherals.

Product overview

QZ Industries offers QZ Tray, an open-source desktop application (LGPL licensed) that enables web developers to integrate local and network printer access from web browsers. The core product supports pixel printing (PDF, PNG, HTML, image formats) and raw printing with native printer language support (ZPL, EPL, ESC/POS, SBPL, DPL, CPCL, EPCL, FGL). The product portfolio includes a free Community tier, a $749/year Premium Support tier (with trusted certificate and developer support), and a $3,499/year Company Branded white-label tier. The software is implemented in Java and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, connecting to web applications via a JavaScript API using WebSocket communication. Over 1,000,000 downloads have been recorded, with adoption in POS and shipping industries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

QZ Tray: Desktop application enabling web developers to integrate local printing within web applications. Supports PDF, PNG, HTML, PCL, ESC/POS, EPL, ZPL, SBPL, FGL and more printer languages.
Company Branded
Premium Sponsored

Products and services

QZ Tray Open-source Java desktop application that enables web developers to integrate local and network printer access within web applications via a JavaScript API, supporting both pixel printing (PDF, HTML, PNG, JPG) and raw printing (ZPL, EPL, ESC/POS, SBPL, FGL, CPCL, EPCL, DPL, PGL) for software teams building browser-based POS, shipping, and label printing workflows.
Premium Support

Quantifiable outcome

Over 1,000,000 downloads indicating widespread adoption
+1 more outcomes

Companies that use qz

Customer profile

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

qz technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API: Yes
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature5 records

qz partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Scale indicators1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

qz competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

qz financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

qz leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

qz funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

qz M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about qz

What does qz do?

Is qz a public or private company?

qz is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.

When was qz founded?

qz was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is qz based?

qz is headquartered in Canastota, United States, in the North America region.

How does qz make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Premium Support Subscription is the primary driver. The others are company Branded White-Label License and free Community Version.

Does qz have an API?

Yes. QZ Tray provides a JavaScript API enabling web developers to integrate local printing within web applications. The API connects via WebSocket to the QZ Tray desktop application running locally on the client machine. Key namespaces include: qz.print (sending print jobs), qz.configs (printer configuration), qz.printers (printer discovery and management), qz.serial (RS232/COM port communication), qz.usb (USB device interaction), qz.hid (HID device communication), qz.socket (network socket communication), qz.file (filesystem access), qz.security (certificate and signing management), qz.networking (network information), and qz.websocket (connection management). The API supports pixel printing (HTML, image, PDF formats) and raw printing (ZPL, EPL, ESC/POS, and other printer languages). Authentication uses certificate-based trusted dialog with optional message signing using SHA1, SHA256, or SHA512 algorithms. Developer documentation is at qz.io/api.

What industry is qz in?

qz's product category is Print Middleware Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAEAJ, Production & High-Volume Printing Systems, with a secondary code of HDACAKAD, Receipt, Label & Card Printers (Thermal/Impact). Its NAICS code is 3341 and its SIC code is 3555.