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(OT?...) Sticky labels for aluminum and other typical materials panels

 

Hi all,
I've had limited success (hand) writing, and sometimes printing, labels to stick on DIY project boxes for miscellaneous labeling needs. There was some chatter here on materials and printing means and solutions, but I'm really only looking for some recommendations for DIY projects.
?
What types of sticky labels are better for these specific applications? What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.?
?
I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.?
?
Apologies if this is far off topic - hopefully others will find it useful for their own needs.
?
Thank you,
Radu.?
 

On 2025-05-04 8:02 PM, Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.
Look for "permanent marking" type labels at your local office supply store - indeed the staff may be able to help pick something. I've had good success on my KISS-488 GPIB adapter using Staples' ST18053, which claims Laserjet / Inkjet Compatible and Permanent Adhesive. The surface I stick them to isn't easy to stick to, but those seem to hang on well, with a serial number, MAC address, and a QR code that goes to my website (for any firmware updates). I haven't heard any complaints about those falling off. YMMV, and I'm sure other office supply stores have something similar - I just happened to be near a Staples the day I needed those.

Steve Hendrix
 

I have used Scotchmark (both silver and white) for laser-printed panel faces/labels.? Adhesive quality is great.? Abrasion resistance is really good, but if you want permanence at the expense of finish then there are some acrylic sprays available - although they do present a risk of some discolouring with age/UV.
?
?
Peter
 

On 5/4/25 18:02, Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.
I get good use out of a P-Touch Label Tape machine with tape from China. It can make different sizes and thick and thin Helvetica-like fonts. Will do a few other fonts, but if I wanted anything fancier I'd go to laser printer and transfer paper.

Transfer paper will create water-slide decals. I've not done much of that, but those would need protection -- what's a good tape to put over that?

The label machine tape is great durability and comes in white clear, various background colors. Clear would be good to cover laser transfers... I answered my own question!


examples from my photo catalog of my stuff:
 

If you want flat labels on a flat box, there's a way to do them that isn't too bad.

two ways:

1) print a color inkjet (or laser) on a transparency reversed. Mount the transparency ink down so it reads properly.? Be careful that whatever you use to fasten the transparency to the box doesn't dissolve the ink.? Laser may be better in this case. Since the ink is on the reverse of the transparency, it is well shielded.

2) do the same, or don't bother to reverse the transparency. Overlay this with a thin (say 0.050) plastic sheet as a front cover.? This will be milled or machined to go around switches, over (non touch) displays, or around touch displays.? The graphics in either case are limited by your design software.

Depends on how elaborate you wish to be.? It won't quite look like conventional silk screen, but can be far more elaborate. Just fastening the plastic down with screws allows changing your mind.

Otherwise, I've used Ptouch labels, but they're crude if you don't use the transparent ones.

Harvey

On 5/4/2025 8:02 PM, Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
Hi all,
I've had limited success (hand) writing, and sometimes printing, labels to stick on DIY project boxes for miscellaneous labeling needs. There was some chatter here on materials and printing means and solutions, but I'm really only looking for some recommendations for DIY projects.
What types of sticky labels are better for these specific applications? What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.
I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.
Apologies if this is far off topic - hopefully others will find it useful for their own needs.
Thank you,
Radu.
 

I've used P-touch tape for a long time and it works well except that the lettering fades when exposed to sunlight over time.

I USED to use rub-on lettering. I'd fabricate the panel, apply the lettering and then put a coat of spray lacquer over everything and bake the panel in an oven at a very low temperature for an hour or so. I did over-bake one or two of the first panels I made this way, and the lettering (white lettering on black panels) turned slightly brown, but I eventually got the oven temperature & time dialed in. These panels have lasted for decades.

DaveD
KC0WJN


On Sun, May 4, 2025 at 22:31 John Griessen via <john=[email protected]> wrote:
On 5/4/25 18:02, Radu Bogdan Dicher via wrote:
> What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or
> humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.

I get good use out of a P-Touch Label Tape machine with tape from China.? It can make different sizes and thick and thin
Helvetica-like fonts.? Will do a few other fonts, but if I wanted anything fancier I'd go to laser printer and transfer paper.

Transfer paper will create water-slide decals.? I've not done much of that, but those would need protection -- what's a good tape
to put over that?

The label machine tape is great durability and comes in white clear, various background colors.? Clear would be good to cover
laser transfers...? I answered my own question!


examples from my photo catalog of my stuff:
 

On Sunday 04 May 2025 08:02:38 pm Radu Bogdan Dicher via groups.io wrote:
Hi all,
I've had limited success (hand) writing, and sometimes printing, labels to stick on DIY project boxes for miscellaneous labeling needs. There was some chatter here on materials and printing means and solutions, but I'm really only looking for some recommendations for DIY projects.

What types of sticky labels are better for these specific applications? What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.

I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.
I've used a great many of those labels for all sorts of stuff over the years. What you want to avoid is the ones labled "removable", they just don't stick all that well. If the ones you have don't seem to want to stick, maybe they're just too old? I had that happen to me with one box of labels...

--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, ?a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. ?--Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
 

I have no idea of the longevity, but i recently switched from dymo to brady label maker.? ? brady is expensive but I've?
been able to get several types of labels - indoor fabric, outdoor nylon or poly, cable wrap labels, etc.? ? ?They do tend
to leave residue, but i've found it manageable?so far.? ??

-Bill WW1H?

On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 11:02?AM Roy J. Tellason, Sr. via <roy=[email protected]> wrote:
On Sunday 04 May 2025 08:02:38 pm Radu Bogdan Dicher via wrote:
> Hi all,
> I've had limited success (hand) writing, and sometimes printing, labels to stick on DIY project boxes for miscellaneous labeling needs. There was some chatter here on materials and printing means and solutions, but I'm really only looking for some recommendations for DIY projects.
>
> What types of sticky labels are better for these specific applications? What stays put and doesn't peel off the minute finger pressure gets lifted, or there's some variation in temperature and/or humidity? Or just the passage of... minutes.
>
> I've this far used "office supplies" types, but they'd always peel off in short order, and there must be affordable, easily accessible other options I'm not aware of.

I've used a great many of those labels for all sorts of stuff over the years.? What you want to avoid is the ones labled "removable",? they just don't stick all that well.? If the ones you have don't seem to want to stick,? maybe they're just too old?? I had that happen to me with one box of labels...

--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, ?a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. ?--Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
 

On 5/5/25 10:13, Bill Berzinskas via groups.io wrote:
I have no idea of the longevity, but i recently switched from dymo to brady label maker.
They probably have longer time since used for wiring labels.
P-touch lasts maybe 7 years in sun, like vinyl lettering signs and most sign printing.
 

Also, P-touch label longevity depends on the ink color used. Black lasts a lot longer than red or blue. The white background browns over a period of a couple of years in strong sunlight.

When I was in CO, I once, at great effort, ?labeled all of the drawers in my parts cabinets with P-touch labels. My lab was brightly lit by sunlight during the day. Those P-touch labels browned and the red and blue ink faded within a couple of years.I had to replace the labels and remember to keep the blinds down when I wasn't working in there.

Also, removing those labels is somewhat difficult.

DaveD
KC0WJN


On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 12:33 John Griessen via <john=[email protected]> wrote:
On 5/5/25 10:13, Bill Berzinskas via wrote:
> I have no idea of the longevity, but i recently switched from dymo to brady label maker.

They probably have longer time since used for wiring labels.
P-touch lasts maybe 7 years in sun, like vinyl lettering signs and most sign printing.

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