Plastic ID Tag

[Edrick]

Hey does anyone know a place I can get some rectangular plastic tags printed with a company name, department name, and phone number?

I want to get some Plastic ID Tags that I can zip tie to cables and devices. So for example it would say:

Edrick Smith Productions
Electric. Department
781-249-9657

Then have a notch at one end to stick a zip tie through. I've seen them used for telecom installs and service providers where it would say like AT&T Broadband Do Not Modify.

I only need like 20 or so of these.

[lieperjp]

I would check with a local business supply store or copy center. I know that the company that most of the business supply stores around here uses to print business cards or stationary also does things like name tags and plastic tags, stuff like that.

[mbandgeek]

There are many threads on here about heatshrinking tags onto cables, That way they are snagless and you can make them yourself. And for devices, spray adhesive and some labels made on a computer on standard computer papar, top it off with some clear packing tape.

Or if it is a roadcase that won't be seen by clients, stencil and spraypaint.

[lieperjp]

Something else you may be able to use are these products from Avery:


Laminated ID Cards

Or Laminated Cards Clip Style

No, they're not as durable as plastic, but they last a long time.

[ship]

I used to just photo copy out some of similar info onto a standard piece of paper and use 2" packaging tape and glue to make it stay. Worked well for years and still works with my personal cable though the phone number has long since changed.

Work uses heat shrink with the info printed on it and has clear heat shrink over it with glue to prevent the printed shrink label from rubbing off and allow for serial numbers.

Also in the past few years went bar code. Lots of barcode printers and other label makers for cable on the market that has a printed area and a leader of clear tape to wrap around it and the cable. Normally at work we also put clear heat shrink over that also to prevent that marking from coming loose especially during the summer when adhesive becomes gooy. Barcode cable marker tags don't have to have barcodes on them, a label is a label in the end and there is lots of label making gear out there that is designed for marking cable.

Got some McMaster cable tie label plates in my desk drawer. Rare I use them other than for marking vendor sample cable. Lots of places that could supply you with cable tie type name plate plates with cable tie attached to them - this both pre-printed and that you put on your own label. For them you could lay out on your computer some labels and do some perminant grade laser printer stickers available thru any office supply or McMaster and a number of other places. Basically you just set up the page on your printer as a tabel or a bunch of labels, click copy the info into each box and print them up onto the printer page that's adhesive backed. Than stick to the cable tie plate.

If going to do such a thing I caution you in two ways however. First, they will snag and hang up and get lost more so than something that's flush with the cable. Second, if installing them, had at best have the tools or technique or you gonna be getting cut on them with the sharp cut off edges. First score deep the cable tie where you want to cut it, and bend until it breaks. Not the best system but does flush cut. Second buy side cutting pliers that flush cut - again not always works. Third or best buy a flush cutting cable tie gun that is sized for the cable poundage and don't go cheap.

Even still that's going to be a bump and something to get in the way of feeding it thru stuff. Interesting idea but better to go flush wrap around instead of ribbon that's easily ripped off. Still though, any attempt to mark your stuff is a good thing. Wouldn't imagine the amount of gear per year that winds up in our boxes without phone numbers and names.

Final note, more frequently these days I see cable with a company name and phone number printed on the cable jacket itself. You buy a bulk of it and getting it pre-printed really isn't as bad in price as it might seem. I don't do it yet but view it as a very valid option.

This granted you have to physically read the cable to figure out who it belongs to as opposed to easily seeing a tag and most don't, but still it's a cable that's perminantly yours and you might get back realistically over others if they have a care or don't fear showing up to your venu with cable having their tags but your printing. That's a bad thing if you want a successful show - show up at McCormic place with their cable but your tags on it. Not that anyone would care I'm sure but potentially it could be a really bad thing and event. This cable printed with your name and number plus well marked - that's the best way to tell who's cable it is. Spray paint on plugs... works only at your location, one step out the door and nobody knows other than the plug has been painted.

[gafftaper]

I would do business cards and have them laminated like a luggage tag. Nice clean and professional looking. Kinko's/Office Depot/Office Max/Staples should be able to handle it for you.

A few years back I purchased some self stick laminating material designed to make my own luggage tags. Not as good as the real thing in heavy laminate but it would do. I think we got two or three of them for a buck or two.

[Kelite]

Sorry to be so late to the party-

Apollo makes lasered nylon stencils in a variety of shapes and sizes, which may be kinda what you're looking for. SOme of these examples were on the shelf at LDI - gafftaper, dvsdave, and Philhaney may have seen them, so they could give you an unbiased review.

If you have yet to find something that works for you, great! If not, perhaps these would work very well for you-

[cdub260]

Seton makes custom tags.

Just be warned. If you order anything from Seton, they'll send you three catalogues a month for the rest of your life.