We have struggled with the same exact challenge in labelling the portable parts storage cases. So much so, we looked into re-printing every case with a small section where we could add a label from Printables. We’ve also discussed printing these in different colors to align with the color of the tool needed.
For this season, we’re continuing to use similar labels to what the Brother P-Touch product has and will most likely proceed with the system I’ve linked above after the 2024 season is over.
So… we’re not yet using what I’d want us to use, but what I learned many moons ago…
Most of the consumer grade labels are designed to be temporary - they’re supposed to peel off after a little bit and not leave a residue. Great for some things, not others.
A bit of amazon search word soup - keywords like “industrial”, “permeant”, flex (latex stretchy labels, not PVC) is what I’ve used to get the good stuff.
The downside is I’m struggling to search Brother’s website for P-Touch series tape that meets these criteria.
1293 is using some cheap home-office Dymo printer with generic labels and it’s “fine I guess”.
At work, we use a Dymo Rhino 4200 and their vinyl labels for marking asset numbers and labeling wires with its dedicated mode. They make the vinyl in several widths (the 4200 will do up to 3/4" wide, higher spec models will do 1"), and it’s super flexible around curves; they also make a Permanent Polyester which is super tough on flatter surfaces.
(Dymo also sells a printable heat shrink cartridge for these printers. I tried it at work, and it doesn’t grip the wire all that great. I’d sooner do a vinyl label on a wire and then follow it with a good marine-grade clear heat shrink over the top if I need to protect the label or wire.)
Once you use it, you will immediately understand why it’s worth the price premium. One is on my wish list for our shop.
Exactly our use case… Those labels on the handles seen above just keep peeling off on us…
Not opposed to buying a new label maker but I bet based on the number of teams that use these cases (or similar ones)…
Someone out there has to have a solution that they have found to be durable.
I’m mot sure what brand of label maker we have, but I can check on Friday. We use it to make labels for electrical components (spark maxes) and also storage. I don’t have the most experience with it, but I’ve never seen the labels coming off. Recently, one of the software kids stuck one that says “can” onto the the small puma logo on my jacket that I wear almost daily. After about 3 weeks, it has yet to come off. (I haven’t washed it in that time) Again I’ll check what we use tomorrow and gwt back to you.
(I’m in PNW as well, which means that it’s been worn outside in the rain)
FRC148 took advantage of the multi-material capability of the Bambu X1c and 3D printed out labels that snapped onto the handles of Milwaukee Packouts. We found .STLs online for the various packouts we had, adjusted them ever so slightly, then added our text as needed. I think we were able to get 30+ packouts labeled with a few overnight print beds. Obviously this method is dependent on the container that needs to be labeled and if it has features you can use to attach to, but its definitely more robust than even the most industrial label maker.
It’s a difficult application for any label. The surface is convex, textured, and right over a mold line. Very little of the adhesive is actually in contact with the organizer handle. Despite that, our exact same labels on the exact same boxes have been holding on for about two years now.
I’ve also used a friend’s label maker for another project – the Brady M210 and vinyl labels. They’re more compliant than the Brother P-Touch labels, so you’ll get more contact area. The more difficult surfaces: one of these has been stuck to a textured hose in an engine bay for 3 years, and several that are wrapped around wires in a damp environment. One is attached to fairly rough plywood and holding. He says they last >6 years outdoors too – I believe most of these are on powdercoated steel or plastic electrical boxes.
At work I use a Dymo XTL 500, with vinyl labels and self laminating wire labels.
Printer can be connected and run from Computer, you can set a label length and all text will auto size to fit that. I have labels on tool boxes that have been there for 4+ years ( not on handles though), and in control panels 3+ years old(~240 labels each panel) You can create all labels on the computer and save them, so if you need to replace a label, or print copies, like if wiring ends of a wire.
I clean surfaces with 91% alcohol for plastic, or for metal surfaces a bit of acetone on a rag. let evaporate off surface and apply label
