Start with the environment, not the design
The single biggest cause of label failure is a substrate chosen for looks rather than conditions. Before anything else, record the surface temperature range, whether the item is indoors or outdoors, and what chemicals or cleaning regimes it will meet.
The four material families we supply
Each family has a clear job. Choosing across families is usually easier than choosing within them.
- Polyester: the industrial default. Excellent chemical resistance, prints crisply, suits asset tags and rating labels.
- Vinyl: conformable and forgiving on curved or textured surfaces, ideal for safety and pipe marking.
- Polycarbonate: rigid, scratch-resistant and used where the label doubles as a control panel overlay.
- Anodised aluminium and stainless steel: for heat, abrasion and long outdoor life where a plastic label will not survive.
Where people get it wrong
Paper-faced labels applied to plant equipment, gloss laminates in direct sunlight without a UV filter, and standard adhesives on low-energy plastics such as polypropylene. Each of these fails within months rather than years.
Want this specified for your own assets?
Send us the details and we'll recommend a material, adhesive and print method.