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| Pro tip - label wall warts |
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| Haenk:
--- Quote from: berke on February 02, 2024, 08:59:02 pm ---Yes but my labels faded even though they weren't exposed to any particularly high temperatures (on the wall for example). I have some labels printed with original Dymo cartridges that haven't faded. It's not only that the "unheated" white part gets darker, but the dark parts that were originally printed lose their blackness as well, the whole label converges to a purlish gray haze. --- End quote --- Thermal printing is a chemical process, the printing *will* get weaker over time, the label will turn somewhat yellow/grey-ish over time, especially when exposed to light. The decomposition will be sped up by higher temperature and UV-light. DYMO (original) is not a lot better than 3rd party labels, just way more expensive. Thermo transfer (with black foil) however keeps the black printing like forever. Essentially you are covering your label with a mix of wax and carbon particles, so you don't have a chemical process involved, the print is a physical process. For thermal printing, you are pretty much stuck to paper-based labels; transfer labels are available in paper, different plastic materials and even metal. So you can even create chemical resistant labels. So if you want to mark something to be readable for years to come, use transfer print. There are also these useful handheld printers with cartridges, those are transfer printers as well. Cheap and great, IMHO. |
| AVGresponding:
--- Quote from: berke on February 02, 2024, 09:49:31 pm --- --- Quote from: PlainName on February 02, 2024, 09:06:16 pm ---Given that Dymo are trying to outdo HP as spawn of the devil currently, and your cheap knock-off label fades without prompting, perhaps you're better dumping it all for a Brother or something >:D --- End quote --- It is tempting. Looks like there is even a good Linux driver for the USB models. Would be most useful if the tape is wide enough to print 4 lines, so that I can have for example a readable label with pinout information on the back of a small board. EDIT: Holy crap HEAT SHRINK TUBING LABELS exist! --- End quote --- Quite a few of the Brother ones do up to 24mm wide tape, so you can get quite a few lines of text on them, especially if you are happy with smaller font sizes. My E550W will also connect to a smartphone so you can print out (low res) pictures, and your own designs you make using the app. The heatshrink labels are super good for making really nice sleeve cable ID's, even better than the Hellerman marker ferrules. |
| mendip_discovery:
At work we use the P touch PT-P750W Its isn't too bulky and can use mains and batteries (or pack). Has USB, NFC or WiFi connections. The only downside is the p-touch software as it's a but odd at times but overall it's good. I have done over 40k of labels on mine and only swapped for a newer one a few months back. The labels are really nice as they stick well but you do have a hour or so before they really start to stick. But even then they still come off easily. They cope ok with most conditions even oily ones. The only time they do become a bit of an arse is when they go through lots of hot/cold cycles as I have found the white bit stays on and the clear bit peals off, still not as much of an arse to clean than paper labels so I wont complain. At home I have a handheld one as it was being chucked out of a customer's place as the battery was dead. Use it to label all the sorted nuts and bolts boxes. Even used different colours for electical stuff and mech stuff. |
| berke:
Thanks a lot, now I have to buy another piece of equipment! ;D The desktop version is interesting but I need to label all the wiring in my house, OTOH being able to print something defined on the computer is also very useful. Also I'm allergic to Windows and BT and WiFi. There seems to be a hand-held version with USB connectivity that should do the trick. |
| PlainName:
--- Quote ---The Sharpie traces wear off with abrasion and common solvents, but you could add a layer of transparent tape on top. --- End quote --- Not good for long term. I have the pukka Hellerman cable labels where you write on them with felt tip then the clear part of the label sticks over that. OK for a year or two by now my scribbles are worse than doctor's notes. Only way I can tell wtf they are is because I happened to use different coloured pens. |
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