Making Labels

[sheaper]

I have tried many various methods of labeling my trees but have found the vinyl tree tags that all the nurseries use to be the best. 

So... naturally i went down the rabbit hole of thermal transfer printers and acquired a TSC-TTP-247 with all of the supplies.
I used BarTender Lite as an application for printing tree labels and it has been going "OK"

I would like more control and creativity in the design of the printing and was wondering if any of you had attempted this?

Any help is appreciated
Thanks!

[brian]

The best simple labeling solution I have found so far is a plain Dymo embossing label printer.  I use a tiny hole punch to make a wire hole once the label is made

The fanciest solution I've used is a CNC milling machine to engrave aluminum plates    Not simple, but I use it for labelling my large in-ground trees

[sheaper]

I have a dymo labeler and didn’t think of just punching a hole in them thanks!

That should work very well for my quicker purposes and things with shorter names or ones I’m able to abbreviate.

Love the CNC idea I’ve seen people selling those online

[Lauta_hibrid]

Maybe it's the least elegant of all hehe 😅, but I have a method that mixes economy, recycling and efficiency. Basically I cut the lid of an aluminum soda can lengthwise making small strips, I put it on a not very hard wood and I engrave the name and date with a non-working pen. I make a hole and pass an aluminum wire through to tie it. And that's it, it doesn't rust and the name doesn't fade, you can see the engraving when shining a light on it.

[cassowary]

I use mainly aluminum tags with copper wire and then I scratch them.
Can get a lot of 1000 quite cheap. The soda label is good too!!
On small trees i hang them on branches. On big trees i tie the label onto a long stainless steel or brass screw. I dont screw it all the way in and every 2 year i screw it out a bit.

Otherwise colorbond (prepainted) steel roofing sheets are good too. You just scratch away the paint. There are special metal scracher markers which are good for that and the aluminum tags.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Tungsten-Carbide-Scriber-Magnet-Engraving/dp/B07BHHHHMZ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A284DX6YT8AJ04

Love the CNC engraving method, maybe one day i can justify the price.

Could also also use laser to etch or you can use chemichal etching, that way you might be able to make screen prints on copper or aluminium. Only done that on electric control boards at work.

The most mighty option might be an engraved rock at the base of the tree with gold inlay

[sheaper]

Mmmmm gold embossing seems like the best option here ill go for that ; )


Man thanks guys! Excellent info those are all great ideas!

[sheaper]

If anyone reading this has experience with a label design software for thermal printers they really like id like some information on that too. Thanks!

[MasOlas]

Is the Dymo label the same as a P Touch which I already have?

[seng]

My way is cheap as well.  I keep all my old window vinyl blind.  I cut them into pieces for label.  I use acrylic pen to write on them.  I rip up old t-shirt to small strip to tie the label to branch.

Vinyl last about 30 years or so.  Acrylic ink and T-shirt out of the sun last a few years.

[brian]

Is the Dymo label the same as a P Touch which I already have?

Dymo makes both modern printed labelmakers and old style embossed labels - raised latters made by a partial punch.  I use the raised letter embossing type.  Not familiar with p-touch

[MasOlas]

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-P-touch-PTM95-Styles-Patterns/dp/B01GQHHYFE/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_vs_ar?crid=NRUANO11SXFX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.prLbgzod2Uomm1kIbXyuT94BbazzuCVL80v3hf2jTQih-A5oF_6DB3Qp3mPdvxV1FwgITCkvkwvYurN8_TZacRJ08i65JGjH248FmHA2rvwY2tVQozaIRf_4e1Hn9pQIQrNoYLEKWpQknop57KFYFykFDSBOmribOyKPYEciYTwBJkEFc7xS3vBYBCGru1DopeontrtQvjGsO-nTBoSfcw.Od0xv9DSv8zcgMCKu-98UxQ3UMtvCglLhs2WIwld99w&dib_tag=se&keywords=p+touch+label+maker&qid=1732359369&sprefix=p+tou%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-4

[cassowary]

Brian,
Didn't realise they make embossing machines. And they are not expensive too.
That would be great for the nursery.
 
https://www.dymo.com/label-makers-printers/embossing-label-makers/

[Tortuga]

I also use the aluminum cans but they aren’t my favorite. I’m Taking notes guys

[Stephiebby]

We are planning to go the laser engraving route. Found a reasonably priced one on FBMP and seems easy enough. Waiting for our shed to get finished before we start making them as we don’t have room in the house.

[sheaper]

what type of laser engraver are you getting?

[Stephiebby]

what type of laser engraver are you getting?

We got an Omtech K40. It’s contained so no harsh fumes and we have a cooler so it doesnt overheat.

[jbirdfunk]

I’ve cut aluminum sheet metal (not sure alloy) and engraved them but they corroded beyond recognition when near the ground. Same with aluminum can tags, eventually they are really hard to read and occasionally really degraded away.

I recently bought a DYMO m1011 in the case, used. I wanted the more retro version but found a great deal on this one. Does aluminum and stainless steel tape. The embossing should be legible much longer on aluminum and probably near forever on more expensive stainless tape.