Label Printer For Small Stickers For Small Cables - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 08:11:55 pm
content: Hi,do you know where can I find a label printer where prints small labels for cables like these in the below image. Also, these label don't fade/erase with Isopropyl Alcohol like the stickers from Dymo printer that I have. These stickers are a kind of glossy stickers that the printed letters resist in Isopropyl Alcohol.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 08:27:11 pm
content: Gurgle: Heat Shrink printer

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 08:34:38 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on August 09, 2024, 08:27:11 pmThanks for your reply but I don't think that these heatshrinks will fit in my cables. My cables have diameter of 0.5mm, so only stickers I could use on them.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 08:45:27 pm
content: Brother Label Printer for TZe tapes...We have one of these in the test field for cable labeling.The P-Touch software even has a template for this.https://www.brother.de/etiketten-und-belegdrucker/p-touch-beschriftungsgeraete

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 08:46:30 pm
content: Quote from: 2X on August 09, 2024, 08:34:38 pmThere's crossover between heat shrink printers and cable label printers. This might help you:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SLMHV8K/

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 08:49:39 pm
content: I don't know what they are called. But:At work we used what looked like white heat shrink (but they don't shrink) that a wire ran through which had the text printed on the outside. I don't remember the ink coming off with IPA. Maybe someone knows what they are called.

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 09:14:07 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 09, 2024, 08:46:30 pmWe use Tyco heat shrink printers at work, the thermal print does however wear off with the cleaners we use, it's all too expensive for hobby use.https://www.te.com/en/products/identification-labeling/printers-software-and-accessories/printers.html?tab=pgp-storyThe older version of the printer isn't very robust either, the plastic prongs that lock the printhead down broke very quickly, they changed them under warranty with modified version, that finally broke last year, but can still be used if you press the mechanism down while printing. No idea if they improved this since.We did get a replacement printer, but none of the highly paid idiots in the office thought about getting the required newer software to use it.David

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 10:13:19 pm
content: I found the belowBROTHER TZE-211Label Printer Tape, Adhesive-Laminated, Black on White, 8 m x 6 mmhttps://my.element14.com/brother/tze-211/tape-black-on-white-6mm-w-8m-l/dp/603351As it writes these tapes are:High quality Brother Genuine Supplies Tested to be resistant to fading, water, chemicals, abrasion and temperature extremes, so I beleive will do for the use that I want.https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2819962.pdfBROTHER PT-P700https://my.element14.com/brother/pt-p700/pc-labelling-machine-24mm/dp/2523102

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 10:21:37 pm
content: QuoteI can confirm this, we use it to mark programmed chips, among other things.After checking the circuit boards with these chips on them, they are painted for insulation reasons.The paint does not attack the writing.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 11:25:38 pm
content: Quote from: 2X on August 09, 2024, 08:11:55 pmJust regular Brother TZe tapes work great for flags.Brother expressly recommends the Flexible ID tapes for flags, too. See page 8 of their durability guide:https://www.brother.eu/-/media/product-downloads/devices/nordics/eu_en/labelling-machines/2022-tze-tapes-booklet-160-x-227mm_eng_web.pdfIf you want to print labels that wrap around the wire instead, make sure to get the “flexible ID” tape from Brother. The regular one will eventually uncurl itself. (This is just a general suggestion; this wire is too thin to wrap.)I HIGHLY suggest spending the money for one of the Brother models made specifically for electrical work (the orange ones). They cost more, but have really useful cable and terminal labeling functions that the cheap office models lack. And they support the heat shrink tubing. (For very small wires, you can always “bulk up” the wire first with some other heat shrink, then put the printed heat shrink over it.)

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 11:27:26 pm
content: +1 to this.

author: rfindley
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 07:05:38 am
content: I've used Epson Labelworks tapes (similar to the Brother TZe tapes) to label wires as small as 34awg (0.16mm) in a "flag" style. The PC software has a template for printing the flags on both sides, with an optional fold-line to help line up the center of the label on the wire.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 02:42:24 pm
content: This is not cheap but it will do nice jobs for wires marking including the heat shrink type.https://www.wago.com/us/marking/thermal-transfer-printer/p/258-5107This will do the labels like the ones in the OP pictureshttps://www.bradyid.com/label-printers/portable/m210-handheld-label-maker-pid-152260?s_kwcid=AL!10720!3!254373790220!!!g!325425753764!&cid=ppc&camp=ppc-us-nonbrand-google.com-shopping-catch_all-54211599482-M210&cid=ppc&s_kwcid=AL!10720!3!254373790220!!!g!325425753764!&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwuG1BhCnARIsAFWBUC0nbRXs9L0k5lW4YSaBeSa_xv7adUORp5bnAJVHrr8-feW1osyyj1YaAvuTEALw_wcB

author: GLouie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 03:26:17 pm
content: I have tried the Dymo Rhino (industrial) tapes and Brother Tze industrial, and prefer the Brother. I have not tried others like Brady, nor labelers for general home/office use. Users may see the industrial products cost more, I think there is a reason. I have small bottles of alcohols with Dymo Rhino labels and have not seen any wear.Be very careful about the tape material and adhesive descriptions, there are many. Some are meant to be removable, some permanent, some permanent for rough surfaces. There's vinyl, poylester, maybe others.I have less problems with "flags" as shown by OP, but even the Brother tape recommended for wraparound cable marking has sometimes unfurled on me after a few years. Some people will put clear heatshrink over it, but that requires the cable end being free.The printable heatshrink seems pretty expensive to me, I haven't tried it to test the durability. It also has limited sizes and colors.Dymo Rhino thermal prints onto the top of the tape, where Brother Tze prints onto an intermediate layer which gets covered with another layer for protection, making it more wear resistant, and shinier. It's somewhat easier to rub off Dymo Rhino labels.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 03:47:02 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on August 11, 2024, 02:42:24 pmThe BRady M610 is more suitable IMHO as this can print labels with an adhesive tail.See here:https://www.bradyid.com/wire-cable-labels/flagsI've seen these used for a project I'm involved in and these labels work very well on thin wiring.In my experience the Brother / Dymo labels are less suitable for marking wires as the glue tends to let go.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 04:01:28 pm
content: By the way... these stickers in my picture I beleive that must be done from a custom printing because they don't have 90degree angle (yellow circles) at the ends and all the printers that I have found cut with 90degree angles at the ends.P.S. Many thanks to all of you for your helpful replies.

author: rfindley
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 04:51:15 pm
content: My Epson LabelWorks printer has a built-in "corner trimmer" for optionally cutting round corners after the label is printed. You just insert each corner into a slot, and it nips that corner. It does seem to reduce the likelihood of labels peeling loose.So anyway, rounded corners don't necessarily mean custom printing.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 05:18:13 pm
content: Quote from: rfindley on August 11, 2024, 04:51:15 pmDoes anyone knows if brother have this feature?

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 07:35:34 pm
content: I think they have normal blades, so they cut straight.I'll put a label on an AWG 30 wire tomorrow to see if it's easy.I have never had any problems with the adhesion of TZe tapes, as always it depends on the surface how (long) something sticks.I would also like to have the orange industrial Brother for work, but the "old" one would have to fall off somehow or something...

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 07:50:01 pm
content: I like my Brother PTH-111, that's the most basic model that still does cable flags and electrical symbols.

author: GLouie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 08:24:32 pm
content: I just use scissors to trim cable flags after applying them. Usually you never get the flag perfectly straight when sticking it to itself, so a manual trim after applying cleans up the flag.Also, it's impossible to control the blank spacing on most printers, so some manual trimming is called for.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 09:37:16 pm
content: I have Brother PT-E550WVP.Very reliable and original labels are excellent.You have thermal shrink tubing also.There are also non-original labels if you don't need best quality.Great product.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 09:43:08 pm
content: Quote from: 2X on August 11, 2024, 04:01:28 pmLooks to me like those might even have been done on a dot-matrix printer!Anyway, those are probably just normal rectangular polyester labels, of the kind bought by the sheet that you put into a regular desktop printer.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2024, 08:49:19 pm
content: Finally, I bought the Brother P-touch PT-P700 and the labels are indeed chemical resistant (at least in Isopropyl Alcohol and lighter fluid). The software is very versatile and it has many wizard labels for different applications. The only downside for me is that I can't print a label/sticker with length smaller than 25mm with auto cutting (I don't know if this can do it another model of Brother... if anyone knows please write it).Thanks all of you for you opinions... I am very pleased with this purchase.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2024, 09:08:22 pm
content: I mostly buy the cheap knockoff TZe cartridges for more temporary label jobs, and even those handle the sanitizing dishwasher, outdoors, extra cold freezer, etc. very well. Held to a flame the label will shrivel and melt before it discolors or fades.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2024, 09:24:09 pm
content: Be aware that the Brother P-touch CUBE (and maybe others) has an annoying thing where it will push out 2cm of label and cut it off to 'prime' itself every time you print. So you waste lots of your label tape.You can print multiple copies at once and it will only do that once, or turn off the cutting feature, but in normal operation every time you send something new to the printer it wastes 2cm of label.It's been engineered so you use up the labels quicker so you need to buy more(Pretty sure it's because the motor can only run in one direction and not pull the tape back in, so it has to cut it off each time)examplehttps://youtu.be/m-lxpSKFZvU?t=238

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2024, 09:31:36 pm
content: We have “professional” label printers at work, each in the 4-digit price range.They have a lead of almost 10 cm that cannot be removed...

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2024, 09:41:21 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 15, 2024, 09:24:09 pm"the printer it wastes 2cm of label."yes you have right about that.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 12:19:20 pm
content: Quote from: BrokenYugo on August 11, 2024, 07:50:01 pmAFAIK all models have basic electrical symbols.The ones that are truly designed for electrical use not only have more symbols, but have really comprehensive electrical labeling functions (like making continuous labels for terminal block rails, with the ability to set the width individually for each module). They also print the heat-shrink tubing (which I consider a massive benefit), support wider tapes, print at higher resolution and higher speed, and have a superior cutter, which can do the extremely useful “half cut” which only cuts the tape, but not the backing. This means they can cut shorter labels, and can save tape when printing label series, by printing them all as one strip with each label individually cut on the shared backing. (Many P-touch printers have the related “chain print” function, which does nearly all these things, but cuts the backing too, limiting minimum label length.)IMHO it’s well worth it to spend more on the true professional models.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 12:52:35 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 15, 2024, 09:24:09 pmAll P-touch printers that use TZe (and the older TZ) tapes have the waste, but it’s really not some conspiracy. It makes complete sense if you actually look at the print mechanism and label design, and consider why it is designed the way it is. I cannot envision any way to design the system in a way that is _significantly_ more economical with the tape.It’s not because they lack a bidirectional motor,* but because these arelaminatedlabels, and the ~2cm is the distance between the print head and the cutter. There needs to be a short distance between the cutter and the laminating rollers that bring together the (non-adhesive) laminating tape and the double-sided adhesive tape which determines the label color. The text is printed via thermal transfer onto the inside of the laminating tape. Realistically, it would be very difficult to design the system with significantly less distance than the 2cm, because of the number of things in that space: the print head, pinch roller for the print head, capstan and pinch roller that press together the lamination as well as advance the tape through the machine, guides to prevent the lamination tape and double-sided tape from touching prematurely, and to prevent the double-sided tape from touching the ink ribbon, and an idler to guide the spent ink ribbon to its take-up reel. The gap between the cutter and lamination rollers is necessary so that the layers can’t come apart by accident when handling the cassettes. (Realigning the layers is extremely hard to do accurately by hand, so they designed it so they’re joined at the factory and the user never needs to do it.)Yes, there are TZe cassettes that aren’t laminated (including a few non-laminated labels, but mostly for the heat shrink tubing, gift-wrap/decorative ribbons, and the stencil tapes), but since the TZe mechanism is designed around laminated labels, the media path can’t be optimized to be more conservative with non-laminated tapes.So while it’s absolutely frustrating that some tape is wasted on each print job, I don’t really see how it could be improved. The real frustration, though, isn’t from the waste as such, but from knowing that the wasted tape is quite expensive. But there’s an easy fix for this: buy generic cassettes! They’re like $2 each, and I can tell you from experience that you quickly learn to ignore waste tape when you know it costs next to nothing.Commercial label printers that cost thousands use separate motors and gears so they can advance the ink ribbon and label separately, and many of these use sensors to not only detect the gaps between labels, but to detect the cut end, so they can then retract the label roll to print on the first one. But these don’t laminate the labels. (AFAIK a separate lamination unit can be added to some models, but these also need some space, which also gets wasted if you just need one label.)*The motor isn’t bidirectional, but that’s because the laminating process means that tape must not be retracted under any circumstances. (Trying to do so by hand will ruin the cassette, as will attempting to pull on the tape by hand, which pulls the tape through the lamination rollers, but doesn’t advance the ink ribbon take up reel, so the ribbon gets pulled into the lamination rollers.)

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 01:18:51 pm
content: At least on my printer you can choose cutting program.If you are printing many (different) labels, but all in one go, you can set printer to CUT but not EJECT immediately. You edit and print them all, on by one, and on the last one you issue command eject and cut.That way you get one long snake with all labels on it, and then you peel them off in order and stick them where they go.By doing that you only get one wasted 2cm of tape on beginning.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 01:23:28 pm
content: Quote from: 2X on August 15, 2024, 08:49:19 pmThe models that are capable of “half cut” (the “dual blade” cutter that can cut the tape without cutting the paper backing tape), like the PT-P900 series and PT-E500 series, can cut the label shorter, but for individual labels, the remainder is wasted. Using the chain print feature, only the initial leader is wasted.The PT-P900 series says 4mm minimum length, the PT-E500 series 10mm.Oh yeah, Brother recently released the FLe series of cable flags. But they only work with certain printers that accept 36mm tapes: the PT-P900 series and the PT-E800W.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 01:25:29 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on August 16, 2024, 01:18:51 pmThat’s the “chain print” function I mentioned earlier.On printers with the advanced automatic cutter that can do half-cut, you get the labels cut individually on a single backing paper.On printers with the standard automatic cutter that can only cut all the way through, chain print spits out individual labels, but you have to then manually eject the last one.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 01:26:38 pm
content: As an FYI, I found in one Brother manual that the ~2cm is actually 22.3mm.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 03:45:24 pm
content: One feature that I found very useful for me is the printing labels from excel.Printing From Excel to P - Touch or Brother QL-1100 and 810 printersCreating Spreadsheets with P Touch Editor

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 04:18:01 pm
content: With one manufacturer's labels (not sure if Dymo or Brother) I found the polyester label didn't like to crease around a very small radius. The result was that it wouldn't stick in roll manner at at all and if placed as a flag the crease would unstick itself. The same manufacturer also offered a paper label and this was fine though it may be less resistant to washing.Before these label makers were available we used to print or write labels on paper and then place them inside clear heatshrink. This is more fiddly but completely protects the writing as the label is on the inside rather than outside of the heatshrink.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 11:12:52 pm
content: Quote from: artag on August 16, 2024, 04:18:01 pmThe regular Brother TZe tapes will eventually try to revert to flat when applied to small radiuses on corners or cables. The “Flexible ID” tapes (TZe-FX series) look and feel the same, but are made of a different material that doesn’t revert to flat. Brother recommends the Flexible ID labels for all cable labeling. I actually don’t know why you wouldn’t use them for everything; I can’t see any aspect in which they’re inferior to the standard ones, and the difference in cost is minimal.Brother’s own durability data doesn’t indicate any application where the Flexible ID tape performs worse than standard, and several where it does better:https://www.brother.eu/-/media/product-downloads/devices/nordics/eu_en/labelling-machines/2022-tze-tapes-booklet-160-x-227mm_eng_web.pdfI have also found mention of a TZe-SL series of “self-laminating” tapes specifically for labeling network cables, which look like they might be ones with opaque base tape only on one part, so that the clear tape wraps over the printing multiple times.See also:https://www.brother.eu/-/media/product-downloads/devices/nordics/eu_en/pro-tape/a5-civ-tape-label-catalogue_v3_eng_jun24_web.pdfQuote from: artag on August 16, 2024, 04:18:01 pmSure. I have done the same. But for most cables, unnecessary since all the relevant TZe tapes are laminated already. Good trick for making the HSe heat shrink printing more durable.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 11:17:47 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 11, 2024, 03:47:02 pmUsing the regular tapes or the Flexible ID tapes Brother specifically recommends for wires?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2024, 11:23:18 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on August 11, 2024, 02:42:24 pmAnother department at work hasone of thosethe old version of that.* It seems like one of the most cost-effective printers of its type, in that both the machine and its consumables are quite competitively priced. (Especially if you can order consumables directly from WAGO and negotiate a good discount.)It’s one of the printers that ejects the cut end of the roll of labels/tags quite far, making you think it’ll waste a lot, but then it retracts it back in to print right at the cut end.*the new version, aside from having a different color enclosure, appears to differ only in having a more powerful internal controller board that allows for unlimited marking strip length.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2024, 12:13:05 am
content: Quote from: tooki on August 16, 2024, 11:23:18 pmNice looking device. I wonder if Zebra make it for Wago, the design looks so similar to Zebra TLP paper label printers etc. If so, it will probably last forever, knowing how reliable the Zebra machines are!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2024, 01:11:16 pm
content: Quote from: shabaz on August 17, 2024, 12:13:05 amIt is not a Zebra. The Wago only resembles the Zebra insofar as they are both share the basic body plan of midsize desktop label printers. None of the details in any way look alike.On the other hand, it’s a dead ringer for the GoDEX RT230i, including in fundamental specs, as well as details like the shapes of latches and control panel layout. Without a doubt, that’s the printer the WAGO is based on. But the print mechanism might be slightly modified to allow it to feed much narrower and much thicker materials than the GoDEX can. (The thickness is accommodated by having different rollers to swap in, some with grooves to “countersink” thick materials.) Wago’s optional cutter accessory is completely different from GoDEX’s, probably to be able to cut thicker materials.

author: chrisc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 17, 2024, 03:04:07 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on August 16, 2024, 11:12:52 pmI second this. I dicked around with various label printers over the past 20 years until I decided to fork out for a BrotherPT-E550WVP. The tapes are ultra-cheap if you buy generic and the Flexible ID tape sticks and stays stuck when the cable flexes. No non-stretchable cable labels can achieve that. It also handles printing on heat-shrink tube-type labels if you want to go that way, though note their widest heat-shrink (24mm) isnot quitewide enough to fit over the end of an RJ45 that has a boot fittedOP, these printers are beasts - they can print dozens of labels at once with only one single leader as they have the ability to do a half-cut (slice through the label material while leaving the backing intact). You can set spacing and auto-increment of labels and as such print a single label for a 24-port Ethernet switch or a fuse board.They also have one really interesting tape called the "Stencil". When printed the part that would normally form letters is in fact removed from the tape. Hence if you stick it on something you can etch it or label it with ink directly. Haven't tried etching glass with it yet but the usual electro-etching of metal works fine. You then remove and discard the tape.There's a decent keyboard (which is what I use most of the time), a WiFi interface and USB also. They seem to be selling for around AU$250 at the moment, which is what I paid a few years ago so the price seems stable.I've attached the current tape catalog and tape technical data in case it's of interest to readers of this thread.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2024, 11:36:37 am
content: The Flexible ID tapes aren't actually stretchy, though. It really surprised me when I first tried them. They just don't have "memory" of their unbent, flat state like the regular tapes do. Those want to flatten out eventually. The Flexible ID tapes are happy to stay wrapped tightly or bent around a tight corner (even with only a small length on one side).There actually is a 31mm heat shrink tube (HSe-261E). Not sure why Brother's own tape overview omits it! Of course, the PT-E500 series can't print them, since it maxes out at 24mm. You need a PT-P900 series or PT-E800W.