Advice for device labeling - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pisoiu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 03:51:47 pm
content: Hi all,I need some advice. I have to deliver to my clients various devices to be used to interact with users, usually personalized, in automotive environment. The devices consists on a 80x80mm hammond box, a pcb inside with 12 RGB leds and 2 push buttons. Over the box I have to stick a label to indicate leds and button functions. I'm stuck at this point, I don't know how to manufacture this label. Quantities are low , usually <50, labels can be different for different customers.I need a printing solution for this. Some requirements are:-labels must withstand high temperature, they are primary used in cars, so, full sun exposure on the dashboard.-must withstand daily abrasion by hand pushing buttons or rubbing panel face-must be incolour/transparent when not printed, to allow light from leds to pass throughI don't have too much experience in this area so if anyone knows, please recommend me a printer/material/solution suited for this purpose. Currently the only label I use is a thin adhesive label, printed with brother p-touch printer, but that label is only for serial numbering and is on a hidden place of another device, which does not interact with user.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 04:34:44 pm
content: Yikes, I usually get Lexan membranes done for this but you need a CAD drawing IIRC for that. Suppliers can make that for you too.They can also punch out the holes for you.Pitfalls: you need to know your Pantone CMS (or similar) codes.Can you try with transparent labels first?https://www.staples.ca/products/989776-en-avery-clear-glossy-laserinkjet-print-to-the-edge-rectangular-labels-2-x-3-80pack-22822An afternoon with a printer and a X-Acto will give you some results if you want to DIY.Edit: oh yeah, and to make it more robust, just stick a blank label over the printed one. It's not super strong but who knows.This is the Canadian company I used before...http://decoramametal.com/produits/I'd be surprised if there wasn't a similar company locally for you.Or just go to China. The last time I think these guyshttps://www.icape-group.com/said they could get small quantities done.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 06:41:56 pm
content: I have this need as well. My first idea was to use a CNC router to make label plates out ofbicolor engraving sheets. Lots of choice and sources out there. Engraves acceptable lettering that is about 4 mm high or larger. Can do diagrams/lines/symbols as well. Very durable for a workshop environment and I can make a couple hundred in an hour or so. Finished cost to me works out to be about $0.10 USD per square inch. The drawback is it can't do perfectly square inside corners (tool radius is the limit) and you need a decent CNC router/engraver.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 09:01:03 pm
content: Are the buttons to be mounted behind the label meaning the label needs to cope with that or are they physical buttons mounted on the panel itself?Either way, you can absolutely get low volume custom labels with a proper robust adhesive, cutouts or transparent sections for displays/LEDs, the cost depends on how many colours, and how far afield you want to source etc.Lexan(Polycarbonate) is fine if you aren't using it with buttons behind, but less good if you are or your environment is nasty, at which point PET is better. We make a lot of products with push buttons mounted on the PCB in an enclosure with a PET label over the front. Typically these have been too low volume to justify a more expensive to tool, less reliable membrane keypad, but the economics of that are changing.Thicker labels are easier to apply without bubbles and kinks, but depending what you need, thin vinyl ones can come on a reel from a range of sources including your local print shop or some random on Amazon/Ali/eBay.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2021, 04:37:01 pm
content: I used to buy some stuff from Vital Presentation Concepts that was a film that could be exposed with artwork to transfer dye to one side of a plastic sheet. You then peel it and stick the sheet onto a double-sided sticky vinyl sheet. See :https://www.vpcinc.com/category/Labels-Placards-and-Decals-48.cfmThe printed image is on the back of the front sheet, so it is protected from wear.Here's a pic of one of those moduleshttp://pico-systems.com/gentim.htmlThe stuff I used is no longer available, but they have something you can print on a laser or inkjet printer that works the same way. I have not yet used it. But, I'm guessing you can probably obtain similar materials to do it yourself. You need some thin transparency film to print the image on, and a vinyl sheet with pressure sensitive adhesive on both sides. You spray the sheets with some kind of detergenty stuff before laminating, and then use a rubber roller to squeeze out any air bubbles. Trim edges with an X-acto knife.Jon

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 03:19:03 am
content: The problem with inkjet is the colors fade fairly fast. Laser printer black is pretty durable, I'm not sure about color.

author: pisoiu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 12:49:06 pm
content: Thanks for tips friends. I will look into them.The buttons are mounted behind label, but that's not a unchangeable thing. Depending on pros or cons I may change them to other types, if the label is not strong enough.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 03:57:53 pm
content: Quote from: phil from seattle on March 15, 2021, 03:19:03 amYes, absolutely right, ink jet dyes are terrible, ink jet pigment is better, if you know which printers use that type of ink.Color laser printer toner is apparently also pretty good, but obviously you can't beat carbon for stability.Jon