Phenolic Tags ( Plastic Tags ) or Metal Tags ( Aluminum Tags ) ? What is the better product?
You need to purchase tags for some kind of application, that’s why you’re here. This article will help you to decide on what tag material or substrate will best fit your requirements. Maybe you need Phenolic Tags or maybe something more like Aluminum? We will start with a few basic questions to help determine the basis of what you need. We will discuss the following materials to offer guidance that pertains to your immediate tagging need and requirement.
Aluminum Tags – Stainless Steel TAGS – Brass TAGS – Gravoply Plastic TAGS – PHENOLIC TAGS – Polyester TAGS – Polycarbonate TAGS – VINYL TAGS
#1) Durability – Are your tags going to be subjected to the harsh outdoor elements? Maybe they are simply being installed onto a control panel or power system that is kept indoors and within a climate controlled environment. Metal Tags are almost always a sure bet, although Phenolic Tags could work, depending on your environment, Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags are not really the most durable approach, though the color stands out nicely.
Anodized Aluminum Metal Tags VS. Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags – They are known as the best two materials to produce tags with in regards to harsh environments. Generally speaking I usually sway towards Aluminum Metal Tags as they are light-weight and will not corrode. Stainless Steel Metal Tags have been known to contain corrosive properties over long periods of time based on various chemicals, temperature and especially exposure to nature and are much more durable than Phenolic Tags.
Aluminum Metal Tags & Data Plates ( Metal Tags )
Aluminum Metal Tags can be supplied in varying thickness from the ultra thin .003″ – .25″. When produced in a thin format such as .003″ Aluminum Metal Tags extremely ideal for electrical equipment and machinery that may require barcoding, variable data, or information that specifically applies to inventory and tracking. Proper examples would be power supplies, small motors, pumps, laptops or tablets issued in bulk volume throughout an organization. Thin Aluminum labels and Metal Tags are difficult to remove and can be produced in a tamper-proof format to help discourage theft.
.003 Aluminum Metal Tags are ideal for surfaces that are concave or rounded as the thin material supplies the ability for your labels or tags to wrap AROUND an object such as a small Capstan motor or pump.
Aluminum Metal Tags ranging from a thickness of .020 – .25″ are almost all equally durable provided they are directly mounted to a flat surface with screws or bolts. High-Strength Adhesives may be used but to retain the ultimate durability we always encourage our customers to install with hardware and not adhesive.
Stainless Steel Metal Tags & Data Plates
Stainless Steel Metal Tags can be supplied in varying thickness from .020 – .5″ in thickness. Metal Tags and Data plates that are manufactured out of Stainless Steel are ideal for harsh environments where they are subjected to physical abuse and chemical abuse. (physical impact or solvents/chemical agents). Phenolic tags are no good around chemical agents, solvents or harsh chemicals.
Proper application examples would be motors, boiler systems, heat exchangers, power systems or engine parts. Stainless steel Metal Tags do not contour very well, but it sure does hold up and is easy to clean. A large majority of Metal Tags and Data plates are made from Stainless Steel for reasons of durability, aethetics and sanitary properties. It is very easy to wipe down stainless and it cleans up nicely.
Brass Tags Metal Tags
Metal Tags created from Brass can be supplied in varying thickness from .020 – .1875″ in thickness as it’s much harder to cut with a laser. Valve tags are often manufactured out of Brass and are ideal for harsh environments where they are subjected to physical abuse and chemical abuse. However Brass Tags are known to tarnish over time into a red or greenish color.
Proper application for Brass Tags would be valves, pumps, boiler systems, heat exchangers, or power systems. Brass does not contour very well around a part due to the thicker nature, but it sure does hold up and is easy to clean. A large majority of Metal Tags are made from Brass for reasons of durability, aesthetics and sanitary properties. It is very easy to wipe down brass and it cleans up nicely. It is much more durable than Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags.
Phenolic Tags Plastic Tags & Signs
Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags can be supplied in varying thickness from .020 – .1875″ in thickness and it is very easy to cut with a laser. Most Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags are often manufactured out of Plastic and they can withstand physical abuse and easily be removed and reapplied when needed. However Phenolic Tags or Plastic tags are sensitive to harsh solvents and chemicals which can cause imperfections in the background color of the tag to “bubble or smear”. Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags are available in over one-hundred different color schemes. Learn more about Plastic Tags Here
Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags Are Available in Lots of Colors!
Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags are great because we supply them with adhesive or custom cut holes very easily into the corners/sides of the material. We can easily laser-cut holes in various places if you require tags for control panels for knobs, buttons or switches. Proper application for Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags would be breaker boxes, valves, pumps, control panels, boiler systems, electrical components, or power systems. Phenolic Tags or Plastic tags can contour very well around a part in thinner formats like .020″ or .03125″. A majority of Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags are made from plastic for reasons of durability, aesthetics and sanitary properties. It is very easy to wipe down plastic with 71% alcohol and it cleans up nicely 🙂 Our typical Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags available in thickness ranging from .03125″ up to .125″. Phenolic Tags or Plastic Tags can be cut to virtually any shape imaginable. Phenolic Tags and Plastic Tags are a must have application no matter what industry you might happen to fall into – Phenolic Tags come in the coolest colors.