cable labeling

[matt freeman]

I'm after ways of marking cables with length, type etc and am looking for the best way to do it.

Ive found the obvious ways, those dymo label printers. but I'm wondering if there are better ways. heat shrink came to my mind, but I wasn't certain how to write things on heat shrink.

all ideas welcome,

 

Matt

[paulears]

transparent heat shrink, with a paper label under it is the cheapest method. For a recent job I came accross somebody on eBay selling cable ties with a small label plate sticking out that could be written on - rather clever.

[pritch]

Depending on how flush you're feeling, you can get label printers that print onto heatshrink. Not cheap, though.

[Ynot]

For a recent job I came accross somebody on eBay selling cable ties with a small label plate sticking out that could be written on

I guess you mean this sort, Paul.

We've used a lot of these in the past, and yes - they are convenient to use BUT there's a minor drawback....

If you use these on cables that get used & re-coiled you WILL end up at some stage catching your hands/fingers on these when coiling! OK - not enough to draw blood, but will give you a bit of a scratch if not careful!

 

However, other than that, they are easy to use and pretty permanent.

 

TD

[robloxley]

Brady self-laminating cable markers for cable ID, or Dymo under clear heatshrink.

LX tape or other marking scheme for length (neutrik coloured rings for XLRs) - do a search for previous threads for common schemes in use.

[bruce]

There's some more discussion HERE.

 

You've got to think about why you're marking it. Is it for rapid identification - ie being able to reach into a box and quickly find a 10m cable - or inventory/stock control - or is it to prove that it's yours (in which case, you need a marking that is not easily removable).

 

 

My current favourite for my own kit is p-touch labels under clear heatshrink; at work we use a brady labeller for marking wires and p-touch for most other things.

 

If you're not bothered about having hand-written labels - and it's often cheaper to write them by hand rather than use a machine - then you can get wrap-round labels, much the same as used by the Brady machine. Basically a sheet of sticky labels, about an inch wide and 2 inches long. A strip across the narrow end is white, the rest is clear. You write the details on the white bit, then stick that onto the cable end and wrap the clear bit round, so the writing gets encapsulated. At work, we have installation cables that were put in 30 years ago that were marked up this way, and they're still perfectly legible.

[pyromonkey]

If you have a few spare pennys Le Mark do some good tape for marking cable Legnths. Great once they have had some heatshrink on them.

[Neil Frazer]

Personally, I find it a lot easier to find a specific cable length if it has a colour.

A ring of coloured lx tape and a ptouch label under some clear heat shrink would be ideal.

Its much easier to find the right length in a pile of cable.

Almost all the hire companies I use have this method.

[Pete]

Bands of LX tape (with heat shrink if your making new cables) are my favourite,look in the box find the colour-Sorted.

 

Contact me off board Matt if you want the scheme I use.

 

edited to correct post!

[Calder]

Have a look at Kroy Label Printers, there is a nice guy called James in sales who will send you a demo machine. I currently have a unit on demo and have purchased one in the past (for another company). Prints directly onto heat shrink and will do a variety of label sizes, however best to buy the machine around the £500.00 mark as it is far more economical than the cheaper machines.

 

Thanks (in haste)

 

Calder

[dbuckley]

I've got a Kroy, but not actually used it for cables really, despite having the heatshrink consumables. I'm still using Lx tape with the White Light colour code, sometimes under heatshrink. A few cables are bits of paper under heatshrink. Experience says that its more important to be consistent.

[Soundie]

I have recently started a new standard for my place of work. I use sticky labels, like address labels and print onto them a white on black logo and a written length on a colour coded background. These are then heat shrinked into place.

 

I have to say that it looks very good and serves lots of purposes all at once. I will try and get around to posting up a picture next time im in work.

 

Im interested in hearing what colour codes people use, I kinda made up my own based on some existing colours we had knocking around and a hire companies code. Again, will post it here when I get a chance.

[johnhuson]

We use tape with our company logo and a strip of coloured PVC tape (colour denotes length) either side of the logo tape, then covered with clear glue lined heatshrink. Works very well for us but would stress the importance of glue lined heatshrink. Makes the heatshrink a little bit bigger but avoids the inevitable heatshrink slipping off the label scenario.

[lightsource]

We use tape with our company logo

 

YES <_< :D As a hire company, we're constantly faced with people who try to steal our leads. This may be specific to the hire industry, but labelling THE OWNER of the cable is surely an added bonus

[Ike]

I use fluorescent pink spray paint on the plugs and sockets, not only does it signify it mine but it decreases its "ebay value". Well thats the theory, I still seem to lose an awful lot. On mic cables I tend to leave the female end so it's not as visible onstage and nothing else is really visible in the venues where they get used.

 

I use the WL colour code for length.

 

To aid quick band changeovers I mark male XLRs with a bit of coloured tape with a number on it. The colour denotes which sub/box it plugs into and the number is the channel.

 

On a related note I would warn against using fluorescent spay paint then going onstage in a UV scene without changing blacks. The invisible dust you get covered in suddenly becomes a bit too visible. :(