Label printer recommendation?

[Zing]

I’ve got some labels to replace and many more to add. Here are pictures of the crappy labels I have to replace. Are there any good printers that don’t lose their lettering that will do this job?

 

[alahol2]

Brother make some decent label printers and tapes. Eg Brother GLH-105 Garden Label Printer | Brother Labelling machines
But you need to do a lot of searching to find one at a sensible price.

 

[Concerto]

My own experience of Brother P-touch hand held printer using the recommended tapes is not very good. The paper ones are uselesss outside, so I used a thermal plastic tape and found that despite being under a sprayhood, the labels faded to unreadable in less than 6 months. If you look at the available tapes, none mention they are UV fast.
tze-tape-selector

On their industrial side Brother claim to do some fade resistant ones but you will need an industrial printerr.
Brother Tapes and Labels | Supplies | Brother UK

You may find a Stabilo permanent overhead projection pen will work just as well, but will still fade in about a year. Then all you need to do is wipe it clean with white spirit and rewrite.

 

[pmagowan]

I think clear heat shrink over the top of labels (where possible) helps prevent fading

 

[penberth3]

Apparently Traffolyte is still a thing. Professional appearance and it should last longer than any stick-on printed label.

 

[Keith-i]

I bought a pro level Dymo a few years ago. Very versatile with lots of different label material options including heat shrink. The only problem I have found is that the weatherproof/most durable label material (vinyl IIRC) doesn’t print very well and is a bit feint. A small cheap domestic Brother P-Touch seems better.

 

[Zing]

Apparently Traffolyte is still a thing. Professional appearance and it should last longer than any stick-on printed label.

View attachment 181302

It’s still good stuff. I just ordered a small panel in that material. It gets expensive on the whole boat though. Looks dated, very expensive for one offs and you can’t make one impromptu. There are other similar options like laser engraved stainless.

 

[mjcoon]

It’s still good stuff. I just ordered a small panel in that material. It gets expensive on the whole boat though. Looks dated, very expensive for one offs and you can’t make one impromptu. There are other similar options like laser engraved stainless.

Or find a seaside that still offers one of those old machines that embossed your name onto a strip of metal for money in the slot?

 

[alahol2]

I must say that my labels have lasted rather longer than Concertos.
https://www.brother.is/-/media/prod...-machines/tze-tapes-booklet_uk_update_web.pdf

 

[PetiteFleur]

I also have a Brother printer using TZE tapes which are UV resistant. Been on positions on mast & boom and still very visible after 15 yrs. Originally nought for labelling garden plants but seems to be only used for boaty stuff!

 

[LiftyK]

I am also really pleased with my. Brother TZE printer and tapes as mentioned by PetiteFleur. My purchase was an impulse buy in Screwfix when I visited a store and saw them on offer. The tapes can be purchased from many independent companies at very low cost. The laminated labels stick well and look great. I’ve not had any fade yet.

 

[Zing]

Right, Brother it is then. I now discovered they recently really improved their machines which can now print from your PC or IPad to your graphics design, also print big labels 18 or 24mm for my jammers and pipes. Pretty impressive. I’m persuaded by posts above that labels shouldn’t rub off or fade.

The machines are cheap, the label cost OK and I found a clip on label holder that should mean I can use it also for my pipes and thick cables too. I’ve just got a few tricky plastics that things don’t stick to. I’ll just have to use something else for them, or buy a specialist glue.

Label holder:
Cable Marker Waterproof Sign Transparent Wire Tie Sign Label Box Plastic Signage | eBay