DuraLabel Test Lab - Testing The Compeitition

The DuraLabel Test Lab was created to monitor the quality of DuraLabel supplies, labels and signs, and to test new materials coming out of the DuraLabel R&D and engineering groups. But as part of a routine test of DuraLabel supplies a similar supply made by a competitor was included as a part of the test. You can see the result to the right.

The test was a three year weathering test run on NFPA diamond RTK labels. An Atlas Weathering Tester was used. A total of 1080 hours in the testing machine was used to simulate three years of outdoor weathering.

After 720 hours (simulating two years of weathering) the labels were checked. The red on the competitor's label had already completely disappeared. This label needs to be replaced after less than two years.

At the end of the test the DuraLabel supply, which carries a three year outdoor life rating, was fine and able to continue beyond its three year rated life.

Don't short-change yourself. Replacing faded or worn out labels costs more in labor alone than doing the job right in the first place. Get the labeling supplies that not only get the job don, they get it done right... DuraLabel supplies.

New DuraLabel Supplies Catalog Available

To have the right OSHA safety signs and labels, you need the right label making supplies. With the wide range of supplies available for DuraLabel printers you can always get the right supplies for the job. Now, with the new DuraLabel Supplies catalog, finding the right supplies just got a lot easier.

Request your free copy of the DuraLabel Supplies catalog.

If you want durable labels and signs, you need to be using the right materials. DuraLabel premium grade continuous vinyl is the most commonly used supply for making OSHA safety signs and labels. The two-color continuous vinyl available in 9" widths for the DuraLabel 9000 printer make creating OSHA safety signs economical and easy. The DuraLabel 9000 is the only printer that fully prints from edge-to-edge, giving you full coverage, no wasted materials and premium grade vinyl. The result is a quality sign that lasts.

From the hand held DuraLabel 2000, and including the highly versatile DuraLabel PRO printers, up through the SUPER-SIZE DuraLabel 9000, you'll be getting printers and supplies that get the job done, and get it done right.

Related Past Posts:
DuraLabel Drum Labels
What About Pipe Markers?
DuraLabel Supplies Test Lab

Oily Surface Labels & Signs - Video

An unusual labeling application would be the need to apply a label on a surface that has a coating of oil or grease. In most cases we clean surfaces before labeling them. But there are instances in which it would be helpful to be able to apply a label directly to an oil coated surface. DuraLabel's innovative labeling products development has come up with a label material that makes permanent adhesive backed labels and signs that will stay stuck on oil contaminated surfaces.

Here is a video that shows this unique oily surface label:

New Requirements For Phosphorescent Labels and Marking

A new white paper from Graphic Products describes new building codes that went into effect January 1st. Based on the results of studies of the evacuation of the World Center, marking of stairways and exit paths with phosphorescent tape is now required. This includes marking of stair steps, handrails and placing phosphorescent signs within 18 inches of the floor.

The white paper provides an introduction to phosphorescent supplies, and then covers the new NFPA 101 code, as well as discussing municipal codes that are requiring photoluminescent markings.

Use the above link to get as free copy of this white paper.

Special Labels - Labeling Oily Surfaces

When you are using a DuraLabel PRO printer, you'll be using the printer that gets the job done, no matter how difficult the job.

Here's a tough job. You have surfaces that need safety labels, but they are oily and can not be cleaned. In the past the only option was to go through the expense and time of creating a mechanically applied label. But now you can do better than that.

The new DuraLabel oily surface labeling supply makes labels (and signs) that can be applied directly to oily surfaces... and they will stick and stay stuck. The adhesive backing chemically reacts with oil to create a permanent and durable bond. Other labels slide around and fall off. DuraLabel oily surface labels stay in place.

The DuraLabel PRO is the industrial quality label printer that gets the job done. And even in tough situations it gets the job done right. When you are selecting your next label and sign printer, go with the best... go with a DuraLabel.

Custom, Full Color Safety Labels

Color communicates faster and more effectively. Yet making color safety labels has typically been out of the question. And making custom color safety labels was not even considered. But here is some amazing news... your DuraLabel PRO printer can now print full color, custom safety labels. It is now fast, easy and economical to make the color safety labels you need.

How is this possible?

It is actually very easy. Make a sketch showing us what you need your label to look like. Our custom color label service will have as many rolls of color labels made as you need, providing you with a full color blank label ready to be printed by your DuraLabel PRO. We'll also provide you with a template making it easy to print the custom information, symbols and bar codes on your color safety labels.

That's it. There is no better way to improve the effectiveness of the labeling throughout your facility than by using color to enhance communication. Give us a call today at 1-800-788-5572. When you are using a DuraLabel printer you'll get the job done, and get it done right.

DuraLabel Special Supplies - Electrostatic Dissipative

When you need to get a labeling job done right, call on the DuraLabel PRO printer. There are more types of supplies available for the DuraLabel PRO than for any other label printer. Getting the job done right means having the right supplies.... and the DuraLabel PRO delivers.

It's winter and dry air can mean more static electricity. DuraLabel PRO electrostatic dissipative label tapes can help solve several static related problems.

When you need extra high quality printing, tiny static discharges in a thermal print head can cause problems. These "sparks" as so small they aren't noticed, but they will result in voids and spots on a printed label. Electrostatic dissipative label tape solves this problem by preventing static from building up on the tape as it passes through the printer.

Another problem area is that static charges that build up on vinyl tape can discharge into the material the label is being applied on. If electronic components are involved, the static discharges can damage the electronic components. The ability of electrostatic dissipative tapes to dissipate static charges solves this problem.

When it comes to labeling it pays to have the right supplies. With the DuraLabel PRO printer you'll not only have a printer that can get the job done... you'll have a printer that gets the job done right.

Call 1-800-788-5572 for more information.

OSHA Safety Labels, Is That All

I'm always surprised when I read the OSHA press releases about the fines they've proposed. You'd think that company's had never heard about safety, or just didn't care about safety. And maybe that's the case. They have their eye on the dollar and don't really care about what happens.

The next step up seems to be those who do care and do comply with OSHA codes and regulations. That's great and it produces a safer workplace. But is complying with OSHA everything that can b e done to have a safe workplace? Is it everything you should you, or should you do more?

I take the position that in addition to meeting OSHA requirements for safety labels, I should evaluate my facility to see whether there are other labels and signs that I need. Sure it makes good economic sense, but it also makes sense personally for you and your employees. Yes, a potential hazard has been marked by a label, but why not use a sign to remind employees about the hazard well before they reach it? That way they'll be sure to have the needed PPE and tools.

But don't go too far. There is also the potential for information overload. Providing too much information, in particular if it is not immediately useful, can result in all labels and signs being ignored. Then instead of a safe workplace, accidents will start to increase.

The bottom line... use common sense when installing safety labels and signs. Meet OSHA requirements, but examine your facility to be sure it is truly a safe workplace.

Selecting The Right Labeling Material

Have you applied a safety label only to have it almost immediately start pealing off? The corners start curling up and before you know it parts rip off and the label is unreadable.

Have you made a label to find that it is quickly fading from exposure to sunlight?

Or maybe the label you just made got wet and the printing is smearing.

Selecting the right label material for the job is important. Some materials, such as industrial grade vinyl printed with a thermal transfer printer, will function fine in a wide variety of environments. Others, such as direct thermal labels have more limitations.

An article by Steve Hudgik, called Selecting The Proper Labeling Material will guide you in getting the right material for the labeling job.

New DuraLabel Pro Label & Sign Printer

The new DuraLabel Pro printer, along with new DuraLabel supplies, are now fully available. Always concerned about being able to deliver what is promised, the manufacturer of the DuraLabel line of industrial label and sign printers has held back on widely promoting the new DuraLabel Pro until the warehouse was fully stocked and the supply chain in full operation.

The new DuraLabel Pro features high speed industrial quality printing that is not matched by any other printer you can buy. With print speeds of up to 5 ips, there is no other printer that can get your labeling and sign making jobs done quicker.

But the news gets even better!

With the DuraLabel Pro you'll be buying your supplies direct from the manufacturer... that means you'll typically save 50% on your labeling and sign making costs vs. using comparable industrial grade printers.

You get your work done quicker and you save money!

But the DuraLabel Pro goes even further. Compare the available supplies with any other label and sign printer. The DuraLabel Pro has the supplies that allow it to take on all of the most common labeling and sign making tasks... including making OSHA compliant labels and signs; making pipe markers, RTK labels and arc flash labels; labeling wires and cables as well as making reflective parking lot and traffic control signs. Whether you need labels and signs in a warehouse, cold storage facilty, or on CAT-5 cable, the DuraLable Pro can handle the job.

But it doesn't stop there! When you need to do labeling in the field or on the shop floor, the DuraLabel Pro can go where it is needed. Just plug it into the DuraLabel battery.

For more information about the DuraLabel Pro and DuraLabel Pro supplies, give Graphic Products a call at 1-800-788-5572

DuraLabel Supplies

DuraLabel Supplies include die-cut labels. What are die-cut labels and why would you want to use them?

Die-cut labels are labels that have been pre-cut to a specific size and shape. Die-cut labels can be made in any shape, but the most common shapes are rectangular, oval and circular.

The advantage of die-cut labels is that they provide a multicolor label without the expense of owning a multicolor label printer. Most die-cut labels have rounded corners, which provide longer label life (the label will not start peeling up from the corners) and a more professional appearance.

DuraLabel supplies include a variety of die-cut labels:

RTK Labels are used for identifying hazardous materials in a standardized manner. The DuraLabel has die-cut RTK labels that use the NFPA diamond or color bars. Both styles are available in a variety of label sizes.

Arc Flash Labels provide safety information for equipment that may pose an arc flash hazard. The DuraLabel has die-cut DANGER and WARNING arc flash labels available in English, French and Spanish.

NOTICE and DANGER Labels are used for a wide variety of applications. These 4" x 6" rectangular labels have a color header with either the word DANGER or NOTICE preprinted in the header.

Supplies for the DuraLabel also include blank rectangular die-cut labels, blank circular labels and blank oval labels. With such a wide variety of die-cut labels available for the DuraLabel, you'll be able to have the labeling supplies you need.

DuraLabel Supplies Cost Comparison

I just ran into a utility I had forgotten about. The Labeling Tape web site includes a utility that allows you to directly compare the cost you are currently paying for supplies for a labeling machine with the supply cost for the DuraLabel thermal transfer printer.

You can select from three label printers: the Brady Labelizer Plus, the GlobalMark and the Varitronics EasyStep 4000. Select the type of tape you are using and enter the amount you are currently paying per roll. The utility will then calculate the cost of using the same (or similar) supplies on the DuraLabel and show you the difference. You may be surprised at how much you can save.

The labeling supply cost comparison utility is located at: http://www.labelingtape.com/savings/index.php

U.S. Military Labeling Supplies

It seems there is a web site dedicated to just about every subject you can imagine. In this post I'm going to talk about one you might not have thought about.

Labeling is something that does not come to mind, expect for those who need to do labeling. If you need to do labeling, then it become important and finding the best fit between your labeling needs and available equipment and labeling supplies does become important.

There is a web site that is just about military labels and signs. It features label printers, sign makers, poster printers, vinyl cutters and laminators that are suitable for military applications. It is called: U.S. Military Supplies.

If you are in the military, and it need not just be the U.S. military, and you need to make signs or labels, then visit this web site. They have label makers that can make large and small labels. They have poster printers that are excellent for making visual aids for field training. And they have vinyl cutters that are excellent for making large signs, vehicle lettering and window lettering.

Brady Labeling Supplies Sale Grows!

While some Brady supplies have sold out, Graphic Products has continued to add Brady labeling supplies to their huge industrial labeling supplies sale. Finding industrial labeling supplies at a reduced price never happens, but now you can purchase new labeling supplies from manufacturers such as Brady, Kroy, K-Sun and Brother at up to 50% off the manufacturer's price.

This month new supplies for labelers such as the Brady GlobalMark, Brady HandiMark, Brady TLS2200 and Brady ID Pro Plus have been added. All sale items are offered on a first come-first served basis. While new inventory for sale items is coming in, there is no guarantee that any specific item will not sell out.

A complete list of all labeling supplies that are on sale is available online: industrial labeling supplies sale.