Asset tags for registration and identification
What is an asset tag?
The term "asset tag" speaks for itself: labels designed to identify your assets. These tags are often also referred to as property labels. Beyond identification, asset tags allow you to effectively register and track your assets. Typically, asset tags are self-adhesive labels featuring a unique barcode or serial number with the barcode linked to a specific product or piece of equipment, such as a rental bicycle or a laptop.
Why use asset tags?
Businesses use asset tags to identify products, objects and equipment, including computers, monitors, phones, tools, furniture, machinery, and logistical equipment such as roll containers and trolleys. Registering assets with tags is a practical and efficient way to maintain an overview of your inventory. This allows you to quickly see where an item is located and, if applicable, which employee or customer it is assigned to.
Asset tags are widely used for industrial purposes such as:
- Inventory registration
- Stock management
- Maintenance tracking
- Internal tracking and tracing
Common applications for asset tags include tools, office equipment, IT hardware, vehicles, electronic devices, and supply chain assets. By using asset tags, you streamline business processes, make them more efficient, and maintain better control over your company’s property. This also enables you to quickly identify if assets are missing or misplaced.
What information is printed on an asset tag?
You can print any information on an asset tag that you wish to integrate with your software. Common prints include barcodes, serial numbers, and company logos. Additionally, QR codes, data matrix codes, EAN numbers, text, or numerical identifiers can also be used.
How to choose label material for asset tags
The right label material for your asset tags depends on their intended use. By answering four simple questions, you can often determine the most suitable material:
- What surface will the asset tags be applied to?
- Will the property labels be used indoors or outdoors?
- What temperature ranges must the tags withstand?
- How long do the asset labels need to last?
Based on your answers, you can eliminate unsuitable materials and choose the one that best meets your needs and industry requirements, such as REACH or RoHS compliance.
Common label materials for asset tags
Popular materials for printing asset tags include tamper-evident labels like Checkerboard and Destructible. Checkerboard labels feature a chessboard-like pattern that remains on the surface when the label is removed, making it clear that tampering has occurred.
Destructible labels, made from fragmentable vinyl, disintegrate when removed. Both tamper-evident materials are excellent for providing long-lasting identification and, if necessary, sealing your company assets.
Other commonly used materials for asset stickers and inventory labels include metallised polyester labels, weather-resistant vinyl labels and tear-resistant non-adhesive tags.
Advice on asset tags
Do you need help selecting the right label materials? Our consultants are here to help at +31 (0)172 769 123. You can also request samples to test the materials in your work environment. We are happy to collaborate with you to find the ideal labelling solution for your needs.