Label materials for cable marking and wire coding
Why use cable and wire labels?
Accurate and clear cable and wire labelling ensures organisation and clarity. Proper labelling allows for quicker fault detection and repair while simplifying the maintenance of your wires and cables. Using the right label material and coding method for your cables saves valuable time and improves efficiency.
Materials for cable and wire labelling
Our label shop offers materials for all types of cables and wires in various standard sizes. These include cable tags, wrap-around labels, and heat shrink sleeves, suitable for identifying wires and cables in applications such as roadworks, fibre optic networks, and greenhouse construction. The choice of material depends on the application, desired lifespan, and working conditions.
Cable tags
Our cable tags (M1821) are made from high-quality, flame-retardant polyurethane (PUR). Thanks to the slots on either side, the tags can be easily secured with cable ties to single cables or bundles of cables. They are commonly used for identifying cables underground or on the back of solar panels.
To print these tags, we recommend the R2300 resin ribbon for durable, scratch-resistant, and chemically resistant printing. For enhanced UV and weather protection, a custom-sized protective laminate can be applied, ideal for long-term outdoor use on offshore platforms, land-based wind turbines, or marine wind farms.
Wrap-around labels
Wrap-around labels (M1301), also known as self-laminating labels, are made from memory-free vinyl. The labels are transparant except for a coloured area suitable for printing information on about the location, connection or wire itself. Wrap the label around the wire 1.5 to 2 times and the transparent laminate will protect the print from damage, oils, and chemicals.
Wrap-around labels are particularly suited for pre-assembled cables like UTP cables. The strong adhesive ensures secure attachment even to small diameters, across a wide temperature range. However, it is worth mentioning these types of labels are less suitable for prolonged outdoor use.
Heat shrink sleeves
Heat shrink sleeves (M1802), or tubing, are halogen-free and flame-retardant, ideal for identifying wires and cables of varying diameters. Made from high-quality polyolefin, these sleeves are durable and resistant to chemicals and high temperatures. When heated with an industrial heat gun, they shrink to form a permanent seal. Alternatively, they can be attached without heating, allowing for reuse in cases of wire damage.
Heat shrink sleeves are an excellent identification solution for new construction projects, particularly when e.g. wires and cables in switchboards have not yet been connected. Always consider the quality of the cable or wire before application. A soft, plastic cable, for instance, may melt when the heat shrink sleeve is secured with a heat gun. In such cases, it is better to opt for a cable tag or a wrap-around label.
You can use heat shrink sleeves for cable and wire identification across various industries and applications, including the petrochemical industry, renewable energy sector, patch panels, rail and aerospace industries, aviation, shipping, offshore projects, and construction. We offer these sleeves in a range of sizes with a 2:1 shrink ratio. If you require shrink sleeves compatible with Brady and Tyco printers and software, please contact us at +31 (0)172 769 123.
Cable flags
Cable flags, or flag labels, are labels with a permanent adhesive. They are available in either a P-shape or T-shape for wrapping around thin wires. The flag portion provides ample space for single- or double-sided printing of barcodes, text, or numbers. These labels are ideal for identifying thin cables, such as fibre optics, or for use as high-visibility signal markers.
Printing your own cable labels or ordering pre-printed labels
Alle materialen voor kabel- en draadcodering die u in onze shop kunt bestellen, kunt u zelf bedrukken met een thermal transfer printer. Voor het bedrukken van de kabeltags en krimpkousen adviseren wij R2300 resin printerlint te gebruiken voor een scherpe en duidelijke print die lang leesbaar blijft.
All our cable and wire labelling materials can be printed with a thermal transfer printer. For cable tags and shrink sleeves, we recommend using R2300 resin ribbons to achieve sharp, long-lasting prints. If you lack the time, equipment, or resources to print labels yourself, our label experts can provide pre-printed labels for all your cable and wire labelling needs. In addition to the standard sizes available in our shop, we can customise cable labels to your specific requirements. For more information or personalised advice, feel free to reach out to our team. We’re here to help.