Safety Hazard Labels
Identify potential hazards and prevent accidents with our standard symbols and headers, or custom symbols. Custom materials, graphics and messages available. At your request, we will use approved layouts, headers and graphics to conform with the most current ANSI/NEMA guidelines. Commonly used for high voltage, personal protection, confined space, and bilingual applications.

Headers:

• Danger - If not avoided will result in death or serious injury.
• Warning - If not avoided could result in death or serious injury.
• Caution - If not avoided may result in minor or moderate injury.
• Notice - Usually used to indicate a statement of company policy.

NFPA Diamond Panels - Mark your hazardous chemicals properly. Follows OSHA guidelines.

HMIS Panels

PCB - Printed on pressure-sensitive vinyl, custom colors and messages available, standard "barricade" style borders, reference to codes and sections, and write-on areas. Can be pre-printed with company name. Stock Messages are: PCB Contaminated Equipment - Dielectric Fluid - write on area- (black on yellow), CERTIFIED dielectric contamination (white on blue), PCB Contaminated Electrical Equipment (black on yellow).

Biohazard - Standard symbol and graphics. Call us with you specifications!

Waste Labels - Stock messages consist of: For Dirty Freon Only, Waste Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) non-hazardous waste, Waste Solvents Only, Waste Oil Only, Oil Soaked Debris Only, Notice-This container is triple rinsed, Empty, Non-Hazardous Waste (Shipper, Address, city, state, zip and contents write-ons), Non-Regulated Waste (Shipper, Address, city, state, zip, proper D.O.T. shipping name, UN or NA no. and contents write-ons), Regulated Material (Drum I.D.#, Contents and Person Responsible write-ons), Potential Mixed Waste (Drum I.D.#, Contents, mixed wastes and Coordinator write-ons), Hazardous Waste (Federal law prohibits improper disposal. If found, contact the nearest police or public safety agency...).

Stock messages - Hot Spot mRem/hr, Dose trending Data Point, Radioactive SCO, Radioactive Material N.O.S. UN2982, Caution - Radioactive Material - Launderable Materials, Caution - Radioactive Material - Contaminated Waste, Caution - Radioactive Material - Radioactive tools/equipment, and many more!

Reflective Number and Letter Labels - Highly visible in low light, very outdoor durable and tamper evident - Cannot be removed in one piece. Our reflective numbers and letters are laminated for extra protection from abrasion, chemicals, and ultra-violet light. Common applications are transformer, cabinet, and pedestal labels. Standard colors are black on yellow and black on orange - Custom colors are available. Reflective materials to choose from are: 3M Engineer Grade - provides good reflection (most popular), High Intensity - provides better reflection, Diamond Grade - provides best reflection.

Vinyl Number and Letter Labels - PVC or Poly Vinyl Chloride. Generally more flexible and formable than polyesters. Less expensive than polyester. Can be laminated to increase resistance to U.V., abrasion, chemicals, etc. Available in many different color and adhesive combinations. Common applications are transformer, cabinet, and pedestal labels. Standard colors are black on yellow, black on white, and black on orange - Custom colors are available.

Pedestal Strip Mounting - Pressure sensitive vinyl - custom match pedestal green color. Printed black line in center aids decal alignment. Will hold up to 15 - 1" reflective character labels.

Pole Strip Mounting - Injection molded black HDPE - Corona treated. Comes with six premolded reinforced holes for easy nail mounting. Raised center line aids decal alignment. Mount with aluminum nails for maximum life. Will hold up to 15 - 1" reflective character labels.

Additional Number, Letter, and Mounting Systems - Additional information is available in the Tags and Kits sections of our web site!

Label specifications: Approximately size is 12" x 1", white "write-on" area for hand written information, clear "tail" wraps over and around to seal printed information.

Label options: Custom logos and colors, bar codes, headings, date, Initials, or other write on fields.

Bucket Truck

Extension Cords

Common uses: Voltage rating labels, KVA rating labels, custom diagram labels, drained and flushed labels, danger - high voltage messages, minimum clearance-fences/shrubs labels, write-on maintenance logs.

Design options: Standard danger, warning, caution and notice headings, Mr. Shock & Mr. Ouch symbols, other standard ANSI/NEMA symbols, incorporate bar codes, specific transformer rating/manufacturer information.

Self-Laminating - Write your own variable information, then seal with attached clear lamination. Clear overlay protects your handwriting against weather, chemicals, abrasion, grease and solvents.

Tamper-Evident - Labels cannot be removed in one piece, labels will tear, break apart, or leave a void message when removed or when the edges are picked at. Common uses are security, drug-testing or equipment warranty label applications. Mylar/polyester labels are custom constructed to leave a "void" message behind. Destructible vinyls generally contain very low amounts of plasticizers which make them more brittle or "destructible." They cannot be removed in one piece which makes them attractive for security or warranty label applications. 3M reflective films are, by nature, somewhat brittle. This quality is even more apparent when trying to lift the edges of a reflective label! Because they cannot be removed in one piece, reflective films are also considered tamper evident. Other constructions also available.

Piggy Back

Printed tabs

Face-down

Printed Liner Instructions

Blank

Premask - A covering used to provide surface protection and/or rigidity to a label for ease of application. The premask is peeled off after the label is applied.

Overlaminate - A clear, adhesive backed material applied as a protective covering over the printed graphics to help resist abrasion and other environmental elements. The adhesive is virtually transparent and does not noticeably affect clarity of the printed graphics.

Printed Graphics - The colored graphic images that are applied to the base material. Silkscreening, lithography, flexography, and hot-stamping are common application techniques.

Topcoat - Added to base material to facilitate better ink adhesion to film or substrate.

Base Material - The principal element of a label on which graphics are applied. The material may be either clear or opaque. Graphics can be applied to either the top surface of opaque materials (surface printing) or to the underside of clear film materials (subsurface printing). Surface printed graphics may require an overlaminate for protection. Subsurface printed graphics are protected by the clear film itself which eliminates the need for an overlaminate.

Adhesive - The material on the underside of the base material which adheres the label to the product.

Silicone - A thin layer of silicone is applied to top of liner to prevent the adhesive from sticking to it.

Liner - A covering which protects the adhesive and is easily removed prior to label application. Instructions for label application may be printed on the back of the liner.

Vinyl - Also known as PVC or Poly Vinyl Chloride, these plastic films are used for pressure-sensitive labeling and can be manufactured in rigid or flexible constructions. Generally more flexible and formable than polyesters. Less expensive than polyester. Can be laminated to increase resistance to U.V., abrasion, chemicals, etc. Available in many different color and adhesive combinations. Common applications are bar codes, hard-hats, metal cabinets, barrels, racks, metal poles, posts/pedestals, doors, cables, tools, and other equipment. Basic types of vinyl that are available:

Calendared - Starts out at irregular thickness. Molecules are stretched and compressed down to achieve uniform thickness.
Cast - Manufactured exactly to a specified thickness. Rigid, easier to tear. Easier to die cut.
Destructible Vinyls - Generally contain very low amounts of plasticizers which make them more brittle or "destructible." They cannot be removed in one piece which makes them attractive for security or warranty label applications.

Mylar (polyester) - Resistance to moisture, solvents, oils, heat, and many other chemicals. Available in clear overlaminates and metallized colors. Common applications are for demanding label applications and as overlaminates to increase label life and resist abrasion.

Lexan (polycarbonate) - Available in many thicknesses, can be formed. Common applications are overlaminations, control panels, available in many different stock textures.

Aluminum - Very durable and heat resistant. Common application is nameplates.

Reflective - 3M Engineer Grade - provides good reflection, most popular. High Intensity - provides better reflection. Diamond Grade - provides best reflection. Reflective is also known as retro-reflective or Scotchlite. Highly visible in low light, very outdoor durable and tamper evident - Cannot be removed in one piece! Common applications are aluminum signs, individual number and letter labels for transformer and pedestals.

Kapton (polyester polyamide) - Extremely resistant to heat and solvents. Common application is circuit board labels.

Stainless Steel

Ceramic

Teflon

Adhesives
Probably the most common misconception is - the tackier an adhesive "feels" the better it is. Not true! Rubber based adhesives will almost always "feel" more tacky than acrylic. Choose the adhesive based on its known and tested strengths and you can’t go wrong. There are two basic types:

Rubber Based - Similar to rubber cement. Good short-term bond (i.e.-drug test bottle labels). Conforms better than acrylic to uneven or "pebbly" surfaces. Not very good with U.V. and heat. Tend to turn yellow with exposure to U.V. For polypropylene and polyethylene most people jump to rubber based adhesives, but some acrylic adhesives (i.e-PAT ) is also very good.

Acrylic Based - Polymers man-made through chemistry. Do not yellow. Better than rubber with U.V. and heat.

Laminates
Overlaminates - Provide extra protection against U.V., abrasion, and some chemicals and they can be applied over almost all of our base materials. Standard thicknesses available in .0005", .001", .003" and a hefty .005" mil thickness! Available construction materials are Mylar - polyester, Lexan - polycarbonate, Tedlar - polyvinyl fluoride. Select gloss, matte, or velvet texture finishes.

Self-Laminating - Write your own variable information, then seal with attached clear lamination. Clear overlay protects your handwriting against weather, chemicals, abrasion, grease and solvents.

Accelerated Weather Testing
When your applications demand the highest standards in outdoor durability, we use films, inks and adhesives specifically engineered to withstand the elements. Using our in-house QUV Weatherometer, we can predict the long-term affects of UV light and moisture. Our equipment can simulate the affects of 1 year outdoor exposure in just 25 days! Some of our materials have even been tested up to 25 years! Comparative data is available on a variety of materials, new materials are continually evaluated for possible uses. Let us help you choose the right one for you!

Label Ordering Guide
The following information is needed to develop a label solution that will meet your specific requirements:

1. What surface will the label be applied to?
2. Will the label be used in a indoor or outdoor environment?
3. What temperature range will the label be subjected to?
4. What is the desired life expectancy of the label?
5. Permanent or removable adhesive?
6. Do you need bar codes or serialized information?
7. Does the label material need to have U.L. or other agency approval?
8. How would you like the labels packaged - rolls, sheets, singles with peel off tabs?

Graphic Design
Our award winning graphic design team is always available to aid you in the layout of your Labels and Decals! Click here to learn more about our design staff and the services they offer.