Label maker/printer - Orchid Board

naoki · #1 03-28-2016, 07:03 PM

I have been using pencils to write labels, but it is a pain to make lots of the same kind (e.g. deflasked seedlings).

Does anyone use a label maker/printer for this purpose? If so, which one do you use? Happy about yours? How long do the labels last as plant label (i.e. fade resistance, not peeling off etc)? Brother, Epson, and Dymo seems to be popular ones.

I'm considering Brother PT-D600,
which can be used as stand-alone or connected to a computer (and Mac compatible). I think all Brother P-touch series uses similar tape, so the durability is same as other P-touch models.

katrina · #2 03-28-2016, 07:39 PM

I have a basic Brother PT and have been using it for years. I use it for labels for tags that tuck into the pots but I also make a label for the side of the pot so a quick glance will tell me the plant name and last repot date.

The ink lasts a looooong time on the label tucked into the pot. The labels on the outside of the pots stay adhered to the pots well. Even on the clay pot as long as the pot isn't wet when you put them on. For those labels on the outside of the pots...the ink stands up to the UV exposure better than I ever expected. Some of my higher light plants will fade w/in 2yrs but typically by then I'm repotting so it's not a big deal for me. I've had some plants in pots for 3yrs and by then if I haven't made a new label (outside of pot) then it's barely visible due to fading from the UV.

Overall, it's very easy to use and I like it a lot...and it's way better than my handwriting.

For me the only downside has nothing to do w/the device itself but rather the operator...I almost always forget to keep extra tape on hand and I run out of it at the most inopportune times.

naoki · #3 03-28-2016, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the input, Katrina!

So do you bury the tag completely in the pot to make it redundant (i.e. you still have the info when the outside label is faded)?

Do you happen to know which tape do you use? I just started to look into this, and there appear to be several different types of tapes you can use with these printers.

Paphluvr · #4 03-28-2016, 08:02 PM

I'm presently using a Brother P-Touch. I agree with Katrina, I've not noticed any fade and the labels adhere very well to both tags and pots. Down side is battery life and cost of tape. Previously I used a Dymo (a bit easier to use than the Brother) but the LCD started to go so I couldn't preview the tag before printing.

This Side of Paradise · #5 03-28-2016, 08:05 PM

I use a brother pt touch that connects to your computer.its so much faster to type and you can easily save files for additional printing later.

Optimist · #6 03-28-2016, 08:31 PM

I have a laminator. I bought those small Id card style plastic slips with the idea of putting name, care instructions, and a photo on each. I use it for other things, so it is not just for my orchids. Thought it would be great to make tags, luggage tags, and other things.

WhiteRabbit · #7 03-28-2016, 10:50 PM

I also use a PTouch handheld - the white tape with black print has done a fine job for me (TZ-231)

naoki · #8 03-29-2016, 03:38 AM

Thank you, all. It sounds like that PTouch is the popular one, and I'll probably get it!

katrina · #9 03-29-2016, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naoki

Thanks for the input, Katrina!

So do you bury the tag completely in the pot to make it redundant (i.e. you still have the info when the outside label is faded)?

Do you happen to know which tape do you use? I just started to look into this, and there appear to be several different types of tapes you can use with these printers.

The tag in the pot is buried as deeply as I can get it. Some of the smaller pots end up having tag stick out but the larger pots...totally buried. I keep other pertinent data on those in pot tags as needed...such as purchase date/ root condition if something funky is going on/medium choices if I've made drastic changes and/or anything else that might not be apparent from just looking at the plant and/or that I might forget down the line...so I like having those as well as the label on the pot. Because I do keep extra info on those in pot labels, I sometime run out of space and have to add tags. I have several pots w/2,3, even 4 little labels in the pots. I've recently started using old mini-blind slats and they give me more space (wider so I can get more lines of text)...down the line I'll have to switch the others over as I'm doing them.

I'm using M tape...the one my machine takes is M-2312PK. 1/2" tape. White tape. I used to see a super adhesive kind and did buy it once but I don't remember if it was all that much better at sticking or not. I never see it anymore so I just get the basic.

When my label maker finally gives out (if that ever happens!) then I might look into one of the machines that takes the 1" tape. It might be nice to have that extra space but it's not important enough for me to want to spend the money until this one dies.