MAKING NEW TAGS
 

my oh my! I have wanted to try this for some time now, and finally dug my stuff out today to give it a shot....

I bought a flat of plug babies, and I have to tag them all....I hate making tags! of all the methods of printing tags, I have never found one that survives very long with the heat, sun, and water of a greenhouse...so I was using good old number 2 pencil, as it lasts the best.

I used to do a lot of graphics, using india ink and pens, so I dug them out to give it a shot...and I think it will do fine! I am a bit shakey, but here are the first few I made...

Attachment 129939

Attachment 129940

Attachment 129941

I might try a thicker nib next time, but I think it is a definite attempt....the markers dried hard and don't smear, and hey, it don't get more permanent than india ink!...I think you can buy a pen fairly cheap, and a bottle of ink cheap too!

I will post after 6 months or so how they last!

I like where this is going. Looks legible and neat!

I like that.

Looks good! I used the ink for calligraphy many years ago. Good stuff.

If you write tags manually, go to an art supply store and buy paint pens (extra fine line). If you press too hard while writing, you can deposit a paint 'blob', but the writing will never fade.

• Pencils are a poor second choice.
• Sharpies writing fades in 2-3 months.

If you have to write a lot of labels with long names, invest in a label printer. You write your text once on 1 or 2 lines, and tell it how many copies you want.

I use a Brother P-Touch PT-2430 PC. You can get labels either 1/2", 3/4" or 1" wide. They are self-adhesive and adhere strongly to clean & dry labels.

That's just too broad of a statement to be correct. It depends upon the environment the label is exposed to, and the type of Sharpie used.

The image below is of a standard polystyrene label that had been in my twinwall polycarbonate greenhouse for a bit over two years, where it was exposed to all the watering, fertilizing, and pesticide treatments my plants were. The date is written in #2 pencil; the others are self-evident.

http://www.firstrays.com/Pictures/label_inks.jpg

I am now testing a newer Sharpie - the "Extreme" version, outdoors - exposed to direct NC sun. It is supposed to be even more UV resistant.

sharpies are fine in the home....but I find they get 'blurry' after a couple years....(or was that my cataracts? lol)....but, I believe they use a mixture with india ink....I am using PURE INDIA INK...if you have ever done any artwork or got it on your hands, you KNOW how permanent that is!!

a proper india ink pen will not leak or make blobs...the old style that I learned calligraphy with, were NIGHTMARES and I would never suggest that anyone use those....

the radiograph pens I use are safe and easy, no muss no fuss...and for a small collection, beats the heck out of those stamped labels...

the 'glue-on' labels are nasty...the brother machine is fine if you want to do a thousand or so....

mine are holding up fine! I want to use the larger nib next time tho....the old eyes don't work like they used to,,,

OK, I get that there are other choices than the paint pens (though I am puzzled by the regular Sharpie on that label, when I tried using it, the markings disappeared in less than 6 months).

I agree that the label printer is an investment (currently $85 at Staples), but when you have long hybrid names (especially unnamed seedlings) and need to do 25-200 labels, it is invaluable.

Try using an HB pencil it seems to last longer than and a lot cheaper than most pens.
Unless you have access to a label printer I have one comparable with Orchid Wiz and it prints UV protected labels. (I have some just over 5years old and they still look New)

The best I have found so far is a propelling pencil, HB or B 0,7 diam.