Engraved Labels: The Best 3 Mounting Options

mounting options for engraved labels and signs

After we have engraved labels for electrical or construction, and the engraved labels or tags have passed Action Engraving’s quality assurance process, we take into consideration the chosen mounting option which is predetermined and by several factors. Factors for mounting include the surface the engraved sign will be mounted on and the environment the tag will be placed in.

It’s common that we consider four options for mounting these labels: self adhesive tape, drill holes for screws, drill holes for beaded chains or nylon ties, and magnetic labels. We can help our customers determine the best mounting options for their projects, and some jobs require the use of more than one mounting option.

Adhesive Tape Backing for Engraved Labels

For many of the engraved tags and we send out, we put self adhesive tape on the back.

red plastic tags with adhesive backing

Does adhesive backing work well for engraved tags?

It is very strong and weather resistant. It makes the engraved sign very very difficult to remove. This adhesive backing on our engraved tag with adhesive backing is excellent for indoor or outdoor application. It’s a good alternative to screws. Using our double sided tape means your engraved tag immediately sticks to smooth and rough surfaces, and makes a long-lasting, weatherproof bond ideal for indoors and outdoors.

Installation of labels with adhesive backing.

The industrial-strength double sided tape backing on your engraved labels means a quick installation for your engraved tags on panels, doors, machinery, metal, plastic, glass, cement, ceramic and more. Your tag will hold in place permanently and not be removed. However, if your engraved label will be exposed to harsh chemicals or solvents (if the area continually needs to be washed down or if there are solvents and oils that the label will come into contact with) adhesive may not be the right mounting option for your project.

Adhesive backing – how strong is it?

This video shows the strength of industrial double sided tape backing on your engraved labels:

Drilled Holes for Engraved Labels

Using drill holes for 1) screws, 2) chains, or 3) straps used to mount engraved electrical device covers and switch plates has been a standard mounting option for a long while.

Although this is an older method for mounting engraved signs and labels, using drill holes as the attachment method for your engraved tag to label your machinery is an excellent way to install your engraved signage. Drill holes can be used for fastening labels to a surface with screws, or for threading beaded chains or nylon ties through the holes to affix to the surface which is often used for pipes and engraved valve tags.

engraved yellow tag with black letters

When to use drill holes for engraved labels.

Any surface that should not be punctured should not use screws and chain or straps is a better method. Brass and stainless steel chain is very resistant to chemicals and weather, and is often used on pipes.

Magnetic Engraved Labels

Another option for mounting your engraved labels is one of the newest options for mounting engraved signs – it’s using sheet magnet. Sheet magnet is a thin layer of plastic embedded with particles of magnetized steel. There are millions of these steel particles in every sheet of this plastic, but the plastic remains flexible and adheres strongly to steel extremely well.

When to use a magnetic engraved sign.

Because the label is flexible, it is additionally adherent as it can flex with the surface it is placed on. It’s a good option for identification of a curved or somewhat irregular surface.

Magnetic engraved labels adhere more strongly that you might think, but these labels aren’t considered a “permanent marking” care must be taken when choosing this type of engraved label mounting. Their ability to be removed and placed elsewhere is a strength however, when you may need to label something temporarily or to rotate or move the label to reflect a status that is ever changing.

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