I am lookng for some CHEAP way to label plants. I saw a label maker at Wal-Mart but the tape said .. for protected areas outdoor..They didn't even have any of that type. They had mostly paper tape. The maker wasn't that cheap but could have been worse. We are using blinds strips with sharpie but that doesn't hold up. I find the paint ones hard to write with. Any Ideas??
labels
use a pencil on your miniblind markers, won't wash off in the rain. I've had some since last spring, still just like I wrote on them.
Yes, pencil works the best for me also. All the other markers I used are long gone. Pencil marks last unless you rub them off...........which I do to reuse my plastic markers.
I haven't tried pencil. I use Rub a dub laundry marker on vinyl mini blind. So far it has held up well, but you can't erase to re-use). Get the cheapest blind you can find, usually around $4 (if you can't find one on the street) will make hundreds of markers.
Just don't use a Sharpie! Thankfully I mapped out my hostas as well as labeled them, as the Sharpie faded completely over the winter.
Yes, DH also made a map of his Hostas so he know where they are. I am always jotting number & junk on my monitor. It seems like they fade away. I'll have to try it on markers as maybe on my puter is getting rubbed. I tried a laundry marker & couldn't write with it. Maybe it was a different brand. I guess the main thing is to keep records too.
Use a permanent marker that has 'lightfast' as well on the label, they will withstand the fading.
I use Lumocolor permanent marker by Staedtler with 'Lightfast' on the label on my miniblinds, the printing lasts as long as the blind does for me.
RA49 where do you get these markers at? I really do prefer the darkness of a marker because I can read it at a distance rather than getting close to every label to read. Every marker that I have tried does not last. This one sounds like something that I need.
I'm curious too where to find these markers. I have trouble reading the pencil marks with these old eyes and the Sharpies do fade..
Don't forget, I live in Canada.... I get them at Grand and Toy, a stationary supply store.
I also found them on line, in many different types and colors....
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/artcity-com/stm-313x.html
I found some "lightfast", "weatherproof", permanent markers in my local Craft store. They offer different varieties, so you need to read the labels carefully. I am very pleased with the one that I found. I can get you the name of the manufacturer, if anyone is interested.
I live in Denmark and here Penol pens are a very good and very used brand. They have one called "Penol 777" fine line - permanent and I use it to write on plastic labels.
ops! Forgot the link:
http://www.penol.dk/main.html
This message was edited Thursday, Apr 10th 7:04 PM
If you choose to use pencil, get either a carpenter's pencil or a child's kindergarten (big round) pencil. They make a bigger mark than the #2 and are easier to read. Still not as easy as a black marker, but better.