does anyone have any recommendations as to how to do the brugmansia and datura tag labels? there has to be an easier way than hand writing all of them!
Those of you with business's what do you use?
Anyone know of a company that stocks these tags?
Any info will be greatly appreciated!
Plant tag labels
Most places that sell tags by the thousand will print them for you, but it is expensive. You can also buy printers that will print the tags, but again, expensive. Maybe someone else will know of a good way to do it.
I hand write between 5-6 thousand plant tags annually.
:-)
next year perhaps we'll get a tag printer, at the moment we get tags from John Henry company that are blank on one side and have our business info on the other.
We just grow too wide a variety to have them all printed up.
Drew
I guess you could print them on your computer printer and then individually laminate them. That would take more time than hand labeling though.
Another thing I've thought about doing is assigning a number to each variety/cultivar, batch of seeds, etc., and then just keeping my master list with all the information regarding that plant in one central place. For now I keep the master list AND all the information attached to each plant.
We are hand writing about 3000 this year.There must be a better way.
Gee, I just did only 50 this morning and was complaining!
I am using a pencil and notice when the tag gets dirty outside I have a hard time reading it. Too light. What do you all use to write your tags with? thanks
Kell, try fine point Sharpie.
Brother P-touch makes a label maker that can hook up to your puter and print out labels.
Okay well i don't feel so bad now! I am doing the same thing everyone else is currently. Yep! I use the medium tip sharpie and have no problems except for the tip wearing out to soon because i press so hard after writing for a bit.
Well i wish i was rich and could buy that label sytem maker now!
I buy blank labels [stakes]. They are attached to each other, in strips of 10. I design my labels, complete with my business logo, the botanical name and the common name. I then print them on transparent envelope return tags, 80 to a sheet. Then with tweezers I lift a label and apply it to the tag. When the whole 10 strip is done I follow with clear tape, firmly covering the label to seal out moisture and keep the ink from running. With a razor blade I cut the tape at the label joints, then snap each label free. If I'm working with single labels I cut individual tape lengths to wrap around the label.
I use clear because I have different color tags, yellow to identify the yellow brugs: Charles Grimaldi, Suaveolens Yellow, etc. Pink tags for the pink varieties, etc.
I use paint markers to mark on blank labels, it doesn't fade in the sun like Sharpie will over time.
I have a thermal transfer printer, but it's a lot of trouble to set up so I never use it. Sue, that label maker sounds like it might work.
A friend gave me a P-Touch last year, but it isn't the kind that hooks to the puter. The tapes are very expensive for it, but I do buy the laminated tape and will give it a shot in the summer weather this year and see what happens. It was great for labeling the cannas last fall.
I also found that Sharpie faded in the sun. I have some "blank" tags from several years ago. I now use "Rub-a-Dub" laundry marker. I buy the cheapest vinyl mini-blind (usually $3.50 for 24" x 72") and cut them into 5-6" pieces. I either push them into the soil or punch a hole and hang from a branch.
So far the Rub-a-Dub marker is best. I used sharpie last year and tags were faded. The ones done first with the rub a dub were still pretty clear and they have been on longer.
I am going to try the embossed tags since I don't have that many to do yet and I think they will stay on the best..
Dee
I always have trouble with fading in this California sun. Mary what kind of paint pen? From a craft store? How many years can you see it?
Linda, rub a dub, I heard this before. I actually went to Walmart one day and stood before all their pens looking for an odd name that I had read on here but could not remember it. I didn't find any. I think it was rub a dub. Does Walmart sell it in their pen section? I am desperate for tags, I have been spending about $4 for 50 at HD. I may try the blinds. Lowes here I come!
I have seen blinds at garage sales, think I will start picking them up and cutting them for tags. Lots of yall use those don't you....
Dee
Kell: I bought a mini-blind at Wal-Mart for $2.47 and I got tons (I didn't count them) of labels out of them. I used the ends that were rounded as stakes and the middle portion I used to make hang tags. I'll never buy plant labels again!
PS Sorry about the holes...I have baby grasshoppers that are having Christmas dinner on my brugs!
This message was edited Mar 9, 2004 12:01 PM
I use cheap miniblinds from Wally world, I find them at garage sales sometimes too. I found a waterproof/sun proof paint pen at Paper Zone, it works great.
Kell, yes rub-a-dub is at walmart, with the other pens. 2/$1.75 I just love them.
Maybe this will help....Rub-a Dub is a laundry marker. Possibly there are also other brands??
Kell, I got the paint markers at a craft store. I think they may have them at office supply places,too. Get the fine point.
http://www.durablesupply.com/unipainmar.html
This message was edited Mar 9, 2004 5:16 PM
I heard theres some markers that are UV safe , don't fade in the sun
can't remember where I read it.....or where to get it....obviously,cause mine are all faded....
I didn't have good luck with the paint markers and now I can't find the laundry markers. Will keep looking. A soft lead pencil has worked well, so I don't know why I want to change. LOL!
try thin archival pens in the scrapbook sections of stores. They come in all different colors
Mellinger's sells permanent markers that don't fade.
Oh guys, you can't give me so many choices! LOL. Too many choices always leads me to inactivity!
Hello all dont know if this will help but a friend of mine that sells at the market uses the mini blinds, but she uses 2, she says that the one in the back doesnt fade out and she swears by this and she has beds and beds of lilys and has never had a problem. not sure what marker she uses. Have a great evening.Carolyn
I also have some china markers, bought them at Office Depot, and supposedly that doesn't fade. It is kinda like a grease pen.
mdreams01,that double mini-blind idea is a gem.I'm going to that ,tomorrow,for my outside plants.
What about a waterproof/weatherproof label? This website has them for laser printers only. Wonder if they really work???
http://www.worldlabel.com/pages/wl-ol850.htm
here's another
http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/g11924.html
My mission tomorrow (I hope) is to stop by Staples and see if they have them. I will keep you all posted :)
I am so chuffed.... I went and bought a blind at HD for $4.84 and started cutting 6 inch tags. I just love them! For under $5 I do not think I will ever run out. 1 blind makes tons! Why I didn't listen to Brugie last year when she told me................ I should know by now that Brugie always knows best!
And today in the mail I found that Linda sent me 2 of the Rub a Dub pens. Thanks so much Linda, what a sweetheart. I owe you one! I had not yet found them so they were heaven sent!
Why don't I take my own advice? I've been buying tags. I guess I get too lazy to cut the blinds apart and the newer blinds are so flimsy.
Oh these are not flimsy at all, they stick into the pot without bending Brugie. I just love them. Also they are wider so I can write more. I track pollination, harvest, germinaton dates on the tags and I can write them across clearly. Plenty of room..
I went to Staples today and they did not have Waterproof labels in stock. The sales guy told may that avery does make them... I'm gonna keep looking...
I still have old blinds that I've saved. Guess I better get to whacking on them. It won't be long and I'll need some hanging tags on the trees in the yard.
I punch a hole and tie on with panty hose.
I'm going to have to go buy some cheap pantyhose. Thanks.
Found out last week that blinds are very easy to 'snap' apart and you don't need the scissors. If they don't 'snap' on the first bend, bend them back the other way and they'll split. :) P.S. This was a new blind, don't know if old ones or different brands would break as easily.