Part Three: Asset Label and Asset Tag Materials. Part one of this presentation covered the direction of asset tag trends. Part two covered asset tag design. This part reviews the range of Asset Tag Materials.
Not all asset tags just stick to metal or smooth plastic. That's easy. Let's run through some fairly common asset tag applications that require special solutions.
First, here's a wooden crate. Here we use a really thick, really soft-- in other words gooey-- adhesive. It sticks well. The adhesive gets into the nooks and crannies of that wood.
And the second example is a bike tag that you don't want removed. Yet, it has to be durable enough to last years outside. Here we apply security cuts, these little cuts that prevent clean removal. And we use the AlumiGuard metal asset tag material.
In the third example, let's say you want to count an asset, but you're going to sell it without a label in a year. Polycloth asset labels here are perfect. They have little strands in it that allow them to be removed cleanly a year later. But they really have an aggressive adhesive. It's a natural starch adhesive that's a high end. So it sticks really well for years if you want, as well.
And the last example, we have an asset label that goes on to totes for musical instruments. We really don't want to put a label on a valuable instrument, of course. This asset label actually uses a specially formulated adhesive that's commonly used for back of the rug labels or for tires. It's perfect for asset labels that you want to apply to fabric or totes or canvas.
Stop. Don't open this case. You'll nullify the warranty if you do.
Keep unauthorized people out.
Fragile labels self-destruct when a thief, in trying to cover his or tracks, tries to reuse your label, as shown here. One of the most popular asset tag materials is our Dead Soft label material. Think aluminum foil- soft. We take aluminum and anneal it. In other words, we heat it up and make this aluminum soft.
You can indent this material with a pencil or pen. So even if the writing washes off, you still have a mark that shows what you wrote. It's great for when you want to add information to your label in the field.
Here are two more examples of conformable labels. Our PlioGuard labels work well. One is a handle for a tool, and the other shows a compound curve. These are both ideal PlioGuard applications.
Sometimes an adhesive asset label is not suitable. Hang these asset tags from a handle or a key chain. These asset tags are made from a plastic very similar to a credit card or to your ID badge.
Now that we have talked about the definition of assets and how that has changed, how to design your asset tags and choose the right materials, let's turn to installation. Here's some steps.
Step one. Clean.
Sticking the label to it dirty or oily service is like trying to paint a dirty gutter. It just won't stick. Moreover, if you touch the back of the adhesive with a dirty hand, you actually lose a great deal of the adhesive capabilities, up to 40% for example.
So try not to touch the back of the adhesive on your asset labels.
Step two. Adhere the tags and use pressure to apply the tag.
This roller, shown here, really works well. Sometimes it's hard to believe how well it works. But it really does.
Step three. Wait for 48 hours.
This is the full cure time for adhesives. On the right clean surface, the use of a roller and some patience, you'll find that it's virtually impossible to remove your asset tag.
Finally, let's talk about asset label placement. Tags should not going on a grill, as shown here. Nor in the way. Nor where the temptation to pick at the asset label is irresistible.
Asset labels should be placed consistently in an easy to find and spot and sized to fit.
So that's it. Please call us if you want any more detailed help.
And make sure to ask for some free samples. We'd love to help you out on your next asset tracking and asset tagging project.
Thank you for watching this last part, the Part Three of our trilogy on asset tags.
If you have not done so already, there are two other parts, one on asset tag trends and another one asset tag design.
Well, thank you for listening to all of this. And I want to make sure you understand how easy it is and how beneficial it is to have an effective asset tag program.
Good luck.
