Cable Labels? How do I make them.

[Bryan Fowler]

I'd like to make custom labels for my custom cables.

Any leads on a label maker that isn't $400?

 

Or even stickers that I could hand write?

 

Thanks 'yall'

[Mark Schlicher]

I use a P-touch PT-2430. Hooks to the computer. You use a special laminated flexible tape that is designed for cables. It works pretty well. The software is kind of clunky but workable. Buy.com used to put them on sale for about $30 from time to time. Labels look good.

 

Radio shack sells hand-writable cable labeling tape but it's awful.

[Victor Lazaro]

cheap solution is computer printer (print in super small or hand write) then clear heat shrink tubing around the piece of paper

[Bryan Fowler]

Thanks guy. I'll check out the P-touch.

Most of these cables Victor have already been made, so I can't do the clear heat shrink thing, even though that's what I'd like.

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

Depending on the size of your connector ends, you may still be able to slide some clear heat shrink over the end. ( also some connectors have the option to unscrew the back, and remove the bulky front of the connector for a slimmer outer diameter for this project).

Grab a set of Long Needle nose pliers, slide the nose into the heat shrink tubing and pull on the plier handles, this will stretch the end, do the same on the other side, there is a bit of trial and error in this but it does work, your kind of massaging the plastic into thinning out and stretch, and you will then be able to slide it over the connector end, and over your nicely printed label, then a heat gun in short bursts and you'll be done.

 

Terry West was kind enough to show me this once while at his place getting cables done. Saved him time and me money!

But not all connectors will be able to have this done, and different manufacturers of heat shrink tubing have better or worse results. But if you get 5 out of 10 cables done, isn't that a great day anyway?

 

While your printing the labels, don't forget your name, number and what the cable is for and from what!

[Robert Starling SOC]

Ozzie is right. Until I started having my cables made with labels that is what I did. You can stretch the heat shrink quite a bit more than you think. Also on some of my larger camera cables I did a thin Ptouch label around the barrel of the connector closest to the cable and then put a heat shrink on it.

 

Ptouch is like $99 but you'll pay $$ for the tape itself. But cheaper than lost or stolen cables.

 

Robert