Tony Ferraro | June 24, 2014

How to Make Your Labels and Signs Last

When using safety labels and signs in your facility, it is important to do everything you can to help keep them in good condition. While these items are durable, and can stand up to normal wear and tear, it is best to take precautions to help avoid unnecessary damage, so they will last for years.

The following three tips can help to dramatically extend the usable life of any labels or signs in the facility. In addition to just keeping them in good condition, however, remember that you also need to keep them clean and easy to read, or they will lose all effectiveness, regardless of what condition they are in.

Tip #1 – Proper Installation on a Clean Dry Surface

The biggest thing you can do to help extend the life of your labels and signs is to ensure you take the time to install them properly. If you attempt to install a sign on a dirty surface, for example, it will begin to come loose very quickly. This is because the dust or dirt on the wall won’t allow the sign to stick completely.

There are many other things that can contribute to causing your signs or labels to come down too quickly, which is why it is so important to have them installed correctly. With this in mind, here are a few simple ways to ensure you are installing your signs and labels on a surface that is in the right conditions:

  • Remove Debris – The first thing you should do when putting up a new sign is take a moment to remove any debris from the area where it will be placed. This is especially important if you are replacing an old sign. You’ll want to scrape away any remaining pieces of the old sign before putting up the new one.
  • Wash the Wall – Once you’ve gotten all the larger debris off the area, take a cleaning solution and wash down the wall as good as possible. This will remove the dirt and dust that could cause the sign to start to come off prematurely.
  • Dry the Wall – You need to be sure that the wall is 100% dry before you put up a new sign. This can be done by leaving the wall to dry on its own, or use a heat gun or fan to dry it more rapidly. When putting up these signs, also make sure to do it at a time when the humidity in the air is not very high, as even this can cause issues.
  • Apply Direct Pressure – Once you’ve got the sign or label up on the wall, make sure you apply firm, direct pressure to every part of the sign. Ideally, if you can use a large flat object to evenly apply pressure over the entire sign; that will help it to stick to the wall properly.
  • Choosing Quality Sign & Label Stock – When printing off your signs and labels, you need to make sure you are using the highest quality sign or label stock available. While some cheap materials may work for a time, they will go bad much more quickly. Instead, opt for a more durable, long lasting medium for creating your signs or labels.

Proper installation does take longer to complete than just pressing the sign or label up on the wall where it belongs. Over time, however, you will end up having to replace the signs much more frequently, which means it ends up taking a lot more of your time and resources. This is why proper installation is the most important thing to consider when placing your signs.

 

Tip #2 – Apply in Highly Visible Areas. Not behind things or near Tools that can Damage the Sign

Choosing the location where your sign will go is almost as important as installing it properly. Find a place that will be easy to see by everyone in the area, but is still very protected. You should avoid installing these signs near tool racks or other areas where they could get damaged when people are working in the area.

Also, avoid installing them near a direct heat source, as this can cause the glue on the signs or labels to come loose much more quickly than would otherwise happen. Putting signs up in a place where the temperature tends to stay as even as possible is a good idea.

When choosing the location of your signs, however, keep in mind that visibility is the most important thing. No matter how long a sign lasts, it will do no good if people can’t easily see it. This often means that you have to balance between good visibility, and safety for the sign.

In most cases you should be able to identify a place that will both be easy to see, and safe for the sign. Even if it takes a little longer to identify that perfect location, it is something that will be worth the effort in the long run.

Tip #3 – Apply Industrial Label Protectant for Added Protection

While most signs and labels that are installed in a good location, and using the proper installation techniques will last for a long time, it is often a good idea to use a label protectant for further durability.

This label protectant will cover the label with a clear material (like our SafetyTac Clear protection) that will help keep it safe from moisture, dirt, impacts and many other hazards as well. It is an inexpensive item, and is quite easy to apply, which is why many facilities today use it on all their signs and labels.

If you’re looking to make sure your safety signs are going to last for as long as possible, this is one of the best ways to do it. This protector is also very easy to clean, using just normal cleaning solutions and a cloth, so it can help you to keep your signs and labels looking their best at all times.

You will typically want to wrap your signs and labels with the label protectant to ensure it covers all the edges. This will help reduce the possibility of the sign getting scratched or damaged. It also helps to keep the moisture away from the edges, where it can slowly seep in over time.

A Little Effort up Front will Save Time in the Future

Each of these simple tips will only take a few extra minutes to implement, but they can extend the life of your labels and signs by years. This is a great way to minimize the replacement costs of these items in the future, so you’re saving a significant amount of money.

Of course, saving money isn’t the only reason these tips are helpful. Keeping your signs and labels in good condition will help ensure everyone in the facility can see them, and benefit from them when working in that area.

You’ll also be eliminating the wasted time and energy that will be required for replacing or repairing signs in the future, so keeping signs safe is really a very lean concept. So, whether you’re replacing your signs today, or you just want to help extend the life of your existing ones, try putting these great tips into practice in your facility right away.

Our LabelTac Industrial Label Printers can help to create customized safety labels and signs that are able to withstand the harsh elements that often accompany many workplace settings. To find out more information about LabelTac printers, please click HERE or visit Creative Safety Supply.

 

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