Few Questions About Embossed Tape Label Makers

[-Brent-]

I've never owned one but I would like to label hardware storage and I actually like the look of the embossed tape. Plus, something that can operate without batteries would be a plus. The printer-style ones are great and all but I wouldn't use it enough and when I do need it the batteries would likely be dead... haha.

Some things I'm still wondering even after research.

1) Do the dials wear out? If so, how much use do you get out of one?

2) The vintage units look sturdier (better built/less plastic) and I'm fan of vintage but if it's junk I want to stay away... so I'd like to know what y'all think about that.

3) The unit I'm specifically looking at (eBay) is the DYMO 1570 because there are a bunch of them (with cases and such) and if the dials do wear out, I can likely get another pretty easily.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[WWheeler]

It's been decades since we used to have to use that style label maker. I work in an industrial setting where everything must have a footprint where it goes - everything - or it isn't allowed on the floor. If a tool or your drink or your pen or paperwork or whatever isn't in your hand it has to be in it's footprint.

My memories of using that manual dial embossed tape label maker are not good ones. We've been using small budget calculator-style Brother, Epson and Dymo print label makers for years now. Regardless of brand, the models we get cost $20-$30 (they all have adapters that plug in the wall - we don't use batteries) and they get used daily by lots of different people and tend to last a couple years and make thousands of labels before they start to give us problems.

We are constantly changing processes and moving things around so we tend to make a lot of labels that days or weeks later we will have to scrape off and make more. I typically have to put 10-12 rolls of various-sized tape in the bin (labeled by a footprint) next to the labelmaker (also in its footprint) in my dept on a Sunday when I come in and that's almost never enough to get through the week before I have to go back to the crib and get more.

Being able to easily make a wide variety of labels in different widths and font styles is a big plus, and the tape tends to stick better and be legible for longer when constantly being exposed to shop lubricants and cleaning chemicals than the old embossed tape ever did.

That's my too sense anywho

 

[rlitman]

I haven't seen one of these used since the 80's.

Here's a few reasons to consider an electronic label maker.
1) Speed. It takes infinite patience to turn that damn wheel for every single letter, as opposed to using a keyboard (whether or not the keyboard is qwerty or alphabetically ordered).
2) Lowercase. Only available in electronic (or if you can find a lowercase only embossing wheel; good luck with that).
3) Multiple lines and sizes. Electronic labelers can use different sized tapes, and print multi-line labels.
4) Wrap labels. Some electronic labelers can print labels sideways to wrap descriptive labels on wires (we use these EXTENSIVELY at work).
5) Magnetic labels. I have magnetic label tape that I use on my steel tool boxes. It's great that I can reposition some labels easily.
6) Clear labels. For when I want the lettering to stand out from the background, but don't want a solid color label to mess up the look of something. Clear labels are simply awesome!

In my garage, I have a wooden storage cabinet with 48 drawers. I considered making labels for the drawers, but I ended up buying metal label frames that I can slip a card into. With brass screws, these just looked better on the wood cabinet.

As for embossed labels, yeah, they do have a cool aesthetic. I could see them in Jack Olson's garage, going well with his "institutional green" paint, but they're too inconvenient for me.

 

[rlitman]

...and the tape tends to stick better and be legible for longer when constantly being exposed to shop lubricants and cleaning chemicals than the old embossed tape ever did...

On a goof, I was looking up embossed tape labels, and found the Rhino M1011. That thing embosses aluminum or stainless tapes. You can get adhesive backed tapes, or the labeler can punch holes so you can attach your labels with rivets, and another die that punches a slot to attach with nylon bands.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

Someone recently gave me several embossed type label makers and many reels of label from the '70's. After using it once I threw the whole box in the trash.

Modern style label makers are the only way to go.

Good Luck!

 

[FJ 432]

The font size (too small) was the reason why I moved away from the dial.

 

[-Brent-]

See, this is why I love this place. Thanks, all. Okay, I have some homework to do. Still, part of me wants to use one... maybe because I've never used one before. Haha.

I should note, I don't have any industrial uses for one of these. I used a Brother's P-something or other when I was installing/maintaining commercial equipment and I don't remember ever having an issue other than thinking the font was small (So, that's interesting, FJ 432, that we each think the other font is too small). If I had to do hundreds of these than the archaic dial would be out.

On the printer style, do they require ink cartridges or is it thermal or what?

 

[wmm2]

I've never owned one but I would like to label hardware storage and I actually like the look of the embossed tape. Plus, something that can operate without batteries would be a plus. The printer-style ones are great and all but I wouldn't use it enough and when I do need it the batteries would likely be dead... haha.

Some things I'm still wondering even after research.

1) Do the dials wear out? If so, how much use do you get out of one?

2) The vintage units look sturdier (better built/less plastic) and I'm fan of vintage but if it's junk I want to stay away... so I'd like to know what y'all think about that.

3) The unit I'm specifically looking at (eBay) is the DYMO 1570 because there are a bunch of them (with cases and such) and if the dials do wear out, I can likely get another pretty easily.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

1 - I don't know if the dials wear out. If they do, it takes a long time.
2 - I have a "vintage" one (from the 70s) that is all plastic. It got used a lot and shows no sign of wearing out
3 - Specific models. Try to find one that takes less force to make labels. If you're worried about wearing out the label maker, you will wear out your wrist first with RSI. Use one for a day, and you'll have great sympathy for anyone with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Things you didn't ask:

The embossed labels don't deal very well with sticking to a curved surface. The closer to flat, the better

Time. You can make your labels a lot faster with one of the newer label printers, and have a variety of fonts available, and probably cheaper

Batteries. I think your concern is overstated. Just like a flashlight, use some generic alkaline batteries. They do just fine in storage for extended periods. Buy some on sale, and keep a few extras on hand

We got one free when we bought a shredder some years ago. I prefer it by far over the embossed type label makers

 

[WWheeler]

I never was able to get the hang of those dial label makers. You had to have a consistent and quite strong hand pressure to form the letter and have it advance to the next position. If not the letters look completely different from one another and often the tape didn't move a consistent distance. You were always several letters in before what you did would start to appear out the side and more often than not in my case I would see that my last couple minutes worth of work was garbage - one letter you can see and the next you couldn't or two letters would have gotten formed over top of one another - and I'd have to use the cutter and start all over again. And the cutters often wouldn't work right, especially when it wasn't brand new. We would usually just feed extra tape out so we could cut it with scissors which wasted lots of tape.

 

[6PTsocket]

See, this is why I love this place. Thanks, all. Okay, I have some homework to do. Still, part of me wants to use one... maybe because I've never used one before. Haha.

I should note, I don't have any industrial uses for one of these. I used a Brother's P-something or other when I was installing/maintaining commercial equipment and I don't remember ever having an issue other than thinking the font was small (So, that's interesting, FJ 432, that we each think the other font is too small). If I had to do hundreds of these than the archaic dial would be out.

On the printer style, do they require ink cartridges or is it thermal or what?

The font size is what you want it to be with electronic labels. You can fill the tape width and if that is too small you can get much wider tape and fill that. If that is not big enough, the more sophisticated label makers let you print the upper and lower half of the characters on two strips of tape and piece them together. Those metal embossed labels are neat but that is probably an expensive industrial machine with very limited flexibility. Dymo barely supports those old embossers and tape will be hard to find and probably all dried out. I have a plasic one and a pretty chrome plated metal one in a drawer but I am a hoarder and never throw away anything. The term you were looking for is Brother P Touch. They make a wide variety of specialty tapes for all applications. Mine, now discontinued, can download images and put them on the tape. The resolution is low but try that with an embosser.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

...Those metal embossed labels are neat but that is probably an expensive industrial machine with very limited flexibility...

Ludicrously so, but hey, this is an internet forum, so it's kind of a requirement.

 

[southalabama]

Haven't used the old embossed ones since prob the mid 80's. You have to press evenly or you have one letter that looks out of whack. Then after a few your hand hurts.

Get a dymo label manager for $15-19 bucks and be done with it. You can change font sizes and print symbols.

 

[MikeF2316]

My dad loved his old Dymo label maker. We bought him a fancy Brother label maker about 10 years ago, but he kept using his Dymo.

So I grew up with Dymo (embossed) labels. As mentioned, they do like to fall off stuff. Their other flaw is they loose their "whiteness" if put near something so they are pressed on, like a switch. You can still read them, but the contrast from stretching the tape is gone.

 

[southalabama]

On YouTube channel Tested Adam Savage builds a box to hold a microscope or something. He wants it to look vintage so he distresses it and you guessed it. He used old label maker and put on embossed labels.

When they were cleaning out granny's house after her passing they cleaned out her little secretary desk. No one wanted the old label maker. I took it. Had her name on it and I had recalled using it as a kid, 40 years ago.

 

[-Brent-]

...

Things you didn't ask:

...

Thank you for including that info. That's stuff I wasn't really thinking about.

 

[rharman]

I used to be lightning fast with one of those. Wouldn't go near one now though. Get the P-Touch from Costco.

 

[dogzbody1]

I have a dymo and a brother p touch.
I use the brother for all forms household and garage organization.
I use the dymo for label on old toolboxes and the like.
The brake booster on my '69 TR6 is labeled _Castrol LMA Only", somehow dymo seems more appropriate even if the brother label is neater and easier to read.
They are cheap enough to have one of each.

Now that Rhino label machine is interesting....

 

[so2315]

I have 2 of the new electronic label makers, and the thing that pisses me off the most is hat it seems to use 3-4 inches of tape on each side of what I want to type. Wastes tape to no end!

 

[DFB]

Oh gosh I would never go back to using one if I had any amount of labeling to do and would quickly purchase an electronic label maker instead.

I long time ago I did all the poly bolt and nut bins on my storage rack using one those older style label makers but after awhile many of the labels came loose and fell off



Actually I still have the tool and some tapes in box down in the garage.

 

[Dave455]

I've got an old one that belonged to my Grandfather. It's not a Dymo, but similar thing.

He used it a lot - most of his stuff was labeled up. Labels were easy to read and looked really professional. He colour coded stuff like nuts and bolts so he could tell Whitworth from American sizes straight off! Biggest advantage was that labels were damp, and even water, proof! Pens on paper always seem to run or fade eventually!

Wear issues? Not as I recall! I've still got the thing and it still works fine! Getting the tapes is still not a problem!

A company I used to work for had one of those 'heavy duty' models that used aluminium tapes. They used to make metal labels so if they were overhauling an aero engine they could wire a metal label to each part while it was cleaned! The thing could use plastic tape as well!

 

[WWheeler]

I have 2 of the new electronic label makers, and the thing that pisses me off the most is hat it seems to use 3-4 inches of tape on each side of what I want to type. Wastes tape to no end!

Not sure what brand / model you have, but every one I've used so far (brother p touch mostly I think) has a setting to allow you to adjust the margin - the amount of tape used at the beginning and end. By default it is longer than need be, but I've never seen one use anywhere near 3-4 inches on each end. Not even 1/3 that much.

example:

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

My Dad had one of those Dymo label makers many decades ago. We had one at the airport back in early 70's we used. If i had any amount of labeling to do my hand would get sore and it would take so long to spin the dial and squeeze. Labels fell off eventually.

When I bought the race car in 2005 I noticed Junie Donlavey's guys had used Brother P-touch labels in areas that got oily and dirty and the labels stayed on in spite of the harsh environment. So I asked for a brother for Christmas. Love it.

Batteries seem to last forever.

Then I discovered P-Touch Direct. Great source for machines send tapes at a reasonable price. I was really surprised at how many different tapes there are. For allowing kids of uses. Check it out.

Brother P-Touch all the way. If you need to go "old school" then go with Dymo and the plastic tapes. Dymo plastic tapes were used to label the dash on the original Shelby Cobras.

 

[6PTsocket]

See, this is why I love this place. Thanks, all. Okay, I have some homework to do. Still, part of me wants to use one... maybe because I've never used one before. Haha.

I should note, I don't have any industrial uses for one of these. I used a Brother's P-something or other when I was installing/maintaining commercial equipment and I don't remember ever having an issue other than thinking the font was small (So, that's interesting, FJ 432, that we each think the other font is too small). If I had to do hundreds of these than the archaic dial would be out.

On the printer style, do they require ink cartridges or is it thermal or what?

The new ones do not require ink. They are thermal. I cannot speak for all but the two I have owned will run off a wall wart that comes with it or is a cheap option. No batteries required. Alkalines have a 10 year shelf life and if you hardly ever use the printer the batteries should last for years. I can' t remember the last time I changed mine. It sounds like you are determined to try one with an embosser wheel no matter anybody says. It is not a huge investment But one and satisfy your curiosity. Your hand will wear out before the wheel.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

My Dad had one of those Dymo label makers many decades ago. We had one at the airport back in early 70's we used. If i had any amount of labeling to do my hand would get sore and it would take so long to spin the dial and squeeze. Labels fell off eventually.

When I bought the race car in 2005 I noticed Junie Donlavey's guys had used Brother P-touch labels in areas that got oily and dirty and the labels stayed on in spite of the harsh environment. So I asked for a brother for Christmas. Love it.

Batteries seem to last forever.

Then I discovered P-Touch Direct. Great source for machines send tapes at a reasonable price. I was really surprised at how many different tapes there are. For allowing kids of uses. Check it out.

Brother P-Touch all the way. If you need to go "old school" then go with Dymo and the plastic tapes. Dymo plastic tapes were used to label the dash on the original Shelby Cobras.

The calculations that got us to the Moon were done on a slide rule. I guess the Cobra was concieved primarily as a race car and cosmetics were not much of a consideration. The body already existed and was not purpose built. I guess the later ones had a more permanent way to mark the dash l.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Coolabah]

Oh gosh I would never go back to using one if I had any amount of labeling to do and would quickly purchase an electronic label maker instead.

I long time ago I did all the poly bolt and nut bins on my storage rack using one those older style label makers but after awhile many of the labels came loose and fell off



Actually I still have the tool and some tapes in box down in the garage.

Here are my thoughts.
I LOVE labels. I have one of the older style "Braille" type Dymo to many brother P-touch types. My thoughts :
1/ I labelled some outdoors stuff with old school dymo- totally faded to white all round after like 5 years in the Aussie sun ( think Texas) but I can STILL read the words.
2/ I labelled some interior windows with newer P-Touch labels .... be aware they WILL fade in the sun to = unreadable after 2 years or so
3/ I then upgraded and Used the z-series tapes (with pro-series labellmaker PT-E550WVP instead of the consumer grade-

awesome.
HTH , my 2 cents worth

 

[FullRaceMerc]

We used them in the hardware store where I worked as a kid. We had multiple sizes for different tasks. All Dymo brand.

As mentioned above you had to have a good & even grip to make consistent looking letters. The impression would stretch the plastic, which would turn white at the stretched points. If you didn't grip tight enough they wouldn't be as bold as the letter beside them.

We used them a lot & got pretty quick, but still much slower than modern label makers. I wouldn't choose one today unless it was for a project that needed a period look.

 

[DFB]

Here are my thoughts.
I LOVE labels. I have one of the older style "Braille" type Dymo to many brother P-touch types. My thoughts :
1/ I labelled some outdoors stuff with old school dymo- totally faded to white all round after like 5 years in the Aussie sun ( think Texas) but I can STILL read the words.
2/ I labelled some interior windows with newer P-Touch labels .... be aware they WILL fade in the sun to = unreadable after 2 years or so
3/ I then upgraded and Used the z-series tapes (with pro-series labellmaker PT-E550WVP instead of the consumer grade-

awesome.
HTH , my 2 cents worth

All good points.

Some years back I computer printed labels for different lidded pails stored around in my shed and greenhouse that hold different fertilizer blends. Most of the original ink print has faded so badly you can barely read some of them.

 

[The Cobbler]

there are different grades of thermal label tape, and different machines take different label types.
I use a brother p-touch and printed some identifiers for quick reference on same looking debit cards . They have been in my wallet for several years and no noticeable degradation.
I have a dymo label printer that uses a less expensive tape and the durability is not the same, from adhesive to durability of the label itself. Then I have a dymo address label printer that is even less than that. It's all about what the purpose is and what label you use ( IMO)

 

[FJ 432]

Brent,

One other option for you to consider.

If you google DYMO font you will find several places where you can download for free a font that can be added to your computer. It looks like the old DYMO impact labels but you can use the size of font even the color in some cases.

This way you can use a sticker backing paper through your printer and create to your heart's content.

I have a thermal printer now but I've consider using this to create a bumper sticker sized label in my garage. I'm like you in that I like the look of the old embossed DYMO stickers.

 

[dnschmidt]

Brother P-touch. Dymo is dead.

 

[L5wolvesf]

I have an old (over 30 years) red plastic Dymo like the 1570 that still makes very good labels. The dial and numbers are still clear. Only minor problem is the cutter has never really worked perfectly. It takes a hard squeeze to cut completely. I've quite happy with it.

 

[-Brent-]

Fellas, I am thankful for the way this thread turned out. I appreciate all the knowledge.

I ended up borrowing a P-touch from work. This one was uber-simple to use and it still took a while to get all my labels done. So, I can only imagine how much time using the embossed type would take.

Here's what I was working with:



Here's the result:



I put a couple more on after this. The embossed labels are so stuck on I am going to need some heat to soften them and get them off.

I'll admit it was/is the better way to go.

 

[gungatim]

I have 2 of the new electronic label makers, and the thing that pisses me off the most is hat it seems to use 3-4 inches of tape on each side of what I want to type. Wastes tape to no end!

I've got a P-touch and hated that as well. just space out the words and print it all in one, then manually cut them to save on tape.

paid over $100 for my first one when they came out. last one I got at a sale for $5.

I also have a mustard colored dymo with a few rolls of tape. it's on the shelf as a decoration...

can you even buy the dymo tape anymore? I know they used to come in rolls or in 3" sticks...

 

[rlitman]

...Here's what I was working with:

...

Any reason you didn't buy some card stock, and print labels on the computer to fit into the label slots in those drawers?

 

[-Brent-]

Main reason was I wanted to avoid all the trimming and fitting. As well, for the price of materials (I'd have to buy more than I need), it seemed like a waste to me. Finally, I'm going to label some toolbox drawers and wanted some uniformity.

 

[PelicanPines]

If you look at my profile... there is a photo album of my garage... everything is labeled. I have 3 label makers. 2 x 1/2 inch and a 1 inch that is connected to my computer. It lets me do multiple line and print graphics. I use labels on my toolbox(s) too but put the labels on magnetic strips so it makes moving tools easy.

I have not seen an embossed system in a lot of years.

Someone already answered one of your current concerns... change the margins on the label print... it adjusts the waste.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Guess I'm one of the few people who still likes the old Dymo label makers. Yes, they're slow and you're limited to one style font but they do the job. I have a label maker I got probably 40 years ago, it still works fine. The hardest part is probably finding new reels of the label tape.

In the case of the drawer labels above, you should be able to get 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of label stock at office supply stores that are perforated so you can easily separate them into individual labels. Avery (and probably other companies that sell this sort of thing) have word processing templates available on their websites, that will correctly space out the text so it fits inside the perforated labels.

 

[Wyoming09]

I have a couple of the old Dymo labelmakers in the basement. Don't use 'em much. I also have a Brother P-Touch. Use it quite a lot but never with out an attached laptop. The computer software allows you to do many things that the labeler by itself cannot do including importing clipart. Also much easier to modify fonts styles, sizes and you get to see the label before you print it.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have a couple of the old Dymo labelmakers in the basement. Don't use 'em much. I also have a Brother P-Touch. Use it quite a lot but never with out an attached laptop. The computer software allows you to do many things that the labeler by itself cannot do including importing clipart. Also much easier to modify fonts styles, sizes and you get to see the label before you print it.

My P Touch has similar features. Which model do you have? I know mine is discontinued. I usually use it as a stand alone to print basic labels but there are two programs available, stored on my laotop, a quick one and a more full featured one

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ford2019]

Oh, man. The brother dk2205 label is a really good price. It fits perfectly, sticks where it needs to, and the print is clear and doesn't smudge. It seems no different from the OEM product, but it's much cheaper. Easy to fit and simple to use. Labelling doesn't get much easier than this.