exterior plant label markers

[miamicuse]

What would be a good label marker to use on plastic plant tags?

I know there are metal ones that creates raised letters that are more or less permanent but I am not quite ready to invest into a dedicated label maker yet.

I think Sharpies are supposed to be permanent but they do fade after a year or so in the south Florida sun and rain.

I know pencils are supposedly the choice but my eyesight don't make out pencil writing as well these days.

Are these markers on Amazon any good they said these are OUTDOOR USE GARDEN MARKERS, or are these just Sharpies in disguise?

https://www.amazon.com/133-SUPPLY-Permanent-Resistant-Waterproof/dp/B0BDGFQ6S9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=22VYHGYSHLGIF&keywords=plant%2Blabel%2Bmarker&qid=1700592928&sprefix=plant%2Blabel%2Bmarker%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-5&th=1

[Silas_Sancona]

45 minutes ago, miamicuse said:

What would be a good label marker to use on plastic plant tags?

I know there are metal ones that creates raised letters that are more or less permanent but I am not quite ready to invest into a dedicated label maker yet.

I think Sharpies are supposed to be permanent but they do fade after a year or so in the south Florida sun and rain.

I know pencils are supposedly the choice but my eyesight don't make out pencil writing as well these days.

Are these markers on Amazon any good they said these are OUTDOOR USE GARDEN MARKERS, or are these just Sharpies in disguise?

https://www.amazon.com/133-SUPPLY-Permanent-Resistant-Waterproof/dp/B0BDGFQ6S9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=22VYHGYSHLGIF&keywords=plant%2Blabel%2Bmarker&qid=1700592928&sprefix=plant%2Blabel%2Bmarker%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-5&th=1

Sharpies definitely fade ..Quite quickly too, lol ..Have a bunch of Plumeria seedlings that are now " mysteries " because the sharpie writing on the tags quickly faded last summer.

 

Might be tougher using then to write on small tags, but, best thing i've found for marking pots / and signs for plants  ..China Markers / Wax Pencils.. Most people use either White or Black.  I've got pots laying around of stuff i'd bought years ago that still have the writing on them, despite sitting in the sun.

If looking into making simple tags?  the write on Aluminum tags are very durable ..Just be sure they're secured to the plant well or birds / other critters can run off with them. 

[miamicuse]

Thanks Nathan, may try the wax markers to see how well they work.

I noticed that Sharpie's have some markers I have not tried before.

One is called SHARPIE's EXTREME.  It says:'

Brave the elements. When writing has to withstand Mother Nature's wrath, Sharpie Extreme Fine Point Permanent Markers rise to the occasion and weather any forecast. With extremely resilient fade-resistant, quick-drying ink, these markers pack a punch against glaring UV rays, pouring rain, snowfall, windblasts, mud baths, and more. Formulated to permanently mark on plastic, glass, and wood in the face of ferocious elements, Sharpie Extreme Fine Point Permanent Markers are built to take a beating and keep coming back for more.

Another one that is interesting is SHARPIE's PRO.

Permanent ink that can mark on wet, oil, dusty, and abrasive surfaces

• Durable tip stands up to wear and tear
• Fine point
• Anti-roll barrel shape
• Rugged grip area for better control

That may be helpful to write stuff on pavement, concrete blocks etc...

I may also get a Sharpie's Extreme to see how well that works, unless someone here has already tried it and had bad luck with it already.

[Calosphace]

Depends on plastic tags some I am able to use https://www.fabercastell.com/products/matte-graphite-pencils-11 on depending on the plastic texture. These are erasable pencils.

There is also Stabilo Scribe-all (a type of Grease pencil) and China "marker" wax pencils if the above does not work on your type of plastic. I think they come off with alcohol

 

For marker look for India ink these are archival e.g. Microns, Faber Castell PITT indian ink markers work too. India ink uses soot as a pigment so it doesnt fade like cheap synthetics

 Many of our artist quality brands were the same price or cheaper than Sharpie (and made in Germany so it's not like they cheaped out on the workers) but people often just went to Sharpie purely because of brand recognition in US.

Source: Artist & worked in art store from 14-26

Edited November 23, 2023 by Calosphace

[Merlyn]

I use a Brother P-Touch label printer and generic refills from Amazon.  I think I bought it for $35 from Sam's Club.  I stick them onto white plastic plant tags.  The PTouch labels have lasted 2-3 years in the sun so far, and the only problem I've had is that the plant tags get brittle over time.  But the thermal printing never fades, as far as I can tell.  I gave up on markers and pencils several years ago.  Even if they were durable enough to stay on there, it was difficult to read.  With the big black default font I can read a label easily from 6 feet away...that makes a big difference when I'm searching through my nursery for a specific pot.

[Cindy Adair]

I am a big fan of the p touch labels as well as everything else I have tried in the tropics has not lasted very long.

I don’t want to have to struggle to find and read names either.
 

Plastic gets brittle and breaks quickly here too so the p touch labels put on the Kincaid reusable stainless plant markers  have really been great for me!

 

[Tomas]

I use a true paint marker, acrylic I think

As for the plastic, the most durable are the polypropylene pots, the thin ones used for annual and other cheap plants, black inside and colored outside. I usem them for many years now and have never seen a broken one

[happypalms]

On 11/22/2023 at 6:00 AM, miamicuse said:

What would be a good label marker to use on plastic plant tags?

I know there are metal ones that creates raised letters that are more or less permanent but I am not quite ready to invest into a dedicated label maker yet.

I think Sharpies are supposed to be permanent but they do fade after a year or so in the south Florida sun and rain.

I know pencils are supposedly the choice but my eyesight don't make out pencil writing as well these days.

Are these markers on Amazon any good they said these are OUTDOOR USE GARDEN MARKERS, or are these just Sharpies in disguise?

https://www.amazon.com/133-SUPPLY-Permanent-Resistant-Waterproof/dp/B0BDGFQ6S9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=22VYHGYSHLGIF&keywords=plant%2Blabel%2Bmarker&qid=1700592928&sprefix=plant%2Blabel%2Bmarker%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-5&th=1

A good HB lead pencil is best they will fade a bit but last many years I always try to face the written side on the shade side if possible 

[miamicuse]

Just curious if anyone has tried this product.

https://www.amazon.com/STAEDTLER-Garden-Marker-Permanent-Outdoor/dp/B01FOG9KWI/ref=pd_rhf_gw_s_pd_sbs_rvi_d_sccl_1_1/141-9907746-1824510?pd_rd_w=g9Miz&content-id=amzn1.sym.a089f039-4dde-401a-9041-8b534ae99e65&pf_rd_p=a089f039-4dde-401a-9041-8b534ae99e65&pf_rd_r=5Z4RWJ2QHQB6T0V3M24M&pd_rd_wg=PHYyA&pd_rd_r=38bf74df-6e11-48d1-9167-414ef18f8791&pd_rd_i=B01FOG9KWI&th=1

STAEDTLER GARDEN MARKER PEN PERMANENT OUTDOOR MARKER

• Simply the Best Marker Pen for Plastic Plant Labels - and Just about any other Surface - This is the one Professional Gardeners & Nurseries Use!
• Garden Marker for Outdoor Use Such as Marking Plant Labels, Signs & Flowerpots
• Waterproof & Lightfast - Weatherproof on almost ANY Surface

[Tomas]

On 1/2/2024 at 8:03 AM, miamicuse said:

Just curious if anyone has tried this product.

https://www.amazon.com/STAEDTLER-Garden-Marker-Permanent-Outdoor/dp/B01FOG9KWI/ref=pd_rhf_gw_s_pd_sbs_rvi_d_sccl_1_1/141-9907746-1824510?pd_rd_w=g9Miz&content-id=amzn1.sym.a089f039-4dde-401a-9041-8b534ae99e65&pf_rd_p=a089f039-4dde-401a-9041-8b534ae99e65&pf_rd_r=5Z4RWJ2QHQB6T0V3M24M&pd_rd_wg=PHYyA&pd_rd_r=38bf74df-6e11-48d1-9167-414ef18f8791&pd_rd_i=B01FOG9KWI&th=1

STAEDTLER GARDEN MARKER PEN PERMANENT OUTDOOR MARKER

• Simply the Best Marker Pen for Plastic Plant Labels - and Just about any other Surface - This is the one Professional Gardeners & Nurseries Use!
• Garden Marker for Outdoor Use Such as Marking Plant Labels, Signs & Flowerpots
• Waterproof & Lightfast - Weatherproof on almost ANY Surface

I once used to use something similar, but abbandoned it, it did not last. 

Actually, as said, the best thing is the pencil, but it will not write on the labels I use as described above.  But it is probably easier to find the plastic labels that may last longer than the most common ones that will go to pieces after some years instead of searching for the perfect marker

[Paradise Found]

Try using a grease pencil.  BTW china markers are the same as grease markers. 

Edited January 4, 2024 by Paradise Found

[miamicuse]

Why do the pre-printed plant labels nurseries use last?  I bought a few plants with pre-printed labels and 3 years later they have not faded any.  What kind of ink does those label makers use?

Edited March 17, 2024 by miamicuse

[miamicuse]

Here is a picture of a palm I bought two years ago, the tag has not faded one bit, is it done with a label maker?

[miamicuse]

OK so I finally got a P-Touch Cube label maker.

Now preparing labels for crotons, once done with that will move to the gingers, palms and orchids.  The only down side so far is can't do double sided, like putting ID on one side, and some other info on the other side like where and when etc...

[Cindy Adair]

Excellent!
Easy to read and looks nice too.