What to label on the line
| Where it goes | Label that usually fits | What it has to do |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit boards and components | Polyimide label | Go through reflow and washing, fit a small exact spot, and carry a serial number or barcode that still scans at final test. |
| Wire harnesses | Heat shrink sleeve, or wrap marker on wires from 2 mm | Name each wire at both ends, so the ID cannot slide off or smudge. |
| Cable assemblies and box build | Wrap marker or flag label | Carry the part number or wire ID through test, shipping and installation. |
Polyimide labels for PCBs
Boards get labeled before they go through the oven, so the label has to take the same heat as the solder joints, and the washes after them. Polyimide does: our polyimide labels withstand lead free reflow, with peaks around 260 °C. Polyester and vinyl do not. Within polyimide, the choice comes down to a few things:
- Thickness. 25 µm for tight spots, under components or in a slim housing. 50 µm is the everyday choice.
- Finish. Matte white throws less glare back at the scanner, which helps on a brightly lit line. Gloss white is the other common choice. There is black polyimide too.
- Static. For static sensitive boards, an ESD safe version is available.
Labels on SMT reels
On a line that places labels automatically, labels can come in carrier tape on SMT reels. The pick and place machine sets each one on the board like a component, so nobody applies them by hand. Tell us your feeder and tape width, and we check the format with production.
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Rolls for the printer on your line
Serial numbers and barcodes change with every board, so most lines print them as they go. For that you get blank labels on rolls, wound for your thermal transfer printer: tell us the model and we check the roll format. If the print is the same on every unit, the labels can come already printed.
Adding a second source for labels
Plenty of plants buy the same label from one supplier for years. Then one day a roll is on backorder, the line is waiting, and there is no plan B. Adding a second source takes less work than it sounds:
- Send the label you use now: size, material, color and roll format, or a sample or a photo.
- Tell us your printer model, so we can check the roll format.
- We check the spec with production and confirm what matches before you order.
- Our labels are made by a manufacturing partner certified to ISO 9001. Quality and material documents are available on request.