Six of the main Industries using Industrial Labels

industrial labels

Industrial labels and tags are essential for communicating important instructions, safety information, or product details to customers and staff. But some industries benefit more than others from durable, high-quality labels. Here are six of the main industries which can benefit from industrial labelling, signage and nameplates, and the properties each sector needs to consider.

Automotive

The automotive sector is a broad industry that requires a lot of signage and labelling, from cleaning products and car manufacturers to Formula 1 and public transport. The labels used in this sector can be found in virtually every part of a vehicle, both on the exterior and under the hood. The applications for industrial labelling in this industry can range from starter motors and cables to pumps, motors & engine management systems. Industrial labels for vehicles need to be able to tolerate high temperatures, oils & grease, as well as internal and external environments. There’s also a demand for Metal labels & nameplates coming from contemporary motors and classic vehicles.

Aerospace

Durable labels play an important role in aerospace manufacturing and technology, as each component needs to be identifiable, traceable, and easily tracked throughout the supply chain. From engines and wing panels to security scanning devices and in-flight entertainment systems, there’s so much within this industry that requires carefully designed and high-quality labels and signs. The labels produced for this industry need to withstand frequent temperature changes and be resistant to aviation fuels and oils.

Road and Rail

Roads and railways around the world have labels and signs, including train carriages and information signage, signalling equipment, street lamps & illuminated signs, and crash barriers. Road and rail labels should be resistant to harsh weather conditions, UV exposure, and abrasive conditions to withstand exterior environments. Road and rail signs must have excellent clarity levels to help drivers maintain safety.

Electronic

We interact with electronics every day, so it stands to reason that the electronics sector will be one of the leading industries to benefit from industrial labels. Labels are effective in identifying components, as well as in their ability to withstand harsh production processes and assembly lines. Labelling for this sector needs to be able to resist high temperatures, abrasion & solvents, as well as feature flame-retardant and anti-static properties to stay in place and display important health and safety information. For this reason, plastic or polyimide labels are often utilised for electronics as they are cost-effective and suitable for such environments.

Health and Safety

Health & Safety plays a prominent role in so many other industries, to keep staff, customers and visitors safe from risks and threats. In fact, businesses must comply with all relevant health and safety legislation. From serial numbering and bar coding to track inventory to safety signs and warning labels that protect you and equipment, there are many aspects of health and safety labelling and signage. Health and safety signs and labels need to be tolerant to chemicals and solvents, as well as be durable and long-lasting.

Medical

The medical industry requires labels and nameplates in a range of materials, colours, shapes and sizes. From keychains for organisations to warning labels for products, medications and equipment, the medical sector requires durable labels that can cope with corrosion, wear and tear and be resistant to solvents and cleaning chemicals that are unique to medical environments. We offer signs and labels that can be used for both interior and exterior applications, with a range of adhesives for easy attachment.

Conclusion

Selecting the right label can be tricky without the help and guidance of an experienced label manufacturer. Southern United can help – we have over 70 years’ experience in the creation and supply of nameplates and labels in a variety of materials, sizes, colours and finishes.

If you need advice on the type of product required for your business or you’d like to learn more about the products we offer, please get in touch with our team today by emailing us at sales@sunited.co.uk or by calling 01273 418636 and we’ll be happy to help.

How vinyl labels can benefit your business

A variety of polycarbonate labels

Whether you work in a medical environment, a commercial setting or you require labels to maintain health and safety standards, labels provide a quick, cost-effective and easy way to keep a strong brand presence and adhere to necessary guidelines. Vinyl labels have long been popular with businesses in a host of different sectors for a variety of reasons – but what is it about vinyl labels that makes them such an appealing option for companies of all shapes and sizes?

Simplicity and speed

When it comes to conveying a message or an image, it doesn’t get easier than vinyl labels. Once you have your labels, what could be more convenient than simply peeling one off the sheet and sticking it in place. It provides a speedy way of increasing safety, promoting your brand or providing information – and if they’re no longer needed, they can be removed just as easily. In business, time is money, so any solution that can deliver speed is one worth investing in.

They’re durable

One of the features that makes vinyl labels so popular is that they are incredibly durable, with the ability to stand up to moisture, temperature changes and poor weather conditions. This means they can be used outside and indoors, and if the product they’re attached to gets hot or cold, they’re not going to peel off. Waterproof vinyl labels deliver the toughness needed for a range of different industries, making them a commonly used option.

Flexibility to conform to different surfaces

The beauty of vinyl labels is that they can be applied to different surfaces such as curved objects without lifting or skewing the image on the label itself. This makes them ideally suited to the likes of bottles and jars, as the conformable properties mean they’ll stay attached and visible – a must if the information on the label is critical, such as when adhering to health and safety guidelines.

A cost-effective solution

As any business owner knows, finding affordable solutions is essential in stretching the budget further. But you still require quality in order to retain your public image and reputation. That’s where vinyl labels are so useful. Vinyl is a cost-effective solution that provides excellent returns on investment and with high quality printing, your labels will look professional for the best of both worlds.

Specialist vinyl label makers

As with any product your business uses, you need to be sure you’re investing in value. Vinyl labels make that task even easier – they provide durability, convenience and are affordable without compromising on quality. What’s more, they can be used in such a wide selection of applications and industries, to great effect.

At Southern United, we offer a wide variety of label and nameplate options to suit a range of different applications, from branding and marketing to health and safety. Contact us to find out more about the products we offer, or you can call us on 01273 418636 to speak to a member of our sales team.

What types of health and safety labels do you need?

Health and Safety Signs

There can be no doubt that health and safety is a key issue affecting businesses across the country. Not only does good health and safety practice help staff to feel safe and secure as they do their job, it is also important from a legal perspective as there are stringent health and safety rules that must be followed as laid down by the government.

Here we take a look at some of the types of health and safety labels that might be useful for you and your business.

Complying with regulations

A major part of good practice is the use of high-quality health and safety labels. These can include everything from fire safety information and emergency exit signs through to the types of labels required for dangerous or inflammable materials.

It may be the case that you require GHS-compliant labelling, or alternatively, you may need simper warning labels to help protect you and your team against potential issues with chemicals, machinery, or heat/weather resistant items.

High quality labels and signs

No matter what it is that you are looking for, it is vital to get the type of label that is suitable for your needs. Health and safety signs not only need to be clear and easy to read, but they must also be long-lasting and durable to ensure that they are always doing the job that you have put them up for.

At Southern United, we offer a wide range of labels available in both metal and plastic. These can be used to create health and safety labels that are ideal for your business. Our labels are available in a wide range of sizes – contact us if you are interested in learning more about the range of labels that we can offer you.

What do you need from your labels?

A variety of sample metal signs

As experienced makers of labels, at Southern United we understand that there is a label to suit every need. But not every type of label is perfect for every job, it’s a great idea to consider what you need from your labels before you buy.

Versatility

If you need a label that is cheap and suitable for a range of uses, a plastic label might be the best choice. The plastic labels that we offer at Southern United are ideal for a wide range of companies across a variety of industries.

Our plastic labels are versatile and offer unrivalled flexibility – they are often used across sectors including catering and electronics as well as many more. Plastic labels are preferred for their low cost and robust design; they can also be most easily customised to your exact needs.

Weatherproof

If you need a label for an outdoor application, then you’ll need one that has weatherproof qualities. This is something we can offer; our plastic labels are weatherproof and long-lasting, whilst we also have highly durable metal labels.

If you’re not sure about which label might be right for you, it’s a great idea to get in contact with the team at Southern United.

Durability

It may be that the feature you are most interested in is durability. If this is the case, we offer a wide range of metal labels that could be perfect for you. Our labels can be made using aluminium, stainless steel or brass – both provide long-lasting labels that are suitable for a variety of industrial applications.

At Southern United, we’ve got years of experience in making labels for a whole range of industries and sectors. We can help you decide which type of label could be perfect for you.

Three uses for metal labels

Metal labels and nameplates are strong, durable and long-lasting, making them an ideal choice whether they are going to have to survive outside against the elements, or you just need a high-quality product that is going to last for many years.

There are actually a wide range of uses for metal labels – at Southern United, we are specialists in their manufacturing. Here are some of the uses our clients get from metal labels.

A stunning sign for your business

Our metal labels are often used as signs displaying the business name on the outside of a building. The labels make for an eye-catching sign that can remain in use or a number of years. Using the latest manufacturing techniques, these labels can be cut to virtually any size or shape, making it easy to customise them for your business.

Example hand crafted sign

For important information

It is a great idea to display important information on metal labels. For example, any important health and safety details or specific instructions on electrical equipment should be put on labels that will last and not wear down.

Metal Caution sign

Rally plaques

It is not just in the workplace that metal labels find their uses. If your organisation or club takes part in rally events and you want to display it on your vehicle, metal labels can be used as rally plaques.

If you are interested in learning more about how metal labels can be used, or if you would like to make a purchase, please get in contact with the team at Southern United today. You can call us on 01273 418636 or email sales@sunited.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Polyamide Labels Vs. Polyimide Labels: What’s The Difference?

Here at Southern United, we know all too well that using the wrong material or adhesive on a label could cost a substantial amount of time and money – for both us and the client.

After all, labels need to be able to withstand a lot – from temperatures of up to 500°C to chemical washes which require specialist materials.

Having labels with little or no heat resistance will, over time, cause them to disintegrate and their print to fade. In essence, they won’t really be worth having and you’ll need to replace them pretty soon after getting them.

Therefore, knowing the difference between the types of labels you can purchase is vital. If, for instance, you’re looking for a label that can put up with high temperatures and the harsh environments typically encountered during the manufacturing process, you’re going to need labels that are heat, cold water and UV resistant.

However, depending on your budget and the exact use of the label, you’ll need to choose between the two main options: polyimide and polyamide. We have outlined the key differences between the two for you below.

Polyimide Labels.

If you’ve heard of the brand name Kapton, you’ll have encountered polyimide labels before.

Primarily used for component labelling in printed circuit boards, polyimide can withstand temperatures of up to 300°C, allowing it to be used for a wide range of applications.

Polyamide Labels.

With a synthetic polymer structure, polyamide labels are made from synthetic resin.

In essence, they’re not a lot different to polyimide labels, as they can withstand similar temperatures. However, they’re typically less expensive to manufacture.

Here at Southern United, we offer a huge variety of materials and services. Whether you’re looking for a bespoke metal engraving service or help deciding which labelling material is the right choice for your needs, do not hesitate to contact our team for expert advice. Simply give us a call on 01273 418636 or click here to request a quote.

Why choose a metal nameplate?

A variety of sample metal signs

If you are choosing a nameplate for your company, you have a vast range of materials to select between. Plastic has traditionally been one of the most popular – but while it is cheap, it doesn’t have the benefits of metal. Having a metal nameplate is not only visually striking, but it also has a number of advantages over other materials.

Here we take a look at why you might consider a metal nameplate for your business, and why it could be perfect for you.

Cost effective

One of the major advantages of metal nameplates is that they are highly cost-effective. Of course, some other materials may be cheaper to buy – but metal is long-lasting and durable, meaning that the investment that you make now in a metal nameplate will last for years to come, rather than needing replacing in a matter of months.

Highly versatile

As well as its virtually unmatched durability, metal nameplates offer fantastic versatility. Whether you are looking to have your nameplate printed, embossed, or engraved, this is entirely possible. Nameplates can also be made into virtually any shape to suit the look that your business is hoping to achieve.

A variety of metals available

There are a number of different types of metal available to create your nameplate from. Some businesses prefer the lightness of aluminium nameplates, others the striking visuals of brass nameplates. You could also opt for the outright strength and durability of stainless steel – there are no bad options, just some that might be better to suited to your company.

At Southern United, we are specialists in the creation of bespoke metal nameplates, ideal for giving businesses an upmarket and appealing sign. If you are interested in learning more about the options available, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Which plastic label is right for you?

Plastic labels have a broad variety of uses for many businesses, clubs and organisations across the UK. Many of the types of plastic labels available make a great choice, as they are highly durable, as well as weatherproof. And, if required, they can even be over-laminated for additional durability.

So, if you are considering investing in plastic labels, you have made a good choice. But it is important to know that there are actually many different types of plastic labels available – including polyester, polycarbonate, vinyl, and polyimide. Here we present a guide to these different types of plastic labels to help you to decide which one might be best suited for your needs.

Polyester

Polyester labels are created from a plastic film which has properties including being resistant to the majority of chemicals. The material is also stable at temperatures up to 150 degree Celsius, and is considered a heat-stabilised label. With excellent flatness and transparency, these labels are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide range of industrial applications.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate labels are very popular. They are highly resistant to high temperatures, and hold very good dimensional stability and colour. Labels are available in thicknesses of 250 or 500 microns and, better yet, they can be cut into virtually any shape, so they are perfect for a huge range of applications.

Vinyl

Vinyl labels have the advantage of being waterproof, weather-proof and scratch-proof, as they are printed using solvent inks. As well as being able to withstand temperatures from -50 to 110 degrees Celsius, vinyl labels are also very versatile and competitively priced.

Polyimide

Polyimide labels are made using polyimide film. This is a permanent, pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive. Specifically designed for thermal transfer printing, they have a high opacity, gloss white topcoat.

Nameplates: Aluminium, Brass or Stainless Steel?

A variety of sample metal signs

Southern United specialise in the production of the highest quality metal nameplates for businesses and organisations across a huge range of industries. Weather resistant and highly durable, our nameplates are fantastic choices for a wide range of possibilities.

We offer our nameplates in aluminium, brass, and stainless steel. All of these materials have their specific uses, advantages and disadvantages. It is important to know the difference between these materials before you choose which one is right for you. Here we take a look at the specifics of each material to help you make the right decision for your business.

Aluminium Nameplates

One of the major advantages of aluminium nameplates is they are the lightest type of metal nameplate available on the market – giving you a broader variety of options for where to place them. Once the aluminium has been coated with an anode layer it is highly weather and chemical-resistant. It is also more malleable than other options, making it easier to work into creative shapes.

Brass Nameplates

Brass offers something of a middle ground between aluminium and steel in terms of malleability, weight, and resistance against corrosion. One of the advantages of brass is the impressive natural colour of the metal, which may be perfect for some purposes.

Stainless Steel Nameplates

Stainless steel is the strongest metal available for nameplates, and is generally ideal for use in demanding conditions. It is highly resistant to chemicals and weather as well as issues such as temperature change and damage. However, it also the heaviest material that we offer.

If you are interested in learning more about the range of nameplates and materials we use, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with the team at Southern United today.

How to maintain your Metal Nameplate

Let’s set the scene.

You have recently decided to start a new architecture firm. You’ve set the office up, splashed out on new supplies and have your team raring to go. You decide the office needs one final finishing touch – a bespoke engraved metal nameplate that lets your clients know who you are.

You submit your order, and your shiny, new nameplate arrives a few days later. You love it – your new firm’s name glistening as the light bounces off the metal. You’re keen to keep it in this condition for as long as possible but aren’t sure how… that’s where we can help.

Maintaining your metal nameplate effectively is often easier said than done. Depending on the type of metal it has been made from, this can significantly impact its longevity and durability. However, with the right maintenance, it can be kept in tip-top condition for months and years to come.

In this article, we detail two of the main metals used to produce engraved nameplates and highlight how to maintain them both effectively.

1 – Aluminium

Aluminium is the most commonly used nameplate metal for good reason. Not only is it the most abundant metal on the planet, but it is resistant to corrosion, making it the ideal choice for engraving. It’s also incredibly lightweight and durable and is often used by the military, aircraft and marine industries.

To keep it from deteriorating over time, it’s important to remove any grease or dirt using a clean sponge and warm water. If the dirt is particularly difficult to remove, use a mild detergent to help shift it and then buff it using a clean, soft piece of cloth.

If the nameplate starts to discolour, don’t worry – a mixture of tartaric acid (two teaspoons) and warm water (1.13 litres or 2 pints) should do the job.

2 – Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is another commonly used metal in nameplate crafting and is generally considered the best choice for acidic environments. Since this metal is resistant to corrosion, chemicals and heat, it is the ideal choice for a wide variety of applications. Its resistance to dents and scratches is also one of the key reasons why it’s used outdoors so commonly.

To keep your stainless steel nameplate clean, you simply need to give it a gentle wipe using warm water and a mild detergent, and then remove any excess moisture with a cotton cloth. If the nameplate becomes stained, use an equal parts solution of warm water and vinegar to wipe off the stain.

If you are looking to produce a high-quality metal nameplate for your business or would like any tips on how to maintain an existing one, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.

Tips for GHS Labelling

GHS warning signs set image

The Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classifying and labelling chemicals is a useful tool for improving the safety and efficiency with which potentially hazardous substances can be transported, stored and handled.

It is a comprehensive system that:

  • Defines the risks to health, physical safety and the environment
  • Uses available data to create chemical classification processes
  • Clearly communicates hazard information and recommended protective measures

Why is GHS labelling important?

The GHS was put into place to provide better protection for humans and the environment. By using a standardised labelling system that can be followed around the world, language barriers and localised classification systems should no longer pose a threat to safety. Not only does it provide a recognised system for countries, industries and companies without an existing system, but it makes the trade of these chemicals easier across borders. For example, if the label on an imported substance is clear and reliable, there is less need to test and re-evaluate it.

What are the key elements of GHS labelling?

There are two key elements of GHS communications – the pictogram label or placard, and the associated Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The images and text used must be consistent throughout your labelling. See the GHS Purple Book for more details.

When it comes to your GHS labels, there are a number of guidelines that should be followed. These include:

  • A signal word to indicate the level of hazard. These include phrases like “Warning” or “Danger” (which is more severe).
  • A two-tone pictogram (or multiple pictograms), with the hazard symbol printed in black surrounded by a red diamond border.
  • Information about the chemical manufacturer (company name, address etc.)
  • Precautionary statements and first aid recommendations. These can include measures for prevention, response, storage and disposal, and should be reiterated on the SDS.
  • The hazard statement, which should be reiterated on the SDS.
  • The chemical or product name, along with any other identifiers that might be appropriate.

At Southern United, we have produced durable GHS labels for a number of clients across industries. If you have a new requirement for GHS labelling or have decided to upgrade your existing labels, contact our team to help you get your new design right first time.

Rally Plaques for the MGC Register

Rally Plaques for the MGC Register - Image

At Southern United, we have been providing high-quality memorabilia for clubs and organisations for over 70 years. Our experienced team offers a personalised service to create plaques, brass name plates, badges, magnets and other memorabilia for organisations of all sizes.

One example of the types of work we produce is the MGC Day plaque, which we designed and manufactured for this year’s annual gathering of MGC owners that are part of the MG Car Club in the UK.

Despite the cars receiving a modest reception when they first came onto the market in 1967, the design has reached an almost cult status amongst its contemporary fans. Every year, the MG Car Club holds an event at various locations around the country where owners can show off their vehicles, share stories and discuss breakdowns!

To help attendees commemorate the event, we put together a plaque design for each vehicle. The plaques were made out of styrene, which is weather resistant and durable but lightweight enough to avoid any damage to the vehicles. These were numbered from 1 – 75 so each driver could have their own unique identifier, and we supplied cable ties so they could be securely affixed to the front of each car.

Southern United Rally Image

This year, the MGC Day was held at Fawley Hill on July 1st. As you can see from the picture, it was a beautiful day and the cars (with their plaques!) looked fantastic.

If you would like any more information about rally plaques or event memorabilia in any quantity, please contact our team today to see how we can help.

What is CE marking, and can anyone use it?

Electronic parts

CE marking can be found on all kinds of products that are intended for trading in the European Economic Area (EEA). The letters are the abbreviation of the French phrase “Conformité Européene”, which translates to “European Conformity”. If a product is stamped with the CE marking, it indicates that it complies with the relevant European legislation for free movement within the area.

What products need CE marking?

The products that require CE marking are listed in the New Approach Directives guidance, available from the Europa website. As a generalisation, CE marking applies to equipment, electrical items, medical devices and recreational goods. This includes:

  • Measuring instruments
  • Household appliances
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Radio equipment
  • Toys

How to use CE marking

To determine whether a CE marking is required, manufacturers must understand which EU Directives apply to their product. There are more than 20 potentially-applicable directives, so research and thorough understanding is necessary.

The manufacturer is solely responsible for ensuring that the CE marking is appropriately applied to their products, although some Directives require compliance testing by an authorised third party. Any documentation from the product’s manufacture, storage, certifications and technical assessment must be kept safe and made available to the Market Surveillance Authorities if requested.

Can anyone use CE marking?

As you can see, CE marking is an essential component of quality assurance within the EEA. Misusing the CE label is considered a serious offence and is monitored in the UK by Trading Standards, the Health and Safety Executive, the National Measurement Office, the Vehicle Certification Agency and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

If a manufacturer is found to be wrongly labelling their products with the CE marking, they may be given an opportunity to remove the marking or bring their products up to code (whichever is appropriate). Failure to do so can result in products being removed from the market, fines and imprisonment.

Further information

For more information about CE marking in the UK, you can visit the Government website or check with the British Standards Institution.

If you aren’t sure about how to get the CE marking onto your products, contact us. Our label technicians have worked with hundreds of clients that are affected by the legislation and can help you design a secure way to show that your products are CE compliant.

Metal Tags: Making a mark that counts

Whether you’re using them for industrial asset identification, premium brand labels or anything in between, there’s little that can match both the durability and the prestige of metal tags.

At Southern United, we have been making signage, badges, labels and custom plates for clients for many years, primarily out of brass, aluminium and stainless steel. We’re experts in understanding which metal and type of printing is the most appropriate for every environment and would like to share some of the details with you.

Material choices

As we’ve mentioned, at Southern United, we work with brass, aluminium and stainless steel. These each have different properties that can be benefits or drawbacks in different applications. For example:

Brass

  • Easily machinable into a variety of shapes
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Relatively low melting point (may be unsuitable for industrial applications)

Aluminium

  • Resistant to weathering, corrosion and high temperatures (although not as robust as steel)
  • Easy to cut and shape
  • Inexpensive

Stainless Steel

  • Very strong, resistant to rust and corrosion
  • Exceptional heat tolerance
  • Ideal for tough environments, marine atmosphere etc.

Marking techniques

 

Laser Marking

Laser marking will create a chemical reaction to change the appearance of a metal through charring, foaming, melting or a similar process. This may affect the surface texture and/or the colour of the laser-marked area.

Laser engraving can be expensive, however, the lack of inks or physical contact with the metal surface means that there is no need to regularly replace worn-out parts.

Engraving

Engraving can be done with a laser or mechanically. Either way, it involves using a tool to ‘hollow-out’ specific parts of a metal plate into text or shapes, usually following a computer-generated guide. This means that the design is easy to precisely replicate thousands of times and can easily be configured to incorporate variable data.

Engraving leaves a durable mark which is very difficult to tamper with, and which can be enhanced with coloured lacquer to make text stand out from the background.

Anodisation

Anodising a metal (typically aluminium) involves oxidising its surface to make it porous and suitable for accepting ink. Once anodised, the plate is suitable for text, photo-quality printing or an all-over dye.

To ensure this print does not fade or wash out (and to protect the metal from corrosion), the anodised surface is then sealed using heat or a combination of heat and a sealant.

If you require custom metal tags for your organisation, business or products, please get in touch. At Southern United, our team have worked with a broad range of briefs and would be happy to help you choose the best design for your application.

Southern United Bake For Shelter

Southern United Bake for Shelter Cakes Image

Southern United’s Quality Technician, Corinne, recently organised a Bake For Shelter charity event at our HQ. Our team members, along with workers from neighbouring businesses, got together for a cup of tea and delicious cakes of all kinds. There were sponge cake, a surprise piñata cake, banana bread, carrot cake, a banoffee pie, chocolate Easter nests and for savoury fans, there was even a quiche.

We raised £107 for a great cause, the UK charity Shelter helps out over a million people each year with poor condition housing and homelessness. They advise and support with legal services, campaigning towards a day where no one struggles to keep a roof over their head. After a particularly cold winter 2017 – 18 coincided with a rise in homelessness, Corinne felt that an organisation attempting to prevent further increases deserved the support.

We got some great pictures of the baked goods – look away now if you’re hungry!

Southern United Bake for Shelter Cakes Montage Image

Labels to dry for

Creating the iTrap Fire Testing Technology labels and the finished article

At Southern United we love to make an equipment label for a pioneering industrial gadget. The iTrap is a new device from Fire Testing Technology Ltd, designed to remove the moisture from combustible gas lines ready for analysis. Based in Sussex, not far from us in East Grinstead, FTT Ltd have been creating innovative fire testing instruments for nearly 30 years and are world leaders in their field. Our drawing office produced the artwork in Illustrator, time is taken to match the required colours, in this case a pantone, to the exact shade that the customer needs.

A digital cutting file is also created at this point. Printed on polyester in a gauge of 0.13mm, they are digitally produced by a Roland 330 UV machine. Once the labels are printed we apply 3m 9471 adhesive backing on a laminating machine. To cut the labels we use a machine called a Summa which relies on sensors to calculate the measurements of the labels. We then cut away any excess material and the products are inspected and checked by our quality control team. Every item we create is a bespoke label or nameplate designed to look and perform perfectly in the desired setting and conditions.

Learn more about Fire Testing Technology Ltd. here.

Chicken and Duck Heaven on Earth!

Chicken Coop and floating duck lodge

If this Spring, you are walking in a West Country field and see the most beautiful Chicken Coop, or walk past a pond and see some very satisfied ducks basking on a Floating Duck Lodge, it most certainly is a “Flyte so Fancy” creation,  a Dorset family run wood working enterprise.

Phillip and Anne WeymouthPhillip and Anne Weymouth, and their Dorset based team of craftsmen (and women), build and decorate the most extraordinary range of eco-friendly Poultry Coops, and we all know there’s nothing quite like keeping our feathered friends happy.

Of course, to make sure potential new customers know how to contact the company, an elegant oval green and gold aluminium label was needed. And Phillip asked Southern United to provide them, and now these long lasting labels adorn his luxury avian homes.

Flyte So Fancy label

So, whatever you create, isn’t it about time you got all your ducks in a row, with a durable, weatherproof elegantly designed label, from Southern United?

Now that’s a shed load of labels!

Elfords of Chichester shed and summer house

Established 30 years ago, Elfords of Chichester is now the market leader in the manufacture and supply of Garden Sheds, Summer Houses and Wooden Workshops in West Sussex and Hampshire. Tony Harris, the Managing Director and son of the founder, says “You’ll be amazed by the number of enquiries we get for Beach Huts from people walking past the ones we supplied years ago”. The durable and ultra-long lasting aluminium labels Tony describes as “cheap advertising”, with the orders they provide him with year after year.

Tony chose Southern United to supply another 1000 labels for 2017 as a repeat purchase, having found these signs very effective. We wish him and his team in Chichester the very best for 2017.

Elfords Sheds label and shed, with detail explaining the lettering and make up of the metal label

Our friendly sales team at Southern United are happy to answer any queries or quote you for some “cheap advertising”, though of course we prefer the phrase “Very competitively priced”.

Call us and find out!

“Forget Me Not” Labels. PPK Aldershot Case Study

For 16 years the team at PPK Aldershot have been manufacturing hydraulic hoses and equipment, as well as refurbishing cylinders, separators and pumps on a nationwide basis. With all of this work an efficient system was needed so that customers knew how to get in touch for refurbishments and new parts. In the words of Mark Staples, CEO of PPK: “keeping track of our equipment and maintaining contact details of PPK refurbished equipment is an essential part of the marketing of the PKK business”.

 

Southern United is happy to provide PPK with tough, durable Melinex labels, which we have printed to meet their exacting requirements. In this particular instance it was decided that a polyester material would work well, and the details of this can be seen below.

We would like to wish PPK all the best in their continued success as their branded equipment travels throughout the country.

Southern United PPK Services Label

If you need labels for your equipment to make sure everything is clearly identifiable as one of your products then call our friendly team today to find out more. Southern United offer a huge range of different label materials to suit any kind of of environment. Call us on 01273-418636 or get in touch here.

A sheet of polyester labels made for PPK Services by Southern United

“Don’t let me down”, Britain’s Oldest Umbrella Manufacturer!

When Richard Ince, the managing director of a 6th Generation, 210 year old Umbrella manufacturer needed to change his metal label supplier, Southern United was delighted to help out. The company is based within a stone’s throw of its beginnings in Spitalfields, just around the corner from Liverpool Street Station, London. And the Square Mile is still their biggest market where they supply many professional firms and businesses.

 

With a new export order of premium branded umbrellas due to be shipped to USA in 10 days, any delay was not an option. Richard needed help ASAP with 100 units of formed aluminium etched and then filled with black ink to complete the order.

With Southern United always holding a wide range of metals in stock, we managed to supply the highly polished anodic aluminium Paul Stuart branded labels, in time for the deadline to ship to USA and the Christmas Season.

We wish Richard the very best as he breaks into the North American Umbrella market.

If you would like more information on our metal labels or any other type of labels then get in touch with our friendly team today. Southern United are able to provide a huge range of labels for every kind of use and environment.