Every now and then, I get a call that starts with, “We tried saving a little on labels…” — and it usually ends with a story about lost time and rework.
On paper, going with cheaper materials seems harmless. A few cents less per part doesn’t sound like much — until you have to redo an entire panel.
That’s when it gets expensive.
The Real Problem Isn’t the Price Tag — It’s the Downtime
When a label fails in the field, someone has to fix it. That means a tech pulling a panel apart, cleaning off adhesive residue, reordering replacements, and reinstalling everything.
That rework time is usually worth far more than the label ever was.
And if it happens after install, you’ve also got customer frustration, warranty costs, and scheduling headaches to add to the list.
Where “Cheap” Breaks Down
Here’s where corners usually get cut:
-
Non-rated adhesive that lifts under heat or oil
-
Low-contrast engraving that fades in sunlight
-
Thin plastics that warp or crack under screws
-
Non-UL materials that don’t pass inspection
Individually, each shortcut looks small. Combined, they add up to rework — and reputation loss.
What We’ve Seen Work
We’ve learned the hard way that it’s better to build labels right from the start.
That’s why we only use UL-rated engraving plastics with 3M 468MP adhesive, designed to survive industrial environments for years.
When the label holds up, no one ever thinks about it again. And that’s the point — it’s supposed to disappear into the job and just do its job.
Takeaway
Cutting label cost is easy.
Cutting corners is expensive.
The best value isn’t in paying less per label — it’s in never needing to touch it twice.