Leaders in Asset Management Pros & Cons to Preprinted vs. Onsite Printed Asset Tags – Factors to...

Leaders in Asset Management

Pros & Cons to Preprinted vs. Onsite Printed Asset Tags –

Factors to Consider

Presented by

Steve A. Doerfler, President

Julia Deets, Marketing & Internal Sales Manager


What This Presentation Will Cover

• Factors to consider regarding printing method and item being tracked• Example scenarios

• Different methods of onsite printing• Different preprinted printing methods• Preprinted vs. onsite printing

• Why not both?• Factors to consider for onsite printing

• Cost analysis


Selecting Printing Method – Factors to Consider

• Environment• Application Surface• Attachment Method• Expected Longevity• Timeframe



• Environment• Chemical exposure• Solvents• Abrasion• Temperature• UV exposure

• Indoors or outdoors• Direct sunlight



• Application Surface• Radius or curved surfaces• High surface energy or low surface energy

• Painted surfaces• Oily surfaces• Smooth or rough surfaces



• Attachment Method• Pressure-sensitive adhesive

• Matched to surface (HSE, LSE)• Holes for mechanical fasteners• Both holes and adhesive



• Expected Longevity – taking into consideration environmental factors already discussed• < 1 year• 1-3 years• 3-5 years• 5+ years



• Timeframe• How quickly are they needed?• How frequently are they needed?• Is information known ahead of time?• How is information generated and stored?• Anticipated quantities?

• Is this a one-time thing or ongoing?


Example Scenario #1

• Application Involves • Indoor and outdoor assets

• Various application surfaces• Expected to last at least 5 years• Information known ahead of time• 3,000 – 5,000 assets to track


Example Scenario #2

• Application Involves • Little to no advance notice – more on-demand• Temporary solution – doesn’t need to last long

(1 to 3 years)• Ongoing requirement, but only need a few at a

time • Moderate exposure to chemicals


Example Scenario #3

• Application Involves • Repeated exposure to mild chemicals – i.e.,

cleaning solutions• Needs to last 5 to 7 years• Various application surfaces

Both rough and smooth Both curved and flat

• Indoor assets• Incorporate company logo


Different Methods of Onsite Printing

• Direct Parts Marking• Laser engraving - different types

of laser technology • Chemical etching• Dot peening


Different Methods of Onsite Printing

• Thermal Transfer • Various materials

• Laser Engraved Nameplates• Type of laser• Various materials• Source for blanks

• Other methods available – presentation intended to address onsite printing concept, not specific methods in detail


Different Preprinted Printing Methods

• Screen Printing• Aluminum • UV cured inks• Indented numbers

• Inkjet Printing• Aluminum• Polymer materials

• Digital Subsurface Printing• Different substrates• Image protected


Different Preprinted Printing Methods

• Laser Engraved• Different types of laser

technology• Various materials

• Photo Composed• Anodized aluminum• Various thicknesses• Options available – i.e., Teflon®, intensification, etc.

• Other methods available – presentation intended to address onsite printing concept, not specific methods in detail


Issues to Consider for Onsite Printing Methods

• Software Integration; i.e., UID• Personnel – who will run equipment?

• Training• Maintenance

• Matching technology to the substrate• Lasing on different kinds of material

• Investment in equipment• Initial investment and ongoing costs


Preprinted vs. Onsite Printing

• Application may dictate method• Consider hybrid potential – use both!

• Preprint constant copy; i.e., logo,

company name and print variable

information onsite• Possible examples

• Photo anodized (constant) and laser engraved (variable)

• Digital subsurface (constant) and thermal transfer (variable)


Cost Analysis

• Scenario• Approximately 20,000 assets to identify, track and

control over a 5 year period• Initial need of 15,000 asset tags, with another

1,000 estimated per year over 5 years


Cost Analysis

• Assumptions• Mild to moderate environment – limited cleaning

exposure• Surface conditions – flat, radius, smooth, rough

and a wide array of materials• Life expectancy – 5+ years• Sequential bar code with human readable

numbers• Size: 2 x ¾”


Cost Analysis

• Preprinted Asset Label – Materials Needed• Durable subsurface printed .002” polyester

with .002” LSE adhesive• Initial need for 15,000 asset tags with .002” LSE

acrylic adhesive• Additional 1,000 asset tags per year for next 5

years


Cost Analysis

• Onsite Printed Thermal Transfer Label – Materials/Equipment Needed• .002” polyester with .001” LSE acrylic adhesive

• Note: most thermal transfer labels available with a maximum .001” thick adhesive

• Thermal transfer printer• Bar code verifier• Labels and ribbon• Labor needed to print and verify labels


Cost Analysis

Preprinted Asset Label•15,000 labels @ $0.11 ea = $1,650•1,000 per year for next 5 years @ $0.31 = $1,550•Total Investment = $3,200

Onsite Printed Asset Label•20,000 labels @ $0.03 ea = $600•Ribbon for 20,000 labels @ $0.0027 ea = $54•Thermal transfer printer = $1,695•Bar code verifier = $1,800•Labor to print & verify = $300•Total Investment = $4,449

Cost of labor to apply labels @ $2 per asset = $40,000


Cost Analysis

• Summary• Cost of applying labels is a far more significant

cost than labels so whatever the selection, the asset ID needs to last otherwise there will be additional installation costs.


Thank You!

Leaders in Asset Management Pros & Cons to Preprinted vs. Onsite Printed Asset Tags – Factors to...

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