A Brief Introduction to Industrial Tags and Labels
Industrial tags and labels aren’t your normal, well, tags and labels... they’re typically used in heavy-duty or specialised environments to track, organise and communicate important information about products, equipment or materials.
Unlike point of sale or office labels, they’re designed to withstand tough conditions such as heat, cold, moisture, chemicals and abrasion. And because of this, they tend to be made from tough, synthetic materials, although here at Bluepoint, we’re investing in a range of sustainably sourced, plastic free alternatives wherever possible.
Purpose-Built for Different Industries
Industrial tags and labels are made with very specific uses in mind, and tend to be industry dependent, for example:
- Horticulture – Tags and labels that resist sunlight, rain, and fluctuating temperatures.
- Chemicals – GHS and BS5609 compliant labels that hold up against solvents, saltwater, and abrasion.
- Food Processing – Metal-detectable tags with a foil element that can be identified if they ever enter the food chain.
- Steel & Timber – Heavy-duty tags that remain intact during extreme handling and storage conditions.
Whatever the industrial sector, the right tag or label ensures information stays visible, legible, and reliable.
Tags vs Labels: What’s the Difference?
Although they share the same purpose, identification, tags and labels are used in different ways.
- Tags – Usually made from strong synthetics or plastics, tags are separate items attached with a fastener such as string, wire, or a clip. Because they’re durable and repositionable, they’re widely used in heavy industry. Our steel identification tags are among Bluepoint’s most popular products.
- Labels – Often adhesive-backed, sticking directly to a surface, or self-fastening, like self-tie or loop-lock labels tend to be made from paper, vinyl, or plastic and can be permanent or removable. Labels are ideal when you need secure, long-lasting marking, for example, barcodes on packaging, product branding, or plant pot identification.
How Are They Used?
Industrial tags and labels play a crucial role in:
- Product identification
- Stock control
- Shipping and logistics
They often carry short descriptions, barcodes, QR codes, or SKU numbers to make tracking and management easier.
But they’re not just practical - they can also help with Point of Sale. Our pre-printed or plain printable tags and labels are especially popular in horticulture, where growers can showcase branding, imagery, and product information at the same time.
Printing Options
At Bluepoint, we offer a wide range of tags and labels designed for in-house printing. Depending on your needs, these can be printed on:
- Thermal transfer printers – ideal for single-colour printing.
- Laser printers – perfect for full-colour printing.
And if you’re looking to bring printing in-house, we’ll help you choose the right printer and software to get everything set up smoothly.
Custom Printing
Every business has unique requirements, which is why we also offer custom-printed tags and labels. Whether you need variable data such as barcodes and serial numbers, or bespoke designs featuring your logo, colours, and product information, we can create tags and labels tailored to your exact specifications, in a wide range of shapes and sizes. This ensures your products are not only clearly identified and compliant, but also carry your branding consistently from production through to the point of sale.
Get in Touch
If you’re in need of industrial identification tags & labels for ANY industry, we’d love to speak to you! Get in touch today and we’d be happy to supply quotes as well as supplying you with a free sample pack to test out the Bluepoint quality for yourself!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +44(0)1392 927 030
