Choosing Number Tags

How to Choose the Right Numbered Tag

The best numbered tag depends on where it will be used, how it will be attached and the conditions it is likely to encounter. This guide explains the main materials, engraving methods and fixing options available to help you narrow down the most suitable product.

Start with the Intended Environment

Before selecting a material, consider the location and how the tag will be used:

• Indoor or outdoor: Standard ABS and many engraving laminates are primarily intended for indoor use, while selected exterior-grade products are made for weather exposure.
• Handling: Key tags and equipment tags may be handled frequently, whereas door and locker discs may remain fixed in one position.
• Temperature and chemicals: Plant rooms, workshops and industrial locations may require additional resistance that an economy plastic tag does not provide.
• Appearance: Consider whether you prefer coloured plastic, lightweight aluminium or a traditional metal finish.
• Fixing method: Check whether the tag needs a hole, adhesive backing, split ring, ball chain or another attachment.

Always check the individual product description before ordering. Material thickness, weather suitability, fixing options and engraving styles can vary between products.

Numbered Tag Materials

Two-Ply ABS Plastic

Two-ply ABS consists of a coloured surface and a contrasting layer underneath. Engraving removes the face colour where the number or text is required, revealing the second colour.

Often chosen for:

• Indoor key tags
• Locker and cupboard numbers
• Room and door identification
• General equipment references
• Economy numbering systems

Points to consider: Standard ABS products are generally intended for indoor or other non-harsh locations unless the individual product is specifically described as weatherproof or UV-stable.

Rigid Engraving Laminate

Rigid engraving laminate, including materials such as ABET hard laminate, provides a thicker and more substantial alternative to economy ABS. These materials are sometimes loosely referred to as Traffolyte, although the exact construction and grade can differ.

Often chosen for:

• Hotel and guest-house key fobs
• Control-panel and equipment labels
• Door and room identification
• Valve and plant-room references
• Applications requiring a more rigid tag

Points to consider: Do not assume that every engraving laminate is suitable outdoors. Exterior suitability depends on the particular material grade stated on the product page.

Exterior-Grade Engraving Laminate

Exterior laminates such as Gravoglas 2 are intended for applications where resistance to sunlight and weather is required. They provide contrasting engraved characters in a rigid plastic format.

Often chosen for:

• External door and wall labels
• Post and location markers
• Tree and horticultural tags
• Outdoor numbered discs

Points to consider: Confirm that the specific product is described as exterior-grade, weather-resistant or UV-stable before installing it outdoors.

Anodised Aluminium

Anodised aluminium provides a lightweight metal option with a coloured surface. Engraving removes the anodised colour where the characters are cut, revealing the natural aluminium beneath.

Often chosen for:

• Key and locker tags
• Vehicle-key identification
• Asset and equipment references
• Valve and maintenance tags
• Applications where a lightweight metal tag is preferred

Points to consider: Aluminium is lightweight and does not have the same weight or appearance as solid brass. Suitability for continuous outdoor exposure depends on the finish, location and product specification.

Solid Brass

Solid brass provides a traditional metal appearance and is available with several engraving finishes. The surface may naturally darken or develop a patina through handling and environmental exposure.

Often chosen for:

• Hotel and guest-house keys
• Door, table and locker numbers
• Vehicle and fleet key tags
• Valve and equipment identification
• Applications where a heavier metal tag is preferred

Points to consider: Brass can mark, tarnish or change colour over time. Select the engraving method and finish according to the appearance and environment required.

Nickel-Plated Brass

Nickel-plated brass combines a brass base with a silver-coloured plated surface. It provides a different appearance from natural brass while retaining a solid-metal construction.

Often chosen for:

• Key and locker tags
• Hotel key identification
• Numbered metal discs
• Applications requiring a silver-coloured finish

Points to consider: Nickel plating is a surface finish and may gradually show handling marks or wear.

Engraving Methods

Engraving Through a Coloured Surface

Layered plastic and anodised aluminium are engraved through the face colour to reveal a contrasting layer or the natural metal beneath. This produces characters that are cut into the surface rather than printed or applied as stickers.

Surface Etching

A diamond cutter marks the face of the metal with closely spaced lines. This method is commonly used on brass, nickel-plated brass and anodised aluminium where a lighter, surface-cut finish is required.

Deep Engraving

Deep or routed engraving removes more material and creates a recessed number or reference. It is available on selected plastic and metal products.

Black-Filled Engraving

On selected brass products, the engraved recesses can be filled with black to increase contrast against the metal surface. This produces a different appearance from unfilled deep engraving or surface etching.

Choosing a Size and Shape

Consider the available space, viewing distance and amount of engraving required:

• Smaller round tags: Useful for keys, lockers and compact identification systems.
• Larger discs: Provide more visible numbers for doors, tables, seats and storage locations.
• Rectangular tags: Offer additional room for longer references or more than one line.
• Large key fobs: Suitable for hotels and accommodation where keys need to be easy to identify and less likely to be misplaced.

Character size will depend on the tag dimensions and the number of characters required. Shorter references can normally be engraved more prominently than long text.

Fixing and Attachment Options

Available fixing methods vary by product and may include:

• One or two drilled holes
• No holes for adhesive mounting
• Optional self-adhesive backing
• Split rings
• Ball chains
• Wire-rope keyrings
• Cable ties

Check the hole diameter and attachment size before ordering. A connector or chain may be wider than the wire or ring itself and may require a larger hole.

Supplying Your Numbering

Most products can be ordered with consecutive numbers, repeated sets or an individual list. Examples include:

• 1–100
• Two sets numbered 1–20
• 1, 4, 7, 12 and 18
• A1–A20
• Short room, locker or equipment references

The quantity added to the basket should match the total number of physical tags required. For example, two sets numbered 1–10 require a quantity of 20 tags.

Quick Material Guide

• Economical indoor identification: Two-ply ABS plastic
• Thicker, more rigid plastic: ABET or another suitable engraving laminate
• Weather-exposed plastic labelling: A product specifically manufactured from exterior-grade laminate
• Lightweight metal identification: Anodised aluminium
• Traditional, heavier metal finish: Solid brass
• Silver-coloured solid-metal option: Nickel-plated brass

Before You Order

• Confirm whether the location is indoors or exposed to weather.
• Check for heat, moisture, chemicals or frequent abrasion.
• Choose a size that provides enough room for the required characters.
• Confirm the fixing-hole or adhesive requirements.
• Check that the basket quantity matches the number of tags required.
• Review all numbers, letters and repeated sets before completing the order.

Engraved products are made to the details supplied and are normally considered bespoke. They cannot usually be returned unless faulty or incorrectly supplied.