2013Video Assist and Video Accessories forum
Methods for labeling custom cables with affordable solutions
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A dedicated label maker using laminated flexible cable-specific tape produces durable results, though the software can be difficult to use.
- Hand-writable cable labeling tape sold at general retailers tends to perform poorly.
- Printing labels on regular paper and securing them with clear heat shrink tubing is an inexpensive alternative.
- Heat shrink tubing can sometimes be stretched over already-assembled connector ends by using needle-nose pliers to thin and elongate the plastic before sliding it into position.
- Labels should include the cable owner's name and contact information along with the cable's purpose and source.
- Heat shrink tubing can be applied over a label wrapped around the barrel of a connector for additional protection on larger cables.
Depends on
- Heat shrink stretching technique works only on some connector types and heat shrink brands, with variable success rates.
- The technique requires trial and error to master.
- The dedicated label maker tape is relatively expensive despite the device itself being affordable.
- Heat shrink solutions cannot be applied to cables that are already fully assembled if the connector ends are too bulky to fit the tubing over.
- This discussion does not resolve which affordable labeling method offers the best overall value.