On-Site Label, Sign and Tag Printing: Your Questions Answered

Mine sites in Australia have a range of sign, tag and marking needs. The remoteness of some of these sites has always made delivery a challenge, but the last few years have seen on-site printing become the norm. Wiremarkers® Australia General Manager, Jarryd Crampton, answers some questions about portable printer options for the mining industry. 

What are the best on-site printers for the mining industry?

We have three clear leaders for mine sites. The first and most popular is the SmartMark IDP 31S Wiremarking Tag Printer. This one can print in colour or black and white, produces up to 15,000 15mm tags per day and is used for ferrules, inserts, core marking and cable tags. It’s easy to use and requires no training as Microsoft Excel drives the printing. 

For flexibility with sign and label printing, the MAX Bepop Thermal Transfer Printer is popular. This one prints high-quality adhesive vinyl labels with a UV tolerance of five years for red and yellow labels and up to ten years for all other colours. Additional UV block can extend the label life to 15 to 25 years. This UV stabilisation is vital for outdoor areas in mine sites, and our labels consistently outlast that of our competitors. Faded warning labels on a worksite fail to serve their purpose and pose a real danger. 

The value of this printer goes well beyond warning signs. It prints full colour and has a 360-degree blade to cut to any shape and size (up to 100mm high by 2000mm long) from a single roll of vinyl. There’s no need for multiple different label sizes. 

This one has so many uses on mine sites, making it a great choice. The free software and different vinyl available means it can be used to create SVI labels, warning signs, pipe markers, t-flags, danger labels, ARC flash labels, pipe markers, hose labels, health and safety signs, and so much more.

Finally, for true portability on mine sites, we have the LM-550A2BH Ferrule, Tube and Heatshrink Printer. As the name suggests, this one is perfect for tape and tube printing. It can run on standard AA batteries and works with or without a fixed power source. 

This one is also easy to use and perfect to be taken around site, with a large backlit screen for dimly lit areas and a sturdy carry case for protection. It can print on PVC tubes sized between 1.5mm and 8mm, heat shrinkable tubes sized between 2mm and 6.5mm, 5mm, 9mm, or 12mm wide tapes, 4mm ID ferrules or 10mm cable tags. Printing options include both horizontal and vertical text.

What makes these printers different to others on the market? 

Our Bepop is the only printer with a 360-degree blade precise to 0.1mm. It’s also unique in that just one roll of vinyl is needed to print every size of tag or label. Typically printers require different sized rolls for each label style printed. 

Despite the higher quality we offer, we’re also priced lower than others on the market. This is true for both the actual printer and the consumables. 

Of course, being based in Australia means delivery is faster, and support from our team is just a phone call away. We have offices in Brisbane and Perth, and our crew is often on the road visiting other areas, so we can always arrange a face-to-face demonstration or assistance if needed.

What specifications do the tag and label printers meet?

All our printers meet ISO9001 Quality Standard, with the SmartMark, Bepop, and LM all specified for use in mine sites and the telecommunication industry. They’re also specified for use in health and safety, vehicle identification, military, and the renewable energy industry.

Which printers work without a connected power source?

Our relatively recent innovation was to adapt the LM Ferrule, Tube and Heatshrink Printer to run off standard AA batteries. This has allowed the printer to be truly portable, and its other features, such as the large screen and hard carry case, mean it’s the right printer to be taken out on-site for immediate tagging. 

What warranties and guarantees do you offer?

All our printers come with a two-year warranty, but the most significant advantage for our Australian customers is that we are based locally. If assistance is needed, our team is just a phone call away. We take pride in understanding the requirements and specifications of the industries we serve, including the mining industry, so we can direct our customers to the most suitable products for their needs. 

How can people find out more?

We’ve got a huge range of products available on our website, and people can speak with the team or send us an email from there too.