Asset Tag Material Comparison

Choose the build that matches your surface and environment. All McAuley asset tags are precision printed for high-contrast scanning, waterproof, and made in the USA. Used across industries for asset tracking, these labels support efficient equipment management and loss prevention — a concept detailed in Wikipedia’s article on asset tracking.

Material	Look & Finish	Adhesion Strength	Durability	Chem / UV Resistance	Conformability	Best For
Metalized Silver Polyester (PET + permanent acrylic)	Brushed silver, premium look	High on smooth surfaces	3–7 years	Good	Moderate	IT assets, tools, office equipment, shelving
White Polyester (PET + permanent acrylic)	Matte white, maximum barcode contrast	High on smooth surfaces	3–7 years	Good	Moderate	Healthcare, labs, education, compliance labels
Heavy-Duty 3M Polyester (PET + 3M high-tack)	White or silver, industrial finish	Very high (textured / powder-coat)	5–10 years	Very good	High	Machinery, warehouses, outdoor or oily environments

*Lifespan depends on exposure (sunlight, chemicals, abrasion) and surface prep.

Which Material Should You Pick?

• Premium look & durability: Metalized Silver Polyester
• Highest barcode readability: White Polyester
• For textured or harsh environments: Heavy-Duty 3M Polyester

Detailed Specs

Metalized Silver Polyester (PET)

• Finish: brushed-silver; black print provides strong scan contrast
• Adhesive: permanent acrylic for smooth metals, plastics, and glass
• Resistance: scratch/water resistant; good UV and solvent tolerance
• Conformability: moderate (not for deep texture/powder-coat)
• Lifespan: 3–7 years indoors or sheltered outdoor use
• Common uses: laptops, servers, tools, shelves, office equipment

White Polyester (PET)

• Finish: matte white for the highest barcode contrast
• Adhesive: permanent acrylic for smooth surfaces
• Resistance: scratch/water resistant; good UV and cleaners
• Lifespan: 3–7 years
• Common uses: hospitals, labs, schools, calibrated gear, compliance IDs

Heavy-Duty 3M Polyester (PET + 3M High-Tack Adhesive)

• Finish: white or silver industrial surface
• Adhesive: 3M high-tack adhesive for textured or low-energy plastics
• Resistance: impact/abrasion resistant; very good UV and chemical tolerance
• Conformability: high; resists edge lift and peeling
• Lifespan: 5–10 years in industrial indoor/outdoor use
• Common uses: machinery, forklifts, racks, outdoor assets, MRO

Shared Options (All Materials)

• Serialization, 1D/2D barcodes, QR codes
• Custom sizes and shapes (square, round, with/without corner radius)
• Logos and brand colors
• Tamper-evident cuts available on request

Surface Prep Tips

1. Clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol and allow it to dry.
2. Apply at room temperature with firm pressure.
3. Allow 24–72 hours for full adhesive cure before washing or heavy use.
4. For textured or powder-coated surfaces, choose Heavy-Duty 3M.

FAQs

Will these stick to powder-coated equipment?
Use Heavy-Duty 3M for textured or powder-coated surfaces.

Which scans best?
The White Polyester option provides the highest barcode contrast.

Do you offer tamper-evident options?
Yes—tamper cuts and specialty films are available upon request.

Outdoor use?
All materials work outdoors; Heavy-Duty 3M offers the longest UV and chemical resistance.

Can I add my logo and serial numbers?
Yes—upload your logo and choose serialized or variable data at checkout.