Asset Tag Material and Thickness Selection Guide
Choose the substrate and thickness from the surface, mounting method and handling conditions, then confirm the choice with a sample.
Choose the surface first. Material comes next.
A smooth laptop lid, a curved tool housing and a drilled machine plate do not need the same tag. Compare the full combination of surface shape, rigidity, mounting and the way the asset is handled.
Compare every material on the same criteria
| Material path | Rigidity | Surface shape | Current mounting options | Use a sample when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anodized aluminum | 5, 8 and 12 mil options range from thin aluminum to a stiffer plate | Flat surfaces; thinner options can follow a gentle curve more easily | Adhesive or mounting holes on current examples | The surface is curved, textured or frequently cleaned |
| 304 stainless steel | Rigid metal plate | Flat equipment and fixed plates | Mounting holes on current examples | You are considering adhesive instead of mechanical mounting |
| Brass and other metal tags | Rigid metal plate | Flat plates, instruments and equipment | Mounting holes on current brass examples | Finish, engraving depth or appearance must match an existing plate |
| Polyester film | Flexible 2 mil and 5 mil film options | Smooth flat or gently curved surfaces | Permanent or removable adhesive on current examples | The surface has texture, a low-energy coating or tight curvature |
These are selection rules, not service-life promises. The final specification still depends on the exact surface, cleaning process and mounting area.
Choose aluminum thickness by stiffness
The current anodized-aluminum catalog has 5 mil, 8 mil and 12 mil Products. Thickness changes how the tag handles before and after mounting.
- 5 mil: choose it when a thinner aluminum tag and lower displayed tier price matter. It follows a gentle curve more easily than the thicker options.
- 8 mil: use the middle thickness when 5 mil feels too flexible but a 12 mil plate is unnecessary.
- 12 mil: choose it when the tag should stay visibly flat and feel more like a plate.
Thickness does not replace the mounting decision. All three same-size examples below currently offer adhesive and mounting holes.
For a direct decision between the two ends of the range, see 5 mil vs 12 mil anodized aluminum asset tags.
Match mounting to the surface
Adhesive needs enough clean contact area. A Product with mounting holes gives you a mechanical option when the surface, handling or placement makes adhesive uncertain. Rivets and screws also make removal visible, but they require the asset to accept drilling or an existing hole pattern.
For film labels, test whether the label lifts at edges or around a curve. For metal tags, confirm that the plate sits flat and does not bridge a raised feature.
Use this order to narrow the catalog
- Decide whether the surface needs a flexible film, thin aluminum or a rigid plate.
- Choose adhesive or mechanical mounting from the actual asset surface.
- Confirm that the tag size leaves enough room for text, barcode, QR code or serial data.
- Compare the current price tiers for the remaining Products.
- Request samples if the surface or exposure is still uncertain.
The live comparison below uses the same 0.75 x 1.5 inch footprint across 5, 8 and 12 mil anodized aluminum. Size, mounting, production range and price tiers come from the current Product data.
Current 0.75 x 1.5 inch aluminum options
The specifications and reference prices in these tables are read from the current Product catalog.
| Criteria | 5 mil | 8 mil | 12 mil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Warehouse Aluminum Asset Tag — 0.75 x 1.5 in (19x38 mm) Rectangle, 5 mil anodized aluminum (0.1 mm) | Fixed-Asset Aluminum Heavy-Duty Asset Tag — 0.75 x 1.5 in (19x38 mm) Rectangle, 8 mil anodized aluminum (0.2 mm) | Aluminum Asset Tag — 0.75 x 1.5 in (19x38 mm) Rectangle, 12 mil anodized aluminum (0.3 mm) |
| Size | 0.75 x 1.5 in (19×38 mm) | 0.75 x 1.5 in (19×38 mm) | 0.75 x 1.5 in (19×38 mm) |
| Thickness | 5 mil anodized aluminum | 8 mil anodized aluminum | 12 mil anodized aluminum |
| Selection cue | Thinner aluminum; follows a gentle curve more easily | Middle thickness between thin aluminum and a plate | Stiffest of the three; stays visibly flat |
| Mounting | Adhesive, Mounting holes | Adhesive, Mounting holes | Adhesive, Mounting holes |
| Product production range | 5-8 business days after proof approval | 5-8 business days after proof approval | 5-8 business days after proof approval |
Reference Product tiers in USD
| Quantity | 5 mil | 8 mil | 12 mil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 pieces | $0.98/pc $97.96 total | $1.75/pc $174.53 total | $2.17/pc $217.00 total |
| 300 pieces | $0.62/pc $185.00 total | $1.35/pc $404.60 total | $1.50/pc $450.00 total |
| 500 pieces | $0.54/pc $270.00 total | $1.14/pc $569.50 total | $1.24/pc $620.00 total |
| 1000 pieces | $0.43/pc $430.00 total | $0.80/pc $797.30 total | $0.87/pc $868.00 total |
The displayed tier is a reference price for the product specification shown on the page. Standard artwork setup and the digital proof are included.Custom options typically change the unit price by about US$0.30-US$0.60 per piece.Your written quote confirms the final specification and price before production.Shipping, destination taxes or duties, rush work and custom sample fees are not included in the displayed reference total.
Request samples to check surface fit and mounting before the production run.
Frequently asked questions
- Which asset tag material should I start with?
- Start with the mounting surface. Smooth, flat assets can use anodized aluminum or polyester. Rigid plates suit flat equipment with holes, rivets or screws. Test a sample when the surface is curved, textured or exposed to repeated cleaning.
- What is the difference between 5 mil, 8 mil and 12 mil aluminum?
- Five mil is the thinnest and most conformable option in the current aluminum range. Eight mil is the middle choice. Twelve mil is the stiffest of the three and behaves more like a plate.
- Can metal asset tags use adhesive?
- Mounting depends on the Product. Current anodized-aluminum examples offer adhesive and mounting holes. Current rigid stainless-steel and brass examples are listed with mounting holes. Screws or rivets are the buyer's fastener choice for a holed plate, not a separate option we supply.
- When should I request samples?
- Request samples before a production run when adhesion, curvature, texture, abrasion or cleaning exposure is uncertain. Test the actual surface and placement, not a substitute material.