Truss labels clearly identify the truss for the end user in the field, and provide contact information in case someone wants to know, "Whose truss is this?" Truss labels are printed on either rugged paper or a tough plastic and attached to every truss.
Trusses have always been “labeled,” more times than not by the stacker using a Magic Marker writing the truss ID on the 1½ " edge. Contact information can be added through use of a rubber stamp applied to the 3½ " face. Why go to the extra expense of printing and attaching a label?
"Labelers" feel that they are presenting a professional impression. Labels allow for the truss ID and contact information to always be the consistently displayed, not subject to "who is doing the marking" and weather conditions. It might only take one job site visit prompted by unreadable truss marks to get a company started making truss labels.
Although you can use a standard laser printer with some heavy stock paper, the "standard" way to create truss labels is to use a dedicated, industrial thermal printer and a roll or fan-folded stack of labels specifically designed for use with that that printer. Industrial printers are fast and have no problems with ink smearing or running. Among the thermal printers, the most often seen in the Northeast are the CL408e and CL412e printers from Sato. The "408" model works fine for most people. The "412" printer has better resolution and is a good choice, especially if you'd like to include graphics, like a logo, on the label and costs about $1,500. Don't skimp on extra memory if it's offered, it can speed up printing considerably. The Zebra S4M is also popular, and runs about $800. Datamax is another option.
The cost of printing labels includes the labels themselves, and an ink transfer strip. As labels are fed into the printer, the ink transfer strip (on a roll like packing tape) gets used up in the printing process. All told, a reasonable estimate for overall material costs are about 3 to 5 cents per label. One component manufacturer that sells $5-7 million in trusses a year calculates that he prints 66,000 labels at a cost of about $2,800 per year.
The choices for labels are many, and probably the best plan is to contact a high quality label supplier who can ask the right questions and find the best solution for you. You might ask about options for special colors and pre-printed backs. Dasko and Workflow One are two such label suppliers.
Labels are either "unsticky" and attached under a plate, or "sticky" and wrapped around a chord with the ends overlapping so the label is actually attached to itself as well as sticking to the wood. "Unsticky" labels (4” x 6" is common) are either made of paper or a tough plastic. The "wraparound" style is usually made of paper.
Label printers come with Windows drivers, just like any other business printer, that needs to be installed on the computer that will be using the printer. In MiTek's software suite, truss labels are printed using the custom report engine in the business management (MBA) software, that can be customized to look like most anything you'd like. Since MBA is also used to create the production groups, it's an easy process to print only the labels you need for a particular production group, put a rubber band around the stack, and then hand the labels to the production guys with the other paperwork.
I’d like to hear your thoughts about the value, or lack of value, in using printed labels.
