All about our asset labels

Our labels are used for identification purposes; in most circumstances each label is unique, enabling it to be used to identify the specific item to which it is attached.

This opens up a number of possible uses for them, including theft prevention, recovery of lost property and asset or inventory management.

Any valuable item that needs to be traced or identifiable can be marked with an asset label.

Materials used in asset label printing

The materials from which they are made and the strength of adhesive that is used to attach them affect how difficult they are to remove, damage or deface.
These labels can be manufactured from paper, metal, foil or plastics such as vinyl and PET. They are often printed with identifying information such as; company logo, name or contact details, phone number, offer of a reward if the item is returned, identification number usually combined with a barcode.
Basic paper or cheap plastic labels with weak adhesives are usually easy to remove; therefore they are suitable for temporary use and items of low value, where identification isn’t critical.
More expensive labels may incorporate a range of security features that prevent them from being removed or tampered with. They can be used on valuable items or when a permanent label is required. Security measures include frangible labels, voiding labels and labels coated with protective laminates.
Frangible asset labels are very thin but are attached using a strong adhesive. These labels cannot be removed in one piece. Small pieces can be picked off, but it is difficult to remove all traces of the label and adhesive, making it impossible to relocate or replace the label.
Voiding labels are made with a two-stage adhesive that makes them tamper evident. If an attempt is made to remove a voiding label, a residue is left on both the item and the sticker, marking them as VOID. The item is marked as having been tampered with and the sticker cannot be reused.

Label features

A clear over-laminate protective shell layer can be used to protect them from being damaged through scuffing.  This can make the label more difficult to remove either intentionally or accidentally. Labels that are protected in this way are often used on electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones as marks of identification. They are suitable for this type of permanent use as they will not adversely affect the appearance of the device by deteriorating over time and as they are handled.
Holographic items and metallic strips can be incorporated into these labels in order to prevent the production of counterfeit labels. If criminals were able to simply copy genuine labels, they would be able to pass fake items off as genuine products.
Barcodes are not the only method through which an asset label can be scanned. Radio-frequency identification or RFID technology can be incorporated. A Californian crime lab has already set up a system of RFID scanners that, together with RFID tags on all of the evidence that passes through the lab, automatically monitors the progress of each item through the building. The RFID system in the lab replaced a more traditional barcode system, which required workers to manually scan each item of evidence. The RFID scanners scan every item as it passes in or out or the room. Barcode asset labels are still used, but rather than identifying the specific piece of evidence, they are now used to group the items according to case number.

Applications of an asset sticker

The range of applications is endless; they can be attached to any item that needs to be identified, whether they need to be individually recognizable or simply identifiable as a member of a particular group. Businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and individuals have all used them for various purposes and they can be designed to be used by groups or individuals, in batches or printed from a database.
Asset labels that provide evidence that it is a genuine product are meant for end users, whilst those that can be used for organization and management purposes are meant to mark ownership.
This type of use is commonly used by schools and universities to mark expensive items of equipment such as computers but it can also be useful for businesses and private individuals. Portable and valuable items are most commonly marked since these are at the highest risk of being stolen. Laptop and desktop computers, servers and musical equipment are often protected using these labels. Less expensive items that are commonly stolen, for example by shoplifters, may also be marked with security labels. If the thief is detected then it will be necessary to provide proof that the item was stolen in order to pursue legal action.
Holographic labels may also be used to mark items such as identity cards and tickets that have little intrinsic value, but which are valuable because of what they can be used to do. An identification number, barcode label or RFID tag in such an item can be used to check its authenticity or to ascertain the rightful owner. A security label can also act as a mark of authenticity. Counterfeit tickets for concerts and sporting events are frequently sold to unsuspecting fans – with a security hologram label, they can be used to differentiate fakes from the real thing.

Theft prevention labels

A clearly visible identification label can act as a deterrent to theft. Some insurance companies offer discounts to clients who attach secure asset labels to their valuables.
A stock of asset stickers can be maintained so that a label can quickly be attached to every new item. Engraving or etching items can be more complicated. Invisible or ultra-violet ink can be just as simple to use, but it may not be as useful as a deterrent to theft, since the thief may be unaware that the marking is there.
If the item is recovered by the police, the ultraviolet ink may be discovered, but if the item falls into the hands of a normal individual it will probably never be found. Anyone can read an asset sticker and be put off from stealing the item, or inspired to contact the owner in order to ensure the item is returned.
Assets stickers may also aid in the recovery of items that have been stolen or lost. The return of the items could be enabled through such a simple measure as printing the label with a contact address or phone number for the company or individual to whom it belongs. Another option is to use a professional service. Items are registered with the service and are marked with fixed asset labels. The labels are printed with an identification number and a contact number for the company providing the service. If the item is found or recovered by a law enforcement agency, the company is notified and arranges for the item to be returned to its rightful owner.

Cargo theft

The identification of an item's owner or manufacturer can also help to deter crime on a larger scale. Cargo theft is a major problem in some areas of the world such as Mexico and South Africa. Goods that are being transported through these areas can be marked using a tamper proof security sticker. Anyone who tries to sell stolen goods will risk being identified as a thief because the true owner of the items will be easily identifiable. Tamper evident labels can also prevent criminals from attempting to sell counterfeit items.

Tamper proof & tamper evident labels

Tamper proof labels may be attached to an item as a proof of authenticity. Electronics manufacturers often attach barcoded security stickers showing their company logo or an identification number or barcode to their products in order to prevent the sale of counterfeit items. Only genuine products carry the correct labels. They can also be used to mark special or limited edition items. Author J K Rowling uses holographic stickers to identify her genuine autographs in order to prevent the sale of fakes.

Database & inventory control

Variations of these labels are very useful when a large number of items need to be tracked and managed. This is often for businesses that need to organize their stock or assets. Items can be identified individually or by class. A retail business may use barcode labels to mark items by price and type, for example, to make it easier to process sales and keep track of stock levels.
The information that is printed on labels can be linked to a database of items. The database entry for a particular item can be quickly located using the identifying information on the asset label. Businesses can use this type of database and asset labelling to organize their inventory, to manage their stock and to perform audits. Assets can be registered and managed through the combination of labels and databases.
Asset labels that are used for inventory management and auditing often include a barcode. This makes identification of the item much quicker and easier. It also prevents the human error that can occur when identification numbers are entered manually.
Individual items can be tracked and traced. This can be useful for loan items such as electronic goods, DVDs or library books. The current borrower can be identified and the due date for the return of the item can be checked. The use of tools or equipment by employees can also be tracked in this way.
Businesses can use individual tracking of goods to ensure that they are in the right place at the right time. Items can also be tracked as they move between different departments or locations within a business. Perishable goods and medical supplies can be monitored to ensure that they are taken off the shelves before their expiry dates. Livestock may be identified with durable asset tags, often attached through the ear, in order to monitor their transportation and sale.
The movement of members of staff can also be monitored using asset labels incorporated into identity cards. Security guards may be required to scan their card at various points as they make their rounds of the building they are protecting, for example.

Crime scene security labels

Being able to identify and track items can be of the utmost importance in some situations. Law enforcement agencies must maintain the chain of evidence when handling material that has been collected from a crime scene. Tracking samples and preventing confusion and contamination is also essential in many laboratory environments. Asset labels are a tamper proof way of identifying items and are therefore ideal for situations like these when there is the need for a reliable tracking system.

RFID asset labels

The use of RFID tags offers a range of potential new uses for asset labels. Affordable RFID scanners are available for home computers. Individuals can easily set up their own inventory or database and use RFID tags to identify the items in the system. It is also possible for companies to include information in an RFID tag that can be read by their customers. When the tag is scanned, it could open up the company's website, or link to a special offer on another purchase.