Ok, I know some things from China/Taiwan can be inexpensive but how about 100 plant tags with a free S&H for 97 cents ???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-Waterproof-Strip-Line-Gardening-Labels-Signs-Plant-Hanging-Tags-Gray-hv2n-/251381216915?pt=US_Garden_Tools&hash=item3a877cf693

I've seen those. The plastic is like on the white long and narrow tags you insert into a pot. 
These are good for grafts for me since they are light and still durable enough, I can hang them on a branch. 

I think that's good, but I just cut up the soda and beer cans and emboss the variety on them.  A hole puncher works great and then I just tag them.  EasyPeasy and no cost at all.
Suzi

And you get to drink the beer first! :>)

Well guys and gals, here is a problem with your suggestions:
the good beer I like is not sold in cans !!
Bottles only.  Now what?

But pepsi is.

If the plant inventory gets large, I make sure quality and long lasting is a factor.
These are great tags, I reuse them by just crossing off and adding on a corner or backside.
Misplacing a tag or forgetting what something is... is more of a loss to me then saving a couple $.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TREE-TAGS-PLANT-LABELS-ID-MARKERS-/270617549007?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f021018cf

hang the bottle with name on the label :)

1" window blinds bought from Goodwill or rescued from roadside cut to length and hole punched work great.  Make sure you use a permanent marker.

Flatten the bottle cap with a mallet and emboss on the inside?

Pete, your suggestion might be a little impractical. I think humor was you aim though. You succeeded - IMO. LOL!

Hey Danny. I've used the old blinds extensively. Surprisingly, one of those paint markers works even better on them than a sharpie marker. Those 2" wide plastic blinds are even better. They're thicker & seem like they would last a long time. I was salvaging the end pieces of some of those recently when my wife put new blinds in our dining room. Up-cycling at its best :) . 

bill, yeah.. it would be impractical. but if you leave few drops in the bottle, it will also work as slug trap :) 

I like it how some good things is easier to process with beer :) Pete, any particular brand you suggest that work best for the slugs? Please, see-through-the-bottle beers is not an option. I found that a pencil works better for me than a sharpie. Much more durable and is not affected by the UV rays.

I use plastic knives. Cut the end flat and cut off serating then write in it with pencil. Tested them last yr with sharpie and pencil and found sharpie wears off but pencil seems more permanent.
Total cost; free!

Thanks I ordered some, I will not be using these as permanent labels, but for less than $2 shipped for 200 why not?  I use the mini-blind alot and the paint markers do last longer than sharpie. For permanent labeling the metal impresso style tags are worth it, but I will use these when grafting be it on an existing tree or a rootstock, until the graft takes it has not earned  permanent.  I might use them when sending cuttings or such, but for a buck it worth me not having to snip punch and thread a tag from a mini-blind. That is until my GREEN minded daughter lectures me on leaving the Planet in a respectable shape to her, and she is right so maybe I will have to hide these.

[QUOTE=strudeldog] That is until my GREEN minded daughter lectures me on leaving the Planet in a respectable shape to her, and she is right so maybe I will have to hide these.[/QUOTE]

Enlist your GREEN minded daughter to help recycle the blinds by making the tags for you - have her put her money where her mouth is :)   (always worked for me either to get help or to shut up the criticism)

[QUOTE=nullzero]If the plant inventory gets large, I make sure quality and long lasting is a factor.
These are great tags, I reuse them by just crossing off and adding on a corner or backside.
Misplacing a tag or forgetting what something is... is more of a loss to me then saving a couple $.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TREE-TAGS-PLANT-LABELS-ID-MARKERS-/270617549007?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f021018cf[/QUOTE]

I fell in love with these tags lat year and set about making embossed labels with a hammer and die set. They looked great. Today I surveyed some of my trees and discovered that most of these tags are now delaminating. There is a paper layer in between the two foil layers and it has absorbed moisture causing separation. All that work and now I'm afraid they will not last.

Looks like I'm going back to the more expensive solid copper tags or maybe even just some plastic tags with an indelible marker.

[QUOTE=cyberfarmer]Looks like I'm going back to the more expensive solid copper tags or maybe even just some plastic tags with an indelible marker.[/QUOTE]

The copper tags do last a very long time.

Indelible marker rarely lasts a year, BUT white-out pens on black plastic lasts for 5+ years in my experience. It is physical, not a dye.

It is not cheap but a Dymo Rhino M1011 does a nice job.  It actually embosses metal ribbon (stainless steel or aluminum).  I've been using one for probably about a year & am very happy with it.  

I tried some laminated metal tags like cyberfarmer mentioned & I agree they are garbage.  Pencil on plastic is much better than sharpie.  I think wax pencil also would work very well but the tip is kind of broad & it is difficult to record much info on a reasonable size tag.

John

Considering I can't turn down anything for $1, I just bought some. Thanks for the tip.

John nice tool, I have been looking for something like this , thanks for posting it

[video]http://youtu.be/TRWEJfUFdOg[/video]

For $473 it should accept computer input rather than having to dial each letter individually.  The plastic labels get brittle and crack after 1 - 3 years.

I've been staring at old vertical blinds in my living room for too long. I wrapped a few lengths with 3" Aluminum Tape and now have plenty of 3"x3.5" labels. I wrote the name in ball point pen and wrote on top of that with a nursery marker. I can now read the labels from 20' away.

[QUOTE=rcantor]For $473 it should accept computer input rather than having to dial each letter individually.  The plastic labels get brittle and crack after 1 - 3 years.[/QUOTE]

$473.00 is from an industrial supply company which you know you pay double the normal price is around $250.00 I just did a quick search on ebay and I saw quite a few go off for between  $50.00 to $100.00 

Amazon sells them for $140

I am tempted

Looks like they are ripping them off in Aus.  It goes for $140 on Amazon w/ free shipping.  When I bought mine, I got it from B&H Photo, they were marginally cheaper on the unit but WAY cheaper on the metal ribbon cartridges.

A computer input would be nice but you'll be paying a lot more than $473 for something that will imprint metal (I looked before ordering this one).  Plastic labels will not work out, that's why I recommended this one.

John

[QUOTE=rcantor]For $473 it should accept computer input rather than having to dial each letter individually.  The plastic labels get brittle and crack after 1 - 3 years.[/QUOTE]

If you want "computerized" input, then there are a number of online firms offering mail-order embossed or engraved stainless metal tags starting around $5 each for small quantities.

Oh boy... another toy.

Since soda and beer can metal tear so easily, I looked around and found some really heavy aluminum embossing sheets from an art supply place. Easy to cut with heavier scissors or old-fashioned paper cutter and can be embossed with no trouble by writing on with a ball point pen. Only problem is that the edges can be a bit sharp if you have kids (or adults) that are attracted to shiny objects.

I was about to try sticking a sheet of aluminum flashing in my 1911 Underwood type writer, but I couldn't resist the Rhino. Probably would have ruined the Underwood anyway.

My soda can tags seem to last just fine, but the ones that don't are the ones stuck in the ground made from blinds.  Why would that be?  I'm thinking a certain person, whose name I won't mention, goes to fix a dripper, moves things around, and the tag is somewhere under mulch.  It could be anywhere from 1 - 6' from the tree.  Just found RDB's tag yesterday, 4' from the tree.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Suzi

I started using soda can tags on plants (pre-fig days) a number of years ago. The idea is very appealing, but not a single one lasted past 3-4 years. The metal is just too weak for my uses.

My favorite default labels are mini blinds with pencil, but mainly for veggie seedlings which do not require a long life. The blinds survive, but eventually the writing fades. When using in soil, I do like to cut them long and stick them in as deep as possible.

[QUOTE=cyberfarmer][QUOTE=nullzero]If the plant inventory gets large, I make sure quality and long lasting is a factor.
These are great tags, I reuse them by just crossing off and adding on a corner or backside.
Misplacing a tag or forgetting what something is... is more of a loss to me then saving a couple $.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TREE-TAGS-PLANT-LABELS-ID-MARKERS-/270617549007?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f021018cf[/QUOTE]

I fell in love with these tags lat year and set about making embossed labels with a hammer and die set. They looked great. Today I surveyed some of my trees and discovered that most of these tags are now delaminating. There is a paper layer in between the two foil layers and it has absorbed moisture causing separation. All that work and now I'm afraid they will not last.

Looks like I'm going back to the more expensive solid copper tags or maybe even just some plastic tags with an indelible marker.[/QUOTE]

Paul, I've been using Impress-O tags with no problems like you've encountered.  Are you using a different brand?  If the Impress-O tags are failing I'd guess it's a problem with your use of a punch.  I write on them with an old ball-point pen.

I have the Dymo label maker and found it was too difficult to use the stainless steel tags and it's still too slow for writing much with the aluminum tags so really just prefer the Impress-O tags.  I think they're a bit pricey but worth it for me.  I'm using a large version, I think 2" x 3" so I have more room for writing and so tags are easier to spot.

Harvey, he must be using the pointy square corner ones.....and not the Impress-O tags.  Those will rust on you!  The Impress-O tags i use have never rust plus the corner are round on them.  Use 2 different size zip ties to secure on your tree.  

However, I'm getting ready to switch to brass and engrave a number on each.

  I use aluminum strips made from soda or beer cans. Using a utility knife and sturdy scissors with serrated blades, cut away the top and bottom, then cut lengthwise to make individual sheets. To flatten, wrap one or two sheets around a 1’’ dowel (clear aluminum side out) and roll them on a hard even surface.

With an old paper cutter, cut and trim the rough edges further into 3-1/2” x 8” sheets, then cut into 1/2” x 8” or 3/4” x 8” strips. Over a folded newspaper, print the variety name on the clear side with a spent ball point pen (a Sharpie works as well; a letter puncher is even better). To attach to a rooted cutting or tree, line up the two ends to overlap; staple together with a Tot stapler using #10 staples (standard staplers don’t work as well).

[QUOTE=HarveyC]... Paul, I've been using Impress-O tags with no problems like you've encountered.  Are you using a different brand?  If the Impress-O tags are failing I'd guess it's a problem with your use of a punch.  I write on them with an old ball-point pen. ...[/QUOTE]

Harvey, that's my experience also. They've also been handy denoting "which pipe is which" as I build out my fertigation system.

Here's the manufacturer: Amekron Impress-O tags

I use 1 1/2 inch stainless steel washers about .5 cents each and electric engraver $12.99 (could use hammer and a die set ) they last forever just change zip ties . I also use blinds for better visibility and extra info and a paint pen for a number on tree for security ( could use a bigger washer)

Yes, I have been using Impress-O tags. Harvey, I think you are right about the square punches. The force of hammering on them must have created a break in the edge seam, and once moisture gets in, the inside layer swells . Even with the delamination, they will probably last a good long while. I guess I just like the way they look with embossed letters rather than hand writing. Damn my OCD.

Lots of great suggestions in the thread and some new ideas to try. Thanks.

So far, I have been a fan of recycling 1 inch vinyl old mini blinds for propagation projects, as long as I knowl they are newer, not the ones from the 90s rumored to have lead. I use pencil to mark on them. It's not much work or time for something I will shortly give away to a new home. And they slide down the curved edge of a plastic cup nicely. But I also make permanent labels with soda or beer cans or copper ( like the thin rolls to keep snails out of raised beds ) for anything that ends up in the ground.