Tool to apply labels (9 Viewers)

[pokerkid05]

Hey chippers,

This might be a silly question but is there any kind of suction like tool or something that one would use to apply new labels perfectly or is it good enough to just apply by hand?

Brett

 

[Mushmanchuman]

I’m not sure a machine would be able to align each label to each chip. Unless each chip was perfectly mint it would be off just a little.

Even being off a hair will make the label not align correctly. You gotta make sure that label fits each chip. I’m not sure a machine could do that.

By hand seems to make the most sense to me.

 

[AlbinoDragon]

Hey chippers,

This might be a silly question but is there any kind of suction like tool or something that one would use to apply new labels perfectly or is it good enough to just apply by hand?

Brett

A stand magnifier similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-Upgrade-Infinite-Brightness-Magnifier/dp/B0D4DYYQT7/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yfwcTsu0b9UDR0jbugjXgoliJaWQgltB_iv5YEr4JO07iVk4QWptAcFLHCNKp229b6LA04qJdqAyTFHzWdK9hib9YugzajzX5zOAN5Gllo8u1ZP1hipeg6_xNYCmQ2hraxZzLLPkUYkJFyhBJYFdzZ9YMuY0MaK2qWVZR4Cv9rlBXZS7u1DNfrynp1Y7Hb0GA0beYVwlGlZNYwIFQE8av-NY2w_996j6M0o_4mnT0ousyPWK7qIEPV76FDfgkuj27_0eGhAUlldWAYKte0pThRaPpzRO0XjrS0WCyFWXjS8.mAx8sA7x1oYo_EP6kPS_s5QglPI-Hq3nmwqbBi4ZuhA&dib_tag=se&keywords=illuminated+stand+magnifier&qid=1734144501&sr=8-5&th=1

and some patience applying by hand is likely the best way to go about applying labels.

As @Mushmanchuman said, no machine is going to be able to get them lined up quite right. It'll take a little time, but the end result will be worth the effort.


[EDIT - bad spelling]

 

[Hot Nuts]

I use an X-acto knife to center it, then press down edge away from knife towards knife.

 

[KHarp1]

I think I just read something from Wifey that the knife method, or something very similar, is what they recommend at Gear. I'm sure it's posted here, somewhere.

 

[Sparkynutz]

@Timmah how did the label centering jigs I made work?

 

[Timmah]

@Timmah how did the label centering jigs I made work?

They worked good in theory. The issue using them was that the jigs were perfectly centered while the inlays were not. I ended up applying the over labels freehand. With enough repetition, it gets easy. Basically I would start at the edge and and bring the sticker in gradually until it was where I needed it. I also didn’t press the stick flat until I knew it was where I wanted it. @Gear labs can my pulled up and replaced a couple of times.

 

[wickedwonka121]

I use thin tweezers. Something like this:

Beaditive High Precision Tweezers 3 Pack - 4.7" Craft Tweezers for Sewing, Beading & DIY Crafts - Non-Serrated Jewelry Tweezer Set with Fine Point Tips - Stainless Steel Needle Nose Hobby Tweezers https://a.co/d/1ICapjU

I can center the labels really well and they don't stick too much. Press the edge down as it's centered, pull the tweezers away as you hold the edge of th blabel in place, then roll the label down to avoid bubbles. Good luck

 

[Colquhoun]

I use tweezers, held slightly above the surface and then tack it down with a finger.
I made a whole thread about it, back when I had more free time
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/labeling-done-right.76132/

 

[pokerkid05]

Thanks for all the advice! That’s exactly what I meant like tweezers or small hand tool to aid in applying. Sounds like this is a helpful method

 

[Hot Nuts]

I found x-acto knife easier to maneuver labels than tweezers, but I have fat fingers and bad eyesight. Labels came off easier too.

 

[allforcharity]

I have applied all Gear labels by hand.

 

[cpac54]

I use a simple pair of tweezers and a steady hand.

 

[Taghkanic]

Honestly I do it by hand and don’t see how this could be fully automated at home. Every clay chip is very slightly different.

After you’ve done a few dozen, you’ll get quick at it and the process becomes intuitive. I use my fingers and hold the chip pretty close to my eyes so I can accurately view the contours.

But it’s almost more of a feel thing. If I had to describe it, I sort of push one edge of the label into an interior edge of the recess so it is lightly attached on one side. If the label is properly sized it should then be easy to slowly let the rest of the label roll down into the recess, and it will fill the space.

If the label does not fit well, some adjustment may be necessary, which is why I don’t run my thumb over it to fully adhere it until I’m sure it’s placed correctly.

Labels tend to get easily ruined if you handle them too much. You can try to lift a misaligned label with the tip of an Xacto knife or similar tool. But you can expect some wastage on a few if you are applying hundreds or thousands of labels, which is why vendors like Gear tend to provide some extra.

For me the slow part is not adhering the labels but peeling them off the backing. I’ve tried many methods for speeding this up, none perfect.

 

[Machine]

I use a simple pair of tweezers and a steady hand.

 

[aaronroch]

I use a simple pair of tweezers and a steady hand.

This absolutely works.

I prefer:

Angled cross-locking tweezers
Plastic burnisher or ‘bone folder’

not sure I’d bother buying them just to do chips, but I use the tweezers a fair bit for other hobbies.

 

[Littleluck55]

I use a dental kit. The flat angled end one I use to line up label to edge and press down with your finger.

The sharp edge hooks are good for removing labels from a previous labeled chip or when murdering chips.

 

[JackJack]

I’m confident the answer is no but I’m gonna ask anyway… has anyone ever tried a drop of rubbing alcohol on the inlay so that they can move the sticker around. Once the alcohol evaporates the label should be centered. Obviously running the adhesive is the concern.

 

[KHarp1]

In theory tits sounds like a good idea, not sure if the alcohol would be too harsh of a solvent for the ink of the label. @Wifey might have some insight.

 

[JackJack]

In theory tits sounds like a good idea, not sure if the alcohol would be too harsh of a solvent for the ink of the label. @Wifey might have some insight.

Water, a solution of water with a drop of soap, or something else could also be considered.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Hey chippers,

This might be a silly question but is there any kind of suction like tool or something that one would use to apply new labels perfectly or is it good enough to just apply by hand?

Brett

Use your hand. Once you botch a few, it becomes natural and easy. @Saoliver can back me. I now can do like 4 racks an hour.

Scott can do about 3 barrels an hour. Pathetic.

 

[Saoliver]

Use your hand. Once you botch a few, it becomes natural and easy. @Saoliver can back me. I now can do like 4 racks an hour.

Scott can do about 3 barrels an hour. Pathetic.

 

[Josh Kifer]

 

[JackJack]

Use your hand

 

[Wifey]

In theory tits sounds like a good idea, not sure if the alcohol would be too harsh of a solvent for the ink of the label. @Wifey might have some insight.

has anyone ever tried a drop of rubbing alcohol on the inlay

We haven't. We wouldn't be worried about how the ink holds up If the label is laminated...BUT

Obviously running the adhesive is the concern.

This is your real worry. In some instances I use alcohol to soften/change the adhesive so it's easier to remove.

Gear has a lot of practice at this.
We wrote down his steps and his tools and put them on our website's FAQ. <link>

 

[TheBigTater]

I guess I've had way too much experience placing labels, I just use my hands and eyeball it, and on the rare occasion I misapply I keep an Xacto knife handy to slip under the label, lift it off and reapply. I'd say my error rate/wastage is less than one label per 100-200, very few if ever. You can tell when the alignment is not right before you get the label fully applied.

When i first started I tried to use a small blade or something else as an appliance and it just got in the way and slowed down the process.

 

[doublebooyah85]

it’s super easy just to use your hands and goes very quick.

 

[MC_CPA]

What is wrong with eyeballing it, the ones I do look fine. Is there a way to tell how poorly I applied mine

 

[KHarp1]

What is wrong with eyeballing it, the ones I do look fine. Is there a way to tell how poorly I applied mine

Absolutely! I just assume, after years of marriage (ex) that I'm wrong, that whatever I've done looks like crap, and, that any moron could have done a better job!