Tool to apply labels (1 Viewer)

[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.