Customer Reviews

Brother Printers 12MM 1/2 TZS231 TZ Industrial Tape

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would rate this group of products at four and a half stars if that were allowed and an easy five stars except for a problem with a small subset of the label tape products discussed below.

I need labels of various sizes and colors for three primary applications, two of which require them to be waterproof and one for which they must be both waterproof and untouched by sunlight for many years. The last application is making permenent labels for use in the garden and orchid greenhouse. I have tried a wide range of things from embossed zinc, stainless steel and copper (all very expensive, slow and difficult to make and only of limited legibility after a year or two) to special purpose pencils "guaranteed" not to fade in the sun nor to wash off in rain, to adhesive paper labels laminated (or sometimes dipped in liquids) to metal label holders with a variety of epoxy and/or polyurethane materials. Other than the first group of metal tags and laminated tags, they all either promptly faded in the sun (everything except pencils), or washed off in the rain and heat (pencils) when used outside, or became illegible when touched with the hands through smudging. The laminated and dipped tags on metal looked great after a year. Then the sunlight caused the plastic to fog and crack. Eventually the plastic and labels would fall off. However, before this, usually after a couple of years, the fogging of the plastic coating rendered the label impossible to read.

I looked all over for something that would work. When visiting the Chelsea Garden Show in London, several years ago, we ran into several British gardeners who swore about Brother labelers for use in gardens, they claimed they were almost eternal under those conditions, if affixed to the right backing (metal, something permanent) and they never faded. My wife purchased a hend held model. When we got home, we forgot we ahd it and never used it. I later noted and commented on the beautiful labels in the garden of some friends who were semi-professional growers of exotic irises. The wife of the couple said that she had used a rather large Brother lable printer since they started the gardens, many years ago, and some of the labels were original.

I immediately ordered a Brother printer that I could hook up to my computer from Amazon.com, and a bunch of different tapes. I made several thousand labels, some with computer graphics on then along with names for quick identification. They have lasted perfectly now for three years, with no evidence they are not new. I recently found the unused hand help unit from England, and will probably use it someday for impromptu labels, but decided this year to buy a new, slightly large one that can handle label tapes from 1/4" to 1", since my eyes are not what they used to be. I use it in the garage, basement, gardens and greenhouse, tool boxes and chests, boat, etc. with almost all the labels typed into one computer or another and printed by plugging the printer into a USB port. I find that a notebook or smaller computer that can be operated on its batteries to be convenient since I can carry it to where the labels are needed and make them on the spot, since the printer can operate off batteries as well as wall power.

The only thing more that I wanted, other than different color letters and backing (which are available) was a tape that would work in extremely adverse conditions and stick to poor surfaces and never let go. They produce a high strength industrial tape with these claimed properties, and I have found that once it is stuck, it stays that way, and you cannot remove it except with a blowtorch or a sharp object like a knife or chisel. The one negative thing I have to say about this specific tape, which does all the things they claim, is that it is very hard to quickly remove the peel-off backing so that it can be attached to whatever you are labeling. This makes me not want to use it, since the regular tape is very easy to use. They need to find some teflon-like backing that sticks to their high strength labeling tapes about the way the backing does to their regular labeling tape. I guess that I want it all, but this type of label is the best product of its kind I have ever tried.

The day care lady said the bottles needed to be labeled, and I balked at shelling out $60 for fancy on-line labels. A little hunting around lead me to this tape. I made up a bunch of labels and stuck them to the bottles, and they've stayed stuck going on three months now. During that time they're regularly immersed in water for hours at a time and spend a couple minutes each day in a steam sterilizer (they do not, though, go through the dishwasher). During this time they have by and large held fast. A couple corners on 2 (out of 12 pieces) have pulled up a tiny bit, but by and large everything is sticking tight.

One thing though: this tape does not have the "crack back" feature. You have to peel off the backing the slow, hard way, and I got so frustrated I nearly threw the whole thing in the trash. My wife was able to get the backing off, though.

Overall this is a great way to save a few bucks for this particular application.

These are great labels as it is two part. It prints on the label in nice dark print then laminates with a clear protective layer. The label comes out printed and laminated. Print can't wipe off. Add to that the extra strength adhesive and you have a winning match. None of the labels I have used over the years have come off. They are still stuck in place. Great labels.

These labels are absolutely wonderful for labeling all your child's school supplies. They stay really on and don't wear away. I have two sons and they haven't lost a label yet! :-)

I use the tape for cable labels mostly. Or other small parts or items. It sticks great and lasts in all temperatures, mostly. But is still easy to remove. Price could be a third less. :-)

The tape works as advertised. The "industrial" aspect seems to have it be sticker on more things, yet still removable without any residue. The industrial designation seems to have it cost a bit more, but even so, I use it as my standard TZ tape.

The peel-off material on the back is a little less easy to remove than what was on the tapes I purchased about 3 years ago. The product has changed slightly, but is still great.

Since my local store was out of stock of Brother labeling tape TZS231, I asked them if they could do a special order. Instead, they gave me the runaround for 20 minutes and were not very nice. I left the store and went home. After I found the tape on Amazon, I had this "major problem" solved in less than two minutes. I received these labels expeditiously at my front door. Now that's service, thank you!

Shipped promptly, as ordered and a good price. What more could you ask?

Perhaps, you could ask for a vendor who cares enough about their reputation to nicely solicit an earned recommendation.

Well, Action Packaged, Inc. you got it.

Good to be able to receive this tape for my Brother P-Touch in the mail and....for a good price!!!