Labeling Cables and Wires
February 3, 2026
Choosing the right wire marker or cable label
Cable and wire labeling is critical in the identification, assembly, and repair of electrical control panels, wire harnesses, and data/telecommunications systems. It is an upfront cost that saves time and labor expenses when changes or repairs need to occur to the systems you work on.
After following the appropriate wire color codes, there are several wire markers and cable labels to choose from, including heat-shrink sleeves, wrap-around cable labels, self-laminating labels, flags, and rigid tags.
Here are four key questions to answer that will help you decide what kind of marker or label is best:
- Is there an industry or customer specification that must be met?
- What environment or chemicals will the labels be exposed to?
- Are you marking the wires before or after termination?
- What is the gauge of wire you are marking?
Learn more about selecting the right wire marker for your application.
Choosing the right wire label maker or cable label printer
Determining the best label printer for the job is another key consideration. When choosing the perfect cable or wire label maker for your project, keep these questions in mind:
- Will you be printing your labels before you leave for the job or in the field? If you plan to print your labels in the field, consider investing in a portable device, like the M410 wire label maker.
- How many labels will you need to print each day?
- How wide do you need the labels to be?
- Which label materials do you plan to use?
Bluetooth cable label printers vs. traditional label printers
Portable label printers offer several benefits. When comparing a Bluetooth cable label printer (or Bluetooth wire label printer) like the M211 cable label printer to a traditional portable label printer like the M210 cable label printer, consider the following:
- I prefer to use a phone keyboard instead of a printer keypad: Yes/No
- It’d be easier for me to design, preview, and print labels using an app: Yes/No
- I’d like the ability to import spreadsheet data and save labels: Yes/No
- A printer with a smaller footprint would make my job easier: Yes/No
If you answered yes to any of these questions, a Bluetooth cable label printer may be a better fit for your needs.
Datacom, Telecommunications & Electrical Labeling Examples:
Heat-Shrink Tubing
Ideal for un-terminated wires or cables needing superior abrasion and chemical resistance.
Wrap-Around Labels
Ideal for general marking of terminated or unterminated cables and wires that may be curved or become curved.
Self-Laminating Labels
Ideal for terminated cables or wires that may need additional abrasion or chemical resistance.
Cable Flags
Ideal for getting larger amounts of data on small diameter wire and cables such as fiber optic cables.
Wire Label Makers and Cable Label Printers
M210 Handheld Label Maker
Take on your toughest on-site wire and cable labeling challenges with the M210 Label Printer
M211 Label Printer
Seamlessly design, view and print wire and cable labels right from our industry-leading app.
M410 Handheld Industrial Label Printer
Specifically engineered for premium 1″ printing, the M410 wire and cable label printer is an everyday workhorse for datacom, electrical and lab professionals.
Recommended Wire and Cable Labeling Products
More Information
Related Product
Industrial Label Printers from Brady
Brady is the manufacturer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places. Brady’s products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software. Their industrial label printers are just one example.
