Clearly Identified. Forever. Why Laser-Printed Connectwell Marker Tags Beat Handwriting, Stickers, Thermal Ribbon and Plotter Systems

Murray Greenhill | Joint Managing Director, Technical | Charter Controls

Terminal identification is one of those details that says a lot about the finished panel.

When tags are handwritten, labelled with stickers, or produced using thermal ribbon or plotter-based systems, the result can be inconsistent, time-consuming, and less durable than it needs to be. Tags can smudge. Stickers can lift. Print quality can vary. Consumables need replacing. And over time, the panel can start to look less professional than it did on the day it left the workshop.

That is exactly why we are now offering an in-house laser printing service for Connectwell DIN rail terminal marker tags.

It gives customers a better way to achieve permanent, professional terminal identification. If you want us to do the printing for you, we can. If you want to bring the process in-house, we can also supply the printer on purchase, rental or lease terms.

Why laser-printed marker tags are a better option

Laser-printed marker tags solve several common problems at once.

First, they are clear and consistent. Every tag is easy to read, neatly presented and uniform across the panel.

Second, they are durable. The tag marking is designed to last, which matters in real workshop and site conditions where labels are handled, inspected and exposed to normal wear over time.

Third, they improve the finished appearance of the panel. A professionally marked terminal strip is easier to follow, easier to maintain and more confidence-inspiring for the person receiving or servicing the equipment.

For panel builders and control engineers, that matters. Good identification is not just about appearance. It supports accuracy, traceability and easier fault-finding later on.

Laser-printed tags vs handwriting and sticker labels

Handwriting is still common because it is simple and immediate. But it is rarely the best long-term answer.

Handwritten tags can vary from one person to another, from one panel to the next, and even across the same terminal strip. That inconsistency can make identification harder to read and less professional in the finished build.

Sticker labels can improve neatness, but they bring their own problems. They can peel, lift, mark or deteriorate, particularly in environments where equipment is handled regularly or exposed to heat, dust and general wear.

Laser-printed marker tags offer a much cleaner and more permanent solution. They look better on day one, and they keep looking better over the life of the panel.

Laser-printed tags vs thermal ribbon and plotter systems

Thermal ribbon and plotter systems have been used for years and can certainly produce usable results, but they come with ongoing consumable requirements and more variables in the process.

Ribbons need replacing. Consumables have a cost. Print quality can be affected by setup, wear, handling and material condition. Over time, some printed surfaces can lose the crispness and permanence that customers increasingly expect.

Laser printing takes a different approach. It removes the dependence on ribbons and similar consumables, reduces process interruption, and provides a sharper, more durable finish for terminal identification.

For many customers, that means less fuss, fewer compromises and a better result.

Standard pre-printed templates and custom tags

Not every customer needs a fully bespoke print run every time.

A large proportion of terminal identification follows common, repeatable patterns. Three-phase supply, motor connections, protective earth, DC circuits, and sequential numbering are all familiar examples. That is why we offer a selection of standard pre-printed templates for Connectwell marker tags, ready for the applications most panel builders see every day.

At the same time, not every job is standard.

Where a customer needs something specific, we can also produce custom tags to suit the exact terminal identification required. That gives you the flexibility to standardise where it makes sense, while still handling bespoke panels or customer-specific schedules without compromise.

We can print the tags for you

If you want the finished tags ready to fit, our in-house laser printing service is the simplest route.

We print the tags here at Charter Controls using the Connectwell CLM011 laser marking machine. That means you can order the tag format you need, choose from our standard templates or request custom printing, and receive ready-to-use tags without having to invest in printing equipment yourself.

For lower-volume requirements, occasional bespoke jobs, site work, or customers who simply want convenience, this is often the most practical option.

Or you can print your own in-house

For some businesses, outsourcing is not the best fit.

If you regularly build bespoke panels, frequently need custom terminal identification, or want full control of the marking process in your own workshop, printing in-house may make more sense.

That is why we also supply the Connectwell laser printer itself. Customers can purchase, rent or lease a machine from us depending on the volume of work and the level of flexibility they want.

This gives you a clear choice. Use our in-house service when that suits you best, or bring the capability into your own business when the numbers justify it.

Which option is right for your business?

The honest answer is that it depends on how you work.

If your requirements are fairly regular, based around common terminal patterns, or you simply want the easiest route to a professional result, having Charter Controls print the tags for you is likely to be the right answer.

If your workshop produces frequent bespoke builds, varied tag schedules, or high volumes of custom identification, owning or leasing a printer can be a better long-term investment.

That is the real advantage of this offer. You do not have to force your process into one model. We can support either approach.

Connectwell compatibility and available tag formats

Our laser-printed marker tags are available across the Connectwell MC card sizes and are suitable for use with Connectwell CP series push-in terminals and CY series screw-in terminals.

That means customers can choose the marker card format that matches their terminal size and identification requirements, while keeping the same professional standard across the panel build.

Whether you need a standard template for a repeat application or custom tags for a one-off project, we can help you get the right result in the right format.

Talk to Charter Controls about laser-printed Connectwell marker tags

If you want a cleaner, more durable and more professional way to identify terminals, laser-printed Connectwell marker tags are worth serious consideration.

We can supply standard pre-printed templates, produce custom tags to your requirements, or help you bring the process in-house with printer purchase, rental or lease options.

To discuss your application, visit our contact page or call Charter Controls on 01424 850660.

Frequently asked questions

Why are laser-printed Connectwell marker tags better than handwritten tags or sticker labels?

They are clearer, more consistent and more durable. They also give the finished panel a more professional appearance and are far less likely to smudge, peel or wear over time.

How do laser-printed tags compare with thermal ribbon and plotter systems?

Laser printing avoids the ribbons and related consumables used in thermal ribbon and plotter systems, reducing interruptions and helping maintain a more permanent, professional result.

Can I order standard templates as well as custom tags?

Yes. We offer a range of standard pre-printed templates for common terminal identification patterns, and we can also produce custom tags to your requirements.

Can Charter Controls print the tags for us?

Yes. We offer an in-house laser printing service, so you can order ready-to-fit Connectwell marker tags without needing to print them yourself.

Can I buy, rent or lease a printer from Charter Controls?

Yes. We can supply the Connectwell laser printer on purchase, rental or lease terms, depending on what suits your business best.

Who is in-house printing best suited to?

It is usually best suited to customers with regular bespoke requirements, higher volumes, or a need to control tag printing directly within their own workshop.

About the author
Murray Greenhill is Joint Managing Director, Technical at Unipower (UK) Ltd, trading as Charter Controls. He works closely with panel builders, machine builders and systems integrators across the UK, helping customers choose practical, durable and commercially sensible solutions for control panel components and identification.