Design guide
Engraved labels and tags are cut from layered plastic (traffolyte), ABS, polycarbonate or metal. Text and graphics are physically removed to expose a contrasting layer underneath. Follow these guidelines to prepare artwork that engraves cleanly, stays readable and matches your material choice.
Engraving removes material with a laser or rotary cutter. Unlike printing, there is no ink — contrast comes from exposing a different coloured layer beneath the surface. That makes engraved labels extremely durable, but it also limits colour combinations and fine detail.
Plastic Tags manufactures engraved switchboard labels, valve tags, cable markers, asset tags and stainless identification plates for Australian industrial, electrical, mining and solar applications.
Key principle
Design for legibility at the finished size. What looks fine on screen at 400% zoom may be too fine once cut at 20 mm × 60 mm on a switchboard.
Most engraved orders are produced from artwork created in our online design tool. If you supply vector artwork for custom production runs, use these specifications:
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Preferred format | PDF (vector), AI, EPS or SVG |
| Artwork scale | 1:1 at final label dimensions (mm) |
| Colour mode | Spot or solid fills only — no gradients, photos or halftones |
| Outlines | Convert text to outlines / paths |
| Layers | Flatten to a single cut/engrave layer |
| Stroke alignment | Centre-aligned strokes on closed paths |
Engraving is a subtractive process. Every filled area becomes engraved (removed) material. Leave unfilled areas as the top surface colour of your chosen material.
Avoid these common issues
Sans-serif fonts with open counters engrave most reliably. Arial, Helvetica, Arial Narrow and similar industrial typefaces perform well on small switchboard and panel labels.
| Application | Minimum cap height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard / panel labels | 2.5 mm | Use bold or medium weight where possible |
| Valve tags and cable markers | 3 mm | Allow extra clearance on curved surfaces |
| Asset tags (outdoor) | 4 mm | Prioritise readability over density |
| Serial numbers / barcodes | 3 mm | Confirm barcode type with us before ordering |
Avoid ultra-light font weights, condensed faces below 2 mm cap height, and decorative scripts. If you need dense information on a small label, consider a two-line layout or a larger tag size rather than reducing text below readable limits.
Laser and rotary engraving have practical minimum widths. Lines thinner than these may not cut cleanly or may break up during handling and installation.
| Element | Minimum width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engraved lines / borders | 0.3 mm | 0.5 mm preferred on traffolyte 1.6 mm |
| Spacing between engraved areas | 0.5 mm | Prevents thin bridges breaking off |
| Small symbols (earth, warning) | 5 mm overall | Simplify detail inside the symbol |
| Cut outline (label perimeter) | Material dependent | Standard radii applied in our tooling |
Islands of material — such as the centre of an “O”, “A” or “B” — need sufficient bridge width to stay attached. If a character closes up at small sizes, increase text size or choose a more open typeface.
Many engraved tags are fixed with screws, rivets or cable ties. Hole placement affects tag strength and readability.
Switchboard labels
Adhesive-backed engraved labels typically do not require mounting holes. For outdoor panels and metal enclosures, mechanical fixing is often preferred — see our installation guide.
Material choice affects contrast, thickness, outdoor performance and the level of detail you can achieve.
| Material | Typical thickness | Best for | Design notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffolyte (layered ABS) | 1.6 mm, 3 mm | Switchboards, valve tags, cable markers | Two-layer contrast; wide colour range; excellent indoor/outdoor durability |
| UV-stable ABS | 1.6 mm | Outdoor asset tags | Single-colour engraving; specify UV grade for long exposure |
| Polycarbonate | 1.6 mm | Industrial panels, harsh environments | High impact resistance; good for larger tags |
| Stainless steel | 0.5–1.5 mm | Permanent asset ID, marine, mining | Marking depth limited; prefer bold text and simple graphics |
| Anodised aluminium | 1.6 mm | Control panels, datacentre assets | Contrasting mark on coloured anodise; no layered colour |
Not sure which material suits your environment? See our guides on Material Information and engraved vs printed labels.
Before you order
Engraving exposes a single contrasting layer — it cannot reproduce full-colour artwork. For logos with multiple colours or photographic detail, consider printed labels or a simplified single-colour version for engraving.
Yes, for custom production. Ensure units are millimetres, paths are closed where required, and text is converted to outlines. Contact us if you are unsure about file suitability.
Practical minimums depend on text content and material. Very small tags (under 15 mm wide) need simplified artwork and larger relative text. Our online tool shows live dimensions as you design.
Yes. Orders through our design tool include instant proofing. For custom runs or bulk switchboard schedules, contact us with your file and we will confirm feasibility before cutting.
Create switchboard labels, valve tags and cable markers online with instant proofing and fast Australian production.
