Traffolyte or Stainless Steel Labels: Which Should You Use?
The short answer: use engraved traffolyte for indoor and sheltered labels where colour coding matters, such as switchboards, control panels and door signs. Use laser engraved 316 stainless steel where the label faces heat, chemicals, weather, washdown or rough handling, or simply has to last as long as the equipment.
When traffolyte is the right choice
- Colour coding: white on red for emergency stops, black on yellow for warnings, white on blue or green, plus tricolour options. Stainless can be paint filled, but traffolyte gives bold colour across the whole label.
- Switchboards and control panels: it's the standard for distribution boards, push buttons and panel legends. See our switchboard labels.
- Stick-on fitting: labels come with 3M foam tape rated for high temperatures and extreme conditions, so they go straight onto a panel. Screw holes are available too.
- Outdoor use is fine: the Rowmark materials we use are UV stable and rated for exterior use.
When stainless steel is the right choice
- Harsh or corrosive places: outdoors, near the coast, on mobile plant, in washdown areas or near chemicals. 316 marine grade stainless resists corrosion, and the fibre laser marks the metal itself, so there's no ink or paint to peel, fade or wash off.
- Plates that must last as long as the machine: compliance plates, data plates, valve tags and cable markers.
- Detail and shape: a fibre laser can engrave fine diagrams, logos, barcodes and QR codes, and cut plates to nearly any shape up to 1200 x 900mm.
- Rigid tags: we usually use 1.5mm 316 stainless, so tags stay flat and don't snap.
Still not sure?
Tell us where the label is going, how it'll be fixed and what it has to survive, and we'll recommend the material, thickness and fixing. Need something lighter with sharp contrast? Black anodised aluminium sits between the two: silver-white text on a black plate.
Most traffolyte and stainless orders are made within 24 hours of proof approval.
Questions we often get
Is traffolyte OK outdoors?
Yes. The Rowmark materials we use are UV stable and rated for exterior use. In harsh, chemical or coastal spots, 316 stainless is the safer choice.
Can stainless labels be coloured?
Yes. Engraving can be paint filled in a range of colours, but plain laser-marked black is the most durable outdoors.
Can you match our existing labels?
Yes. Send a photo or an old label plus your schedule of wording and we'll match the colours, sizes and layout.
Ready to talk about your job? Send us the details below, call 02 4030 5878 or email office@planetengraving.net.
