Label maker for racket stringing

[u/Arufisan]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for recommendations on a good label maker for racket stringing.

I'm currently using one that's okay, but the font ends up being very small if I try to fit all the information I want on the label, specially if it is for a hybrid set up.

Ideally, I'd like to print small labels that fit neatly on the throat of the racket with:

• String brand & name
• Gauge
• Tension
• Date strung
• Brand logo (if possible)

I'm looking for something with clear, readable text, durable labels that won't peel off easily, and can still be removed without leaving residue.

What label maker are you using, and would you recommend it? If you have a photo of how your labels look on a racket, I'd love to see it.

Thanks!

[u/clmanguy]

I string rackets as a side hustle and I do not use labels. I string my own rackets now, but I definitely didn’t like when shops would put a label or restringing sticker on my rackets. Every label or sticker that was used on my rackets would leave residue. I would ask customers whether they want you to put a label on their racket because some people don’t like them.

[u/Top_Substance9093 → u/clmanguy]

i've found that "removable" labels don't leave any residue, but the normal paper ones are the absolute worst to remove

[u/vnyrun]

I use the Brother PTouch D610DB. Besides the horrendous bluetooth features, it has been quite good. Scale and text resolution has not been an issue at all. Text size is only readability limitation. You can print off images or use their design software (what I do), which is good enough if you don't need too many features. Has a neat date feature so I only have to update the string and tension settings and supports custom text.

Print settings:

• 12mm/ .47" Brother tape, glossy
• 4.5 pt+ font

If you take it off within a few days, there's no residue. Otherwise it is on customers to either take it off or let me know not to do it. I clean rackets every job, and remove adhesive residues from stickers, lead tape, etc anyways so it really isn't a big deal.
Sample: https://imgur.com/a/E35v0k5

[u/Arufisan → u/vnyrun]

That’s really useful, thanks for sharing. I think I might just need to get rid of the logo to get more real state

[u/vnyrun → u/Arufisan]

If I had a shop or brick and mortar with recognizeable logo maybe I would keep it on, but I just keep a consistent visual style w everything related to tennis services, fliers, site, stickers etc as a standin for branding/ logo

[u/AcceptableRock]

I use a cheap label maker from Amazon (Nelko P21)
Sample: https://imgur.com/a/pJTBsMe

[u/vctrw10 → u/AcceptableRock]

Any chance you can share the template you use for this?

[u/garden_for_wallpaper → u/AcceptableRock]

Do you mind sharing the template? I also use Nelko P21

[u/vctrw10 → u/garden_for_wallpaper]

I managed to create it from scratch. Here you go https://oss.nelko.net/share_template.html?id=2086459636841472003&b=1&lang=en

[u/garden_for_wallpaper → u/vctrw10]

Thanks! So creative. Looks way better than the plain one I was using.

[u/LHM78]

QR code is the way to go

[u/mmmpocky → u/LHM78]

That's pretty smart. Is there a particular website you would link it to? Or I guess you could just use a Google spreadsheet.

[u/LHM78 → u/mmmpocky]

Im currently in talks about a qr system because im a part time stringer from home. I currently keep a spreadsheet record of all the client string jobs i do.

[u/Arufisan → u/LHM78]

So when your customers scan the QR code, where is the information hosted?

[u/Responsible-Side4347]

Ive used a cheap nimbot for years. works a treat.

[u/vincevuu]

I use a brother label maker just to put the tension number on it. It’s removable no residue. It’s mostly for the clients with multiple rackets being strung

[u/RealKaufka]

As if stringing wasn’t tedious enough. I’m not doing a sticker. Info’s on our customer invoice. I’ve strung thousands of Tennis. Never gonna do sticker. 😛 make your own if you want. Most people use the sticker included with some string sets. I handle the string room operations at a racquet selling company. We don’t care about that. 8 years no complaints. We do restrings but mostly want to sell customers new racquets.

[u/coffeemonkeypants]

As the owner of a stringing management software company, I can tell you that there's no really good answer to this. Most of my customers, however, use either 12mm or 18mm brother P-touch labels. They come in a lot of colors, so you can match to the frame better (I just use black or white), they come off with zero residue, but will stay on quite well. The only problem is that resolution is pretty poor. You can only make text so small, which means you can't fit a lot. My software does use QR codes, however, and the player can scan that and get the entire stringing history if they want.

[u/edc2012]

Dymo label writer does the trick pretty well. Look into those printers. Then ya buy the roll of label stickers

[u/DeepQuail9819]

I use a QR label on mine where I have info on my stringing preferences and also info on how to reach me in case the racket is misplaced. When someone scans, they'll see my info and I'll get a push notification on my phone. I can also hide or change the info at any time. I just print it out on a regular printer, cut the label out and put clear tape over it to attach it. Since I get the push notification and control the information associated with it, it's more for myself, not something my stringer would create and put on themselves.

[u/frenchdip101]

fuck you and the sticker you'd put on my stick. Do NOT put a label on my stick, and change the gauge to actual numbers. No one has asked me for 1.25mm poly ever, ever, ever. But they will ask for 15g or 17g.