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Anodised aluminium · Stainless steel · Made in Nairobi

Metallic barcode labels in Kenya

Metal barcode labels manufactured locally, not imported. Anodised aluminium and stainless steel, rated -40°C to +120°C, with the barcode printed into the surface rather than onto it. From KSh 50 per label excluding VAT.

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7 years in business500,000+ assets tagged95+ organisations
Anodised aluminium and stainless steel metallic barcode labels made in Nairobi

Metallic barcode labels, also called metal barcode labels, metal asset labels, aluminium nameplates or foil asset tags, are what you specify when a printed label will not survive the environment.

The distinction is not cosmetic. On a paper or polyester label the barcode sits on the surface, held there by a laminate. Abrasion, solvent, UV and heat all attack that laminate, and when it goes the barcode goes with it. On an anodised aluminium label the image is formed within the anodised layer and sealed into the metal. There is no surface layer to wear away, which is why a metal label still scans after nine years outdoors while a printed one has faded past recognition in eighteen months.

Until recently, Kenyan organisations specifying metal barcode labels were importing them, from Avery, Brady or Chinese suppliers, with eight to twelve week lead times, minimum order quantities in the thousands, and no recourse when the artwork came back wrong. We manufacture them in Nairobi, Kenya. Same-day production up to 200 labels, minimum order 100.

Already settled on anodised aluminium? See our aluminium barcode asset tags. Still choosing a material for a barcode? Compare barcode asset tags across every material.

Technical specification

PropertyAnodised aluminiumStainless steel
Thickness0.5 mm (0.3 and 0.8 mm on request)On specification
FinishBrushed, satin or mirrorBrushed
ColoursSilver, white, goldNatural steel
Marking methodPrinted into the anodised layer and sealedLaser marked or chemically etched
Operating temperature-40°C to +120°C (-40°F to +248°F)Higher, on specification
Chemical resistanceGood resistance to water, oils, common solvents and many industrial chemicals; varies with concentration and exposure durationResistant to aggressive chemicals and caustic cleaning
Expected outdoor life9+ years, subject to UV, chemicals, surface and adhesive systemDecades
Standard sizes39 × 13, 50 × 20, 50 × 30, 35 × 35, 60 × 30 mmOn specification
Maximum size300 × 200 mmOn specification
SymbologiesCode 128, Code 39, QR Code, Data MatrixCode 128, Code 39, Data Matrix
FixingSelf-adhesive, acetone-activated, or pre-punched for rivetingRiveting, bolting or welding recommended
Minimum order100 piecesHigher, confirmed on quotation

Metallic labels versus printed labels

Metal (anodised aluminium)Printed polyesterThermal / office-printed
Barcode locationWithin the anodised layerUnder a laminateOn the surface
Outdoor life9+ years1–2 years before fadingMonths
UV resistanceExcellentModeratePoor
Solvent resistanceGoodModerateNone
AbrasionExcellentModeratePoor
Cost per labelFrom KSh 50From KSh 35Lowest
Right forOutdoor, industrial, long-life, audited assetsIndoor office and ITTemporary identification only

We will say the unhelpful-sounding thing: if your assets are indoor office furniture and computers in an air-conditioned building, you do not need metal labels. Polyester at KSh 35 will do the job for the life of the asset and save you a third of the budget. Metal earns its premium outdoors, in industry, and anywhere the label has to still be there at the next audit.

Where metallic barcode labels are specified

Plant and machinery, compressors, generators, pumps, boilers, conveyors. Oil film, vibration and heat defeat adhesive labels. Specify aluminium with acetone-activated bonding, or pre-punched for riveting.

Outdoor and field equipment, water pumps, solar installations, telecoms cabinets, agricultural machinery. UV is the enemy and only metal survives it.

Vehicles and fleet, chassis plates, engine bay identification, trailer and tanker marking.

Laboratory and medical equipment, resistant to the solvents and disinfectants used in daily cleaning, and non-porous for infection control.

Marine and coastal, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu. Salt air is corrosive; specify stainless steel or anodised aluminium with permanent bonding.

Electrical and switchgear, rating plates, circuit identification, panel labelling where a printed label would be a fire-load concern.

Assets under audit, anything where the identifier must survive until the auditor asks for it.

Fixing a metal label correctly

A metal label is only as good as its attachment, and this is where most installations fail.

Self-adhesive suits clean, smooth, flat surfaces indoors and in sheltered positions. Surface preparation is everything, any oil, dust or polish compromises the bond.

Acetone-activated is our recommendation for anything that matters. The adhesive stays inert until wiped with acetone at the moment of application, then bonds into the surface and cures permanently. It cannot be removed intact. One honest warning: acetone can damage some painted, lacquered and plastic finishes, so always test on an inconspicuous area first. We include test tags in every order for exactly that reason.

Riveting is the only reliable method on oily, textured, vibrating or wash-down equipment. We punch to your fastener size and can supply rivets and a rivet gun.

Published prices

Aluminium Barcode Asset Tags

From KSh 50 excl. VAT per tag

Compact · 39 × 13 mm · anchor price
Dimensions
39 × 13 mm
Best used for
Compact, laptops, small electronics, instruments
Price per tag
KSh 50 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 5,000 excl. VAT
Standard · 50 × 20 mm
Dimensions
50 × 20 mm
Best used for
Most popular, general fixed assets
Price per tag
KSh 80 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 8,000 excl. VAT
Large · 50 × 30 mm
Dimensions
50 × 30 mm
Best used for
Larger barcode, easier scanning at distance
Price per tag
KSh 120 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 12,000 excl. VAT
Square · 35 × 35 mm
Dimensions
35 × 35 mm
Best used for
Square, best for QR codes
Price per tag
KSh 100 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 10,000 excl. VAT
Maximum · 60 × 30 mm
Dimensions
60 × 30 mm
Best used for
Maximum data, logo and text
Price per tag
KSh 145 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 14,500 excl. VAT

How we price this tag

Our 39 × 13 mm tag is a fixed price of KSh 50. Every larger size, including custom sizes, is priced at KSh 8.00 per cm² of tag face and rounded to the nearest KSh 5. That means you can work out the price of any size yourself before you contact us, which is exactly the point.

Configure and price aluminium barcode asset tags

Aluminium QR Code Asset Tags

From KSh 55 excl. VAT per tag

Compact · 39 × 13 mm · anchor price
Dimensions
39 × 13 mm
Best used for
Compact, laptops, small electronics, instruments
Price per tag
KSh 55 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 5,500 excl. VAT
Standard · 50 × 20 mm
Dimensions
50 × 20 mm
Best used for
Most popular, general fixed assets
Price per tag
KSh 85 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 8,500 excl. VAT
Large · 50 × 30 mm
Dimensions
50 × 30 mm
Best used for
Larger barcode, easier scanning at distance
Price per tag
KSh 130 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 13,000 excl. VAT
Square · 35 × 35 mm
Dimensions
35 × 35 mm
Best used for
Square, best for QR codes
Price per tag
KSh 105 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 10,500 excl. VAT
Maximum · 60 × 30 mm
Dimensions
60 × 30 mm
Best used for
Maximum data, logo and text
Price per tag
KSh 155 excl. VAT
100 tags
KSh 15,500 excl. VAT

How we price this tag

Our 39 × 13 mm tag is a fixed price of KSh 55. Every larger size, including custom sizes, is priced at KSh 8.60 per cm² of tag face and rounded to the nearest KSh 5. That means you can work out the price of any size yourself before you contact us, which is exactly the point.

Configure and price aluminium qr code asset tags
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Metallic barcode labels start at KSh 50 excluding VAT for the 39 × 13 mm anodised aluminium size. Larger sizes are priced by area at KSh 8.00 per cm² and rounded to the nearest KSh 5, so you can calculate any custom size yourself before contacting us. Stainless steel is quoted on specification.

Writing a tender? Use our ready-to-paste asset tag specification.

Buyer questions

Metallic barcode label questions

A barcode label made from metal, usually anodised aluminium, sometimes stainless steel, where the barcode is formed within the metal surface rather than printed on top. It is specified where a paper or polyester label would fade, peel or abrade away: outdoors, in industry, on plant, and on any asset with a long service life.

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