Aluminium Asset Tags Printing in Kenya

Aluminium asset tags (also called aluminum asset tags or metal asset tags) are the most durable way to label equipment, furniture and vehicles. We print anodized aluminium asset tags in our Nairobi workshop with your logo, a unique asset number and a barcode or QR code, then supply them ready to apply or fix them on site for you.

Because the print is sealed inside the aluminium rather than sitting on top of it, the tags resist scratches, cleaning chemicals, heat and sunlight, so the number your auditor scans in five years is the same one you printed today.

How anodized aluminium asset tags are made

Anodizing grows a hard, porous oxide layer on the surface of the aluminium. The image, your logo, text, numbers and barcode, is printed into that layer and the pores are then sealed. The result is a tag where the graphics are part of the metal. It is the same reason anodized aluminium is used for nameplates on industrial machinery.

Read more in the components of an aluminium asset tag and why aluminium tags last longer.

What we can print on your tags

• Logo and company name in one or more colours.
• Sequential asset numbers in any format, e.g. ABC/ICT/000123, matched to your register.
• Barcodes (commonly Code 128 or Code 39) or QR codes that link to an asset record.
• Short messages such as "Property of…", "Do not remove" or a phone number for returns.
• Colour coding by department, site or asset class.

Tag options

Where aluminium asset tags work best

Use aluminium wherever a paper or plastic label would fade, peel or be scratched off: office furniture, workshop equipment, generators, vehicles, medical devices, lab equipment, school property and anything kept outdoors or cleaned often. For lower-risk indoor IT equipment on a tight budget, polyester labels can be a good complement.

Compare materials in our aluminium vs other materials guide.

Aluminium thickness and sizes

Most asset tags are made from thin, flexible aluminium that follows slightly curved surfaces while staying rigid enough to resist bending. Thicker aluminium is used for plates that are riveted or screwed onto machinery. We print every tag type in eight standard sizes. 39 x 13 mm is our standard and recommended size: it fits laptops and most equipment while leaving room for a readable number and a clear barcode. Larger sizes suit furniture, machinery and assets scanned from a distance.

Adhesive choices for aluminium tags

• Acetone-activated adhesive, permanent bond on furniture, painted metal and textured surfaces.
• Self-adhesive (peel and stick), fast application on smooth items like laptops and monitors.
• Rivet or screw holes, mechanical fixing for vehicles, generators and outdoor equipment.

Aluminium asset tags vs stickers

Industries that use our aluminium asset tags

Government ministries and county governments, universities, schools and colleges, hospitals and laboratories, banks and insurance companies, NGOs and donor-funded projects, hotels, manufacturers, construction and logistics firms. The same tag design can be used across every branch, so assets moved between sites remain identifiable.

Why buy from a Nairobi manufacturer

Because we print locally, you get shorter lead times than importing, free design proofs, quick reprints of damaged or missing numbers, and support from the team that made the tags. We deliver across Kenya, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and every county, and ship to clients across Africa. See our samples or learn about types of aluminium asset tags.

How to apply aluminium asset tags correctly

1. Choose a flat, visible spot in the same position on similar items.
2. Clean off dust, grease and old labels, then let the surface dry.
3. For acetone-activated tags, activate the adhesive; for self-adhesive tags, peel the liner.
4. Press firmly across the whole tag for several seconds.
5. Scan the tag and record it against the asset in your register.

Prefer not to do it yourself? Our team can verify and tag everything through our fixed asset tagging service.

Writing a specification for aluminium asset tags

Public bodies, donors and auditors often ask for tags to a stated specification. A clear one also makes quotes easy to compare. Set out:

• the material and finish (anodized aluminium, matt silver is the easiest to scan);
• the size, from our eight standard sizes, or a custom size;
• the code: barcode format, QR code or number only, and the number range;
• the fixing method: acetone-activated adhesive, self-adhesive, or rivet or screw holes;
• the logo and wording, and the artwork format you will send;
• where the tags will be used: indoors, outdoors, near heat, chemicals or frequent cleaning.

Send that list and we can quote against it. If you only have part of it, we will ask the rest and recommend a tag.

Why asset tags fail, and how to avoid it

Aluminium itself rarely fails. Most problems come from the way a tag is chosen or applied.

• Dirty or oily surface. The tag lifts at the edges. Clean and dry the surface first, and press the whole tag down.
• Wrong adhesive for the surface. Smooth plastic suits self-adhesive tags; painted metal, textured plastic and furniture suit acetone-activated tags; vehicles and outdoor plant suit rivets or screws.
• A number that is too small to scan. If staff scan from a distance, choose a larger size so the code stays readable.
• Reused or duplicated numbers. Two assets with one number makes the register unreliable. Retire a number when the asset is disposed of.
• No register behind the tag. A tag only helps if its number leads to a record. See the asset tagging process.

Anodizing also protects the metal. Aluminium does not rust the way steel does, and the sealed anodic layer resists scratches and cleaning. See how long aluminium asset tags last.

Ordering aluminium asset tags

1. Send your logo, the number of tags and the number format you want.
2. We recommend size, finish and adhesive for your assets.
3. You approve a free digital proof.
4. We produce and check the tags in sequence.
5. We deliver across Kenya or ship to your country, or tag the assets for you through our fixed asset tagging service.

For guidance on cost, see asset tags price in Kenya. For design ideas, read how to design custom aluminium asset tags.

Numbers and codes can come straight from VexCloud AMS.

Not sure which tag you need? Start with asset tags in Kenya: types, sizes and how to choose.

Aluminium asset tag prices

Aluminium asset tags in Kenya start from KSh 60 per tag, with bulk discounts for larger quantities. The standard 39 x 13 mm tag is the most economical size. Polyester labels start from KSh 35 per tag. See what affects asset tag prices, or request a quote by WhatsApp or email for the exact cost of your order.