Self-Adhesive Asset Labels Kenya: Reliable Tagging Made Simple

Self-adhesive asset labels are the quickest way to tag assets, but they only last if the surface suits them. This guide goes through the surfaces you will meet in a typical Kenyan office, school, hospital or workshop, where peel-and-stick labels hold well, where they struggle, and what to use instead. For products see self-adhesive asset tags.

Why surface matters

A pressure-sensitive adhesive bonds by flowing into the surface under pressure. Smooth, clean, high-energy surfaces such as metal and glass give it plenty of contact. Textured, dusty, oily or "low-energy" plastic surfaces give it very little, so the label lifts at the edges within months.

Surface-by-surface guide

How to tell if a plastic will hold a label

Press a spare label onto a hidden spot, leave it for a day, then try to lift a corner. If it peels off cleanly and easily, choose a different fixing. Hard, glossy plastics usually pass; soft, slightly waxy plastics usually fail.

Preparation makes the difference

1. Clean with isopropyl alcohol to remove hand oils and dust.
2. Let the surface dry completely.
3. Apply at room temperature, not on cold or damp surfaces.
4. Press firmly over the whole label, not just the centre.
5. Avoid handling the label area for the first day.

Placement tips

• Choose flat areas; avoid curves, edges and seams.
• Keep away from vents, heat sources and areas cleaned with strong solvents.
• Use the same position on similar assets so auditors find tags quickly.
• On laptops, avoid the base near rubber feet where labels get scraped.

Mixing fixing methods in one project

Most organisations use self-adhesive labels for IT equipment and switch to acetone-activated or riveted tags for furniture, workshop equipment and vehicles. All can share the same design and number series. Our tagging team chooses the right method for each asset on site.