I got around to putting labels on my iris collection this fall. I just recently noticed that just about all of the labels have SEVERELY faded. I was under the impression that these labels were able to stand the test of time, not must a couple of months. Are others having issues or have other suggestions?

Dog tags/round you can get them stamped in the metal pre_numbered/ thin metal labels you can write on are chewed up by animals overtime. Setup a database to keep more information. They can be glued with thick super glues, epoxy or tied on to whatever your choice of stake, that can offer permanence. Forget hard and softwood stakes. Bamboo stakes for wiring them on work pretty well. A brick can be used if you designate larger areas of a type. They are on amazon. These will last for decades. If you use screws to fasten them. Buy brass or stainless, makes recovery of the tags easier later.

What kind of labels were you using? Were they outside use ones?

Richard ~ Did you buy the Brother labels that came with your labelmaker? Mine are not fading a bit.

Neither are mine. Even those from 3 years ago. My only complaint with the
Brother set-up is that the tapes sometimes jam in the machine.

I had an old Brother labelmaker that turned out to not be able to take the new fade-resistant tape. I had to buy a new model lof Brother labelmaker in order to be able to use the new tape. The old tape faded badly. The new tape labels made last summer have not faded at all. Such a difference!

the for the input.

I bought a Brother p-touch at the local BIG BOX STORE and have also purchased the label cartridges
from them, as well. I remember the package listed that the labels were weather proof. Not sure what is going on, but the labels have faded severely. some have faded away. Is there a particular SKU# that I should look for? I like the engraved idea, it's just too expensive to implement. I did purchased the premade labels from Crafton Hills for my order there.

You need the UV resistant laminated TZe tapes, I have had mine going on for 4-5 years, full sun, lots of snow, no perceptible fade at this point.

Yes, "weatherproof" means waterproof but not necessarily UV/fade resistant. That terminology is possibly intentionally misleading in order to get the old tape sold. Check the label on the tape roll and make sure it's TZe tape. My old P Touch labeler used only the M tape, which faded badly. It could not take the TZe tape. I had to buy the newer Brother P touch PTH110 in order to be able to use the fade resistant TZe tape.

I had the same issue with faded labels, then I realized that I needed to order the UV resistant tape. I haven't had an issue since and they have been out there for a couple years now.