Brady offers a wide variety of materials for use in General Industrial Applications. A Thermal Transfer Material Chart has been developed to assist you on finding the best label material that will adhere to your desired surface.

Use our Material To Surface Cross Reference Guide below to determine the right material for your application. A Material Comparison Chart Based on Surface is also available to assist you with your search.
general industrial applications

Material to Surface Cross Reference Guide

Part Number

Smooth

Textured / Rough
Highly Textured / Low Surface Energy
Permanent
White

YES
(i.e. Steel, Aluminum, Plastic, Glass)

NO



NO

B-407
B-423
B-425
B-433
B-488
Metallized
B-428
B-438
Clear
B-430
Aggressive
White

YES
(i.e. Steel, Aluminum, Plastic, Glass)

YES
(i.e. Textured ABS, Painted Enamel, Cast Metal, Polycarbonate)

NO
B-400
B-422
B-437
B-439
Metallized
B-434
B-435
Clear
B-432
Ultra-Aggressive
White

YES
(i.e. Steel, Aluminum, Plastic, Glass)

YES
(i.e. Textured ABS, Painted Enamel, Cast Metal, Polycarbonate)

YES
(i.e. Powder Coated, Polypropylene Highly Textured & Low Surface Energy ABS)
B-483
B-489
B-499
Metallized
B-486
end table

Thermal Transfer Material Chart
Brady Material #
Application
Special Properties
Max. Service Temp. 'F ('C)
Color Code
Matte White Repositionable Vinyl Cloth (B-400)
Wire and electronic component markingRepositionable rubber based adhesive.
175 (80)
Matte Super Clear Polyolefin (B-407)
General purpose labelingAcrylic based adhesive; UL/CSA
194 (90)
Glossy White Super Permanent Polyester (B-422)
Electronic PCB and Component; bar code label and rating plates2 mil acrylic based adhesive recommended for application on textured surfaces; UL/CSA
248 (120)
Glossy White Permanent Polyester (B-423)
Electronic PCB and Component; bar code label and rating platesAcrylic based adhesive; UL/CSA
248 (120)
Matte White Permanent Polyolefin (B-425)
Bar code label and general labelingExcellent abrasion and smudge resistance; acrylic adhesive; UL/CSA
194 (90)
Matte Metallized Polyester (B-428)
Rating plates; electronic component markingAcrylic based adhesive; UL/CSA
175 (80)
Glossy Clear Permanent Polyester (B-430)
General labeling; rating/name platesTranslucent; acrylic based adhesive; UL/CSA
212 (100)
Rough Surface Glossy Clear Permanent Polyester (B-432)
General labeling; rating/name platesTranslucent; 2 mil acrylic based adhesive recommended for application on textured surfaces; UL/CSA
212 (100)
Glossy White Removable Polyester (B-433)
Electronic component and PCB marking; bar code label and general-purpose IDRemovable acrylic based adhesive;
UL
248 (120)
Rough Surface Glossy Metallized Permanent Polyester (B-434)
Rating plates and general purpose labeling2 mil Acrylic adhesive recommended for application on textured surfaces; UL/CSA
194 (90)
Glossy Metallized Permanent Polyester (B-435)
Rating plates and general purpose labelingDesigned to withstand solvents while maintaining excellent image quality; acrylic adhesive; UL/CSA
212 (100)
Self-Extinguishing Tedlar (B-437)
Aerospace and military cable markingFlame-retardant; available in white or yellow; acrylic adhesive
275 (135)
Matte Metallized Tamper-Evident Polyester (B-438)
Rating plates and general purpose labelingLeaves footprint when removed; acrylic adhesive; UL/CSA
104 (40)
Glossy White Permanent Vinyl (B-439)
Rating plates and general purpose labelingAvailable in 9 colors; acrylic adhesive
104 (40)
Ultra Aggressive Permanent Glossy White Polyester (B-483)
General purpose labelingHighest adhesion product for thermal transfer printing; designed for powder coated surfaces; synthetic rubber adhesive; UL/CSA
212 (100)
Ultra Aggressive Matte Metallized Polyester (B-486)
Rating plates; product and component markingHighest adhesion product for thermal transfer printing, designed for powder coated and highly textured surfaces; synthetic rubber adhesive; UL/CSA
248 (120)
High-Performance Matte White Permanent Polyester (B-488)
Bar code label and rating platesAcrylic adhesive; UL/CSA
248 (120)
Ultra Aggressive Permanent Matte White Polyester (B-489)
General purpose labelingHighest adhesion product for thermal transfer printing; designed for powder coated surfaces; synthetic rubber adhesive
212 (100)
Matte White Nylon Cloth (B-499)
Wire and electronic component markingPermanent acrylic adhesive; UL/CSA
194 (90)
end table

Material Comparison Chart Based on Surface
Smooth
Textured / Rough
Highly Textured / d
Low Surface Energy
Typical surface energy levels for this category are above 50 Dynes/cm.
Typical surface energy levels for this category are between 38 Dynes/cm and 50 Dynes/cm.
Typical surface energy levels for low surface energy products are below 38 Dynes/cm.
SURFACES
SURFACES
SURFACES
Stainless Steel
Copper
Aluminum
Smooth Plastic		Tin
Glass
Smooth Metal		Cast Metal
Nylon
Alkyd Enamel
Polyester
Epoxy Paint		Polyurethane
ABS
Polycarbonate
PVC
Acrylic		Polystyrene
Acetal
Polyethylene
Highly Textured ABS		Polypropylene
Teflon
Powder Coatings
end

A Level 4 or better is recommended for the above surface. This is only a recommendation and the material will depend on your specific surface.
A Level 5 or better is recommended for the above surface. This is only a recommendation and the material will depend on your specific surface.
A Level 7 or better is recommended for the above surface. This is only a recommendation and the material will depend on your specific surface.
Note: B-433 is a permanent yet removable label.

These charts are based on relative adhesion after 24 hour dwell within each given surface energy category.

Adhesion is the attraction between unlike materials. The strength of the adhesion is determined by the surface energy of the item being identified. The higher the surface energy, the greater the likelihood for the label to adhere. A lower surface energy product will be more difficult for a label to adhere.
1 = LOWEST ADHESIVE BOND2 = HIGHEST ADHESIVE BOND