The Importance of Faceplate Labels

A faceplate (or wall plate) is the covering of the front of an electrical device, outlet or light switch.

The reason to have a face plate is to protect the inside connections from outside influences. With a plate over the outlet, it must be identified as to what it contains. This is where labeling comes in.

There are a number of ways to print faceplate labels with desktop and portable label printers.

Identifying outlets is important for making modifications or troubleshooting a problem. Your outlet box may contain coaxial, cat 5 or fiber-optic cable that is used for television, telephone, video, audio, or broadband network connections.

If you require an outlet activated or have a problem with an existing outlet you’ll need to have the faceplate number when you call the help desk. Each connection may have its own number or one number that covers all the connections. This is why each faceplate or outlet number is unique.

If faceplates are missing the label or the label is damaged or difficult to read, it becomes difficult for the user to properly identify the outlet, and for support to repair the problem.

Cleaning staff may use commercial cleaners to wipe down the faceplates. This cleaning may, over time, remove the legend from the label or the corner of the label may be lifted. Once the label corner is lifted, the label will be more susceptible to removal. With the label missing or damaged, identification for repair becomes more difficult. Labels with a vinyl or poly coating will withstand repeated cleanings. Some printers have a device built in to trim the corners of the label making them much more resistant to corner peeling.

If the faceplate is in a common area, the label may be more subject to removal or even replaced with a label with incorrect information. Specialty label material is available that resembles a standard adhesive machine generated label, but leaves a pattern on the surface if they are removed. If this label is reapplied, the label will not adhere and will be an indicator that tampering may have occurred.

Faceplate labels can be printed by a variety of printers, depending on how many labels required for installation and how fast you need them. Installers may prefer to use a portable printer and print and install labels as they work through a job. Others may have the labels printed in a long continuous strip. Modern printers have the option to print and cut one label at a time; print a continuous strip of labels with the label cut between the legends but the backing is left intact. Printers can be set up to print repeats, sequences and barcodes depending upon the job requirement.

Give us a call or an email for help on choosing the right printer, material, and method for printing your faceplates.