How to Select the Right Tag Thickness

There are a wide range of blank tags in various sizes, shapes, materials, and colors. One element that is often not accounted for is the blank tag thickness.

How do you know which thickness to use? It comes down to two factors: the usage application and the process used to mark the information.

The Role of Metal Tags in Industrial, Commercial, and Branding Applications

Blank metal tags have a wide range of applications across industries. They provide clear, durable identification for assets, equipment, and products. They can be used to label machinery in a manufacturing plant, mark inventory in a warehouse, or brand high-end products with a custom logo. These tags ensure traceability, compliance, and visual consistency.

In industrial environments, metal blank tags are commonly used to display critical data such as serial numbers, part specifications, inspection dates, and safety warnings. Commercial operations rely on tag solutions to manage inventory and streamline logistics. Meanwhile, companies focused on branding use tags to enhance product presentation and communicate quality.

Thanks to their versatility and durability, blank metal tags are ideal for environments where paper or plastic labels would wear out or fail. They can be customized in various sizes, shapes, and finishes to meet specific needs, whether for function or aesthetics.

Why Metal Tag Thickness Matters

When selecting blank metal tags, choosing the right material thickness is crucial for long-term performance and functionality. Thickness affects everything from how a tag handles physical stress to how easily it can be marked and read over time.

For instance, tags that are too thin may bend or warp in high-traffic or outdoor environments, reducing legibility and risking detachment. On the other hand, tags that are too thick may be unnecessarily heavy or incompatible with certain mounting methods. Striking the right balance helps ensure that metal blank tags hold up to their intended use without adding cost or complexity.

Thickness also influences the marking process. Thinner tags may be ideal for laser etching or adhesive mounting, while thicker tags are better suited for stamping or engraving. Ultimately, understanding the specific demands of your application helps determine the ideal blank tag thickness, ensuring the tag remains legible, intact, and securely fastened throughout its lifecycle.

Now that you understand why metal thickness matters, it’s important to consider how different applications influence your choice of tag. From rugged industrial use to product branding, each setting places unique demands on your blank tags, making it essential to match tag thickness to the environment and purpose.

Applications

Knowing how your tags will be used is important when determining the right thickness for the metal material. Certain applications call for thicker tags, while some are only compatible with the thinnest of metal substrates.

Some applications are more lenient as well. For example, if the tags are going to be riveted to a piece of machinery, thickness will not be as important as if they are being hung from a pipe.

If you are concerned with the tags being bent, you may want to go with a thicker material such as .025” (24 gauge) stainless or .032” (20 gauge) aluminum. This will ensure that your tags will stay firm even when exposed to some duress.

Processes

The marking process you select is also an important part of your decision making process. Different processes work best with different thicknesses.

Embossing Machines

Embossing machines create raised characters by using a male and female stamp. The nature of this process means the blank tag must be fairly thin to make sure the machine leaves clean impressions in the metal.

Stainless steel is the most common material for the tags used in these marking machines. Since the material needs to be pressed, the most common thickness is .016” to .018” thick (26-28 gauge).

While 304 stainless is preferred, some situations may require 316 material.

Aluminum is another popular material often used for embossing machines. As aluminum is a softer substrate, tag thicknesses may go up to .032” (20 gauge).

Any thickness between .016” to .032” (20-26 gauge) will result in a clean impression.

Stamping

The stamping process creates an indentation in the tag using hand stamps, a press, or even automated machines such as dot peen marking machines.

Creating an indentation means a thicker material is highly preferred. This helps ensure the physical force from stamping does not distort the tags.

When using stainless steel, .018” (26 gauge) thickness is typically the minimum thickness. Anything above .025” (24 gauge and up) is going to work best without causing warping to the reverse side of the tags.

Aluminum is also used for stamping as the softer material makes it easier to make a deep impression. When using aluminum you do not typically want to use any material thinner than .032” (20 gauge).

Laser Marking

Laser marking is a pretty straightforward process. A high-powered laser hits the surface of a blank nameplate, creating a small indentation.

This is a surface level marking, meaning any thickness is compatible.

Since this process does not form the metal material, the “best” thickness will depend more on the final usage, and less on the marking itself. This is one benefit to laser marking.

Materials compatible with this process vary drastically based on the specific laser used. Check with the laser manufacturer to know exactly which material are approved.

Wrap-Up

Thickness is an important consideration when selecting the right blanks. The best solution is based on a combination of the final application, and the marking process it proceeds. Knowing the right thickness ahead of time can save you time, money, and plenty of headaches down the road. Contact our team today and our specialists will gladly help you determine the correct thickness of your tags.