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Asset Tag Buyer's Guide

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What Are Asset Tags? A Complete Guide

In our at-home lives, we take steps to track, protect and maintain our many assets. Food gets replenished and refrigerated, cars get oil changes on time, and doors stay locked to prevent theft. We know what we own, where things are and how to get the most value out of them – generally, with a lot of intuition and just a little help. But when it comes to asset management on the job, your facilities, products and property require more. Possibly because you shouldn’t do it alone … but probably because you can’t. Assets can be too valuable, too numerous, or both.


That’s where the power of asset tags comes in. Asset labels are one of the most critical components of an asset management system. They’re the front line of identification and the key to unlocking critical information you need to enable better decision-making.


Asset tagging 101: what are asset tags?


Asset tags are physical identifiers, often a label, affixed to an asset that are used to identify, track and maintain – sometimes one of those; sometimes a combination. Asset labels can contain a unique identifier or code, such as a barcode, QR code or RFID tag. These can be read by different types of scanning devices to quickly retrieve a wide range of information about the asset, such as:


  • Location
  • Manufacturing status
  • Purchase date
  • Serial number
  • Scheduled maintenance
  • Repair history

Asset labels are extremely useful for organizations, especially in large or complex environments such as offices, warehouses, hospitals or manufacturing facilities. By using asset tags, organizations can improve their inventory management, reduce loss and theft thanks to tamper-evident features, and streamline their maintenance and repair-or-replace decisions.



For more information: Visit our what's the difference between RFID and barcode asset tags page.

Find the right asset tag with Seton


Asset tags are not always one size fits all. Your industry, assets and needs will determine which kind of asset label is right for you. When you choose Seton, you get your asset tags fast, just the way you want them. That’s because every online order experience gives you the power to fully customize your asset label, and preview your finished asset tag before purchase. Check out our three most popular asset labels and get the right asset tag for the job.


ReadyGuard® Asset Labels

Affordable and reliable

ReadyGuard™ Asset Tags are rugged, yet economical, tags perfect for indoor applications. These tags are suitable for clean environments and are available with sequential numbering or barcodes.

DuraGuard® Asset Tags

Incredible versatility, powerful durability

DuraGuard® Asset Tags provide superior versatility for the widest range of applications. The protective topcoat ensures that the tags can withstand abrasion, handling and even chemicals. Plus, with tamper-evident features, you can be sure that your assets are secure. Choose to print the tags with or without a barcode to fit your company's unique needs.

QuickGuard™ Foil Labels

Flexible for serious surface adhesion

QuickGuard™ Foil Labels are resistant to solvents and contain debossed numbering to prevent numbers from being rubbed off. The flexible foil material ensures that the labels can adhere to many surfaces while withstanding harsh environments, indoors and out. Quick and easy to apply, these labels will keep your assets identified and organized with minimal effort.

SetonGuard® Property ID Plates

Protection in the harshest conditions

SetonGuard® Property ID Plates are designed to withstand chemicals, abrasion and harsh outdoor environments. These plates are perfect for identifying your assets and ensuring that they remain secure. Plus, the specially designed coating ensures that the plates maintain their visibility and readability over time.

Learn more about our asset tag materials


ReadyGuard asset tag logo.
OUR MOST POPULAR OPTION
DuraGuard asset tag logo.
QuickGuard foil label logo. SetonGuard property ID plate logo.
Why Choose This Tag Rugged, lowest cost, tags perfect for indoor applications Superior versatility for the widest range of applications Resistant to solvents and contain debossed numbering to prevent numbers from being rubbed off Designed to withstand chemicals, abrasion and harsh outdoor environments
Material Laminated vinyl or polyester Metalized polyester with over-laminate for extra protection Aluminum material with clear polyester layer Chemically etched anodized aluminum
Durability Moderate Strong Stronger Strongest
Industries General Purposes - Indoor-only use Education, Healthcare, IT, Indoor, Light Outdoor Manufacturing, Transportation, Retail, Communications Healthcare, Labs, OEM, Construction, Manufacturing, Distribution, Education
Applications Low power electronics and office equipment and furnishing IT hardware and test equipment such as laptops, computer peripherals and projectors Computers, electronics, appliances and automotive surfaces Power tools, machinery, industrial and medical equipment
Environment Indoor use only Indoor and light or short-term outdoor use Indoor and Outdoor Withstands extreme outdoor environments and long-term outdoor use (UV and abrasion resistance)
Custom sizes and layouts Pre-sized only Custom sizes and layouts available Custom sizes and layouts available Custom sizes and layouts available
Chemical resistance No Yes Some Yes
Available with barcode Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tamper-evident options No Yes No No
Adheres to curved surfaces No No No Yes
View All ReadyGuard Tags View All DuraGuard Tags View All QuickGuard Tags View All SetonGuard Tags

Asset labels are everywhere you look


Most physical assets that are valuable or critical (or both) to an organization's operations benefit from asset tags. Many different industries deploy asset labels on a wide variety of machines, tools, possessions, products, property and much, much more.


Icon of a computer monitor.
Information Technology (IT):

Computers, laptops, servers, networking equipment and printers

Icon of a heart surrounded by two hands.
Healthcare:

Medical equipment, hospital beds, wheelchairs, IV poles and other medical supplies

Icon of a wrench and screwdriver.
Manufacturing:

Tools, machinery, vehicles and raw materials

Icon of a power plant.
Petrochemical:

Tanks, pumps and safety gear

Icon of an excavator.
Construction:

Heavy equipment, power tools, scaffolding and safety gear

Icon of a graduation hat.
Education:

Classroom equipment such as projectors, whiteboards, desks and chairs

Icon of an electronic device.
Retail:

High-value inventory such as jewelry, electronics and clothing

Icon of a cargo truck.
Warehousing, Logistics & Transportation:

Vehicles, trailers, shipping containers and cargo

Icon of a couch.
Hospitality:

Furnishings, fixtures and appliances

Icon of a police hat.
Government:

Office equipment, firearms, vehicles and emergency response gear

Icon of a windmill.
Energy:

Generators, pipelines and wind turbines

Asset tags are vital to protecting assets, processes and costs


Asset tags help provide the visibility and control that managers, companies and facilities need to optimize operations and advance business objectives. Some of the many benefits include:


  • Improved inventory management: Asset tags let you know what you have, where you have it, reducing the risk and impact of loss and theft
  • Streamlined maintenance: Asset labels make repair histories visible and maintenance easier, regular and sustainable
  • Better regulatory compliance: Many industries, such as healthcare and financial services, are subject to asset tracking compliance and regulatory requirements
  • Increased cost savings: Asset tags bolster budgets by extending asset life, findability and enabling better repair-or-replace decisions




Still not sure which asset tag is right for your application? Seton has a wide variety of asset tags, RFID tags, and barcode labels available. You’ll even find tamper-evident custom destructible ID labels that will help protect your assets. Need to see and and feel the tags to make a decision? Contact us for a FREE sample pack.

Learn more about Asset Identification