Why Engraving and Signage Companies Should Add Cable Labels to Their Offering

Consider a typical order from a panel builder or electrical contractor. They request engraved labels for switchboard indicators, legend plates for pushbuttons, and asset tags for equipment housings. But every panel they build also contains dozens, sometimes hundreds, of cables that need clear, permanent identification. Those cables need labelling to meet British Standard BS 7671 and site-specific documentation requirements.

When your customer has to source cable labels separately, several problems arise. They deal with a second supplier, manage a separate ordering process, and risk inconsistencies between the engraved identification on the panel and the printed labels on the cables running to it. If you can supply both from a single source, you simplify their procurement, strengthen the relationship, and capture revenue that would otherwise go elsewhere.

The cable label market in the UK is substantial. Electrical contractors, data centre operators, rail engineers, and oil and gas teams all depend on durable, professionally printed cable labels. For an engraving business already positioned in the industrial identification space, adding this capability is a logical step rather than a leap.

One UK engraving and signage company has been offering cable labels alongside their core engraving services for over 20 years. Their experience illustrates both the challenges and the rewards of adding cable labelling to an established engraving business.

Before finding the right system, the company experienced significant frustrations with their previous cable label printer. Print quality fell short of the standard their customers expected, consumables were expensive, delivery times for supplies were unpredictable, and the machine itself was noisy, slow, and took up valuable workshop space.

The decision to switch to the Fox-in-a-Box® system brought immediate improvements across every metric that mattered to their business.

For an engraving workshop where space is already occupied by CNC machines, laser engravers, and material stock, the compact footprint of the Fox-in-a-Box® was a practical advantage. The system sits comfortably on a workbench and does not demand a dedicated area.

Not every label printer is suited to an engraving and signage environment. The cable label printer you choose needs to match the standards your customers already expect from your engraved products: professional finish, consistent quality, and reliable output under production pressure. Here are the factors that matter most.

Print quality that matches your engraving standards

Your reputation is built on precision. If the cable labels you supply look inferior to the engraved plates sitting next to them on a control panel, your customers will notice. Thermal transfer printing produces sharp, durable text that resists chemicals, UV exposure, and physical abrasion. The Fox-in-a-Box® prints at 300 DPI, delivering crisp barcodes, fine text, and clean graphics on every label.

Range and versatility

Your customers' cable labelling needs are varied. One project might call for tie-on cable labels for a switchboard, while the next requires heatshrink markers for control wiring or wrap-around labels for a data centre. A system that handles all of these from a single printer, using a single software package and a single ribbon, eliminates the need to invest in multiple machines.

The Fox-in-a-Box® prints over 200 variations of cable and equipment labels. That means you can quote for virtually any cable labelling requirement without telling customers you cannot handle their specification.

Consumable costs and availability

High consumable costs and unreliable supply chains eat directly into your margins. For the UK engraver quoted above, switching systems dramatically reduced ribbon waste and consumable expenditure. Silver Fox® manufactures labels and ribbons in-house at their Hertfordshire facility, which means short lead times and consistent stock availability across the full range of blank labels.

Software that works for production environments

The Labacus Innovator® software is designed for engineers and production environments, not consumers. It supports direct import from Excel spreadsheets, making it straightforward to take a customer's cable schedule and turn it into a print-ready label job. For engraving businesses accustomed to working from customer-supplied data files, this workflow will feel familiar.

Support you can actually reach

When a cable label order is due and something is not working, you need help immediately. Generic printer manufacturers route you through call centres and ticketing systems. Silver Fox® provides direct access to UK-based technical support engineers via phone, email, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp.

One of the strongest commercial arguments for adding cable labels is the breadth of products you can supply. With the Fox-in-a-Box® system, a single printer covers the full range of cable identification requirements your customers are likely to have.

The Fox-in-a-Box® system prints over 200 cable and equipment label variations, from LSZH tie-on labels and heatshrink markers to wrap-around labels and fibre optic flags, all from one compact printer.

Beyond cable labels, the same system also prints equipment labels, asset tags, patch panel labels, and pipe identification tape. This means a single investment covers not only cable labelling but a wide range of industrial identification products that complement your existing engraving services.

Adding cable labels to an engraving business is not just about buying a printer. It is about positioning your company as a complete identification partner rather than a single-service supplier. Here is how to approach it practically.

Start with your existing customers

Your current client base is the lowest-hanging fruit. Customers who already trust you with engraved labels for their panels and equipment are the most likely to add cable labels to their orders. Many may not even realise you offer the service until you mention it. A simple conversation during the next order, or a line on your quotation template, can open the door.

Bundle engraved and printed labels

Offering combined packages for panel builds, where engraved traffolyte labels and printed cable labels are quoted together, creates a compelling value proposition. The customer gets everything from one supplier, with matched delivery schedules and a single point of contact. You increase average order value and make it harder for competitors to displace you.

Offer pre-print services for contractors

Many electrical contractors and panel builders lack the time or equipment to print their own cable labels on site. By offering a pre-print service where customers send a cable schedule and receive printed labels ready to install, you create a service model that generates repeat business. Silver Fox® also offers a pre-print service themselves, so you can discuss how best to position this for your market.

Leverage your quality reputation

Engraving businesses compete on precision and quality. That same reputation transfers naturally to cable labelling when you are using a professional-grade system. Customers who know your engraved labels are consistently accurate and durable will trust your printed cable labels in the same way.

How much space does a cable label printer need?

The Fox-in-a-Box® is a compact, desktop-sized system that sits comfortably on a standard workbench. Unlike some industrial label printers that require dedicated floor space, it fits into an existing workshop layout without disruption. This was a key advantage for the engraving company featured in this article, whose previous machine took up significantly more room.

Do I need specialist training to print cable labels?

No. The Labacus Innovator® software is designed to be intuitive for anyone comfortable with standard production workflows. Every Fox-in-a-Box® purchase includes complimentary training from Silver Fox®'s UK-based team, so you and your staff can be productive from day one. Ongoing support is available free of charge for the life of the system.

Can I import cable schedules from my customers' Excel files?

Yes. Labacus Innovator® supports direct import from Excel spreadsheets, allowing you to take a customer's cable schedule and produce print-ready labels without manual re-entry. This workflow is particularly valuable for large orders where accuracy and speed are critical.

What cable label materials are available?

The Fox-in-a-Box® system prints on over 200 label variations, including LSZH tie-on cable labels, heatshrink markers, self-laminating wrap-around labels, PVC tie-on labels, asset tags, and patch panel labels. Labels are available in multiple sizes, colours, and materials to suit different environments and specifications.

How does this complement my engraved label service?

Cable labels and engraved labels serve different identification functions on the same installation. Engraved traffolyte labels identify panels, switches, and equipment housings. Cable labels identify the wiring connected to that equipment. Offering both from a single source gives your customer consistency, convenience, and confidence that all identification on their project is handled by one trusted supplier.