How to Label Fibre Optic Cables: A Complete Guide

Labelling fibre optic cables presents distinct challenges that standard cable labelling methods struggle to address. Understanding these challenges helps explain why dedicated fibre labelling solutions exist and how to select the right approach for your installation.

The repercussions of mislabelling are significant in fibre networks. Incorrect identification can lead to miscommunication during maintenance, unnecessary downtime while tracing connections, and delays in fault resolution. These issues compound in large installations where a single mislabelled fibre can take hours to trace correctly.

Flag labels represent the most common approach to fibre optic cable identification. Rather than wrapping entirely around the cable, flag labels feature a self-adhesive section that bonds to itself, creating a protruding flag that displays identification information on both sides. This design eliminates concerns about cable diameter while providing excellent visibility.

Silver Fox® offers two distinct flag label options depending on your printing requirements and workflow preferences.

Prolab® Laser Fibre Optic Flag Labels

The Prolab® Laser Fibre Optic Flag Labels are supplied on A4 sheets for printing through any standard office laser printer. This approach requires no special equipment investment, making it accessible to organisations of any size.

The labels feature a unique shoulder design for easy alignment during application. They are pre-cut for rapid removal from the sheet, reducing preparation time during installation. Dual-sided printing capability means identification information remains visible regardless of which side faces the technician.

Prolab® Thermal Fibre Optic Flag Labels

For higher-volume work or integration with existing thermal printing infrastructure, the Prolab® Thermal Fibre Optic Flag Labels are designed for use with the Fox-in-a-Box® thermal printer system.

The thermal option proves particularly valuable in environments where labelling forms part of a broader cable management workflow. Using the same Fox-in-a-Box® system for fibre flag labels as for other cable types, such as wrap-around labels for harsh environments or heatshrink markers, simplifies training and consolidates equipment requirements.

While flag labels work well for most fibre optic applications, some installations benefit from wrap-around labels instead. Wrap-around labels can be easier to read in certain orientations and may better suit specific labelling conventions. The challenge lies in the small diameter of optical fibres.

The Prolab® Fibre Prød solves this problem elegantly. These flexible PVC sleeves slide onto the fibre optic patch cord, increasing its effective diameter to accommodate standard wrap-around labels.

With a Fibre Prød in place, you can use Silver Fox® thermal or laser wrap-around labels with the same equipment used for larger diameter cables. This approach offers consistency across mixed cable environments where both fibre and copper cables require identification.

Regardless of which label format you choose, the Labacus Innovator® software streamlines the design and printing process. All Prolab® fibre optic label templates are included, eliminating guesswork around printable areas and label positioning.

1. 1

   Select Your Label Type

   Choose from laser fibre flag labels, thermal fibre flag labels, or wrap-around labels. The software automatically loads the correct template with accurate printable areas.

2. 2

   Import or Enter Data

   Copy and paste directly from spreadsheets, import from CSV files, or enter data manually. The Professional level supports Fluke LinkWare™ Live integration for automated data transfer.

3. 3

   Customise as Required

   Add barcodes, QR codes, or graphics at Professional level. Adjust font sizes, add prefixes and suffixes, or include symbols to meet your labelling requirements.

4. 4

   Print and Apply

   Send to your laser printer for sheet labels or Fox-in-a-Box® for thermal labels. Both options produce durable, professional-quality output ready for immediate application.

The software's spreadsheet compatibility proves particularly valuable for data centre work. Cable schedules typically exist as spreadsheets, and being able to import this data directly eliminates transcription errors and dramatically reduces label preparation time. For more on labelling best practices in data centres, see our guide to labelling patch panels.

Accurate fibre labelling transforms network management across multiple sectors. The ability to quickly identify specific fibres reduces maintenance time and prevents costly errors during modifications or fault resolution.

Data Centres

In environments managing vast amounts of data, fibre optic labels ensure cables are accurately identified across patch panels, distribution frames, and equipment racks. Rapid identification facilitates maintenance and upgrades without risking data integrity or service continuity.

Telecommunications

For telecom operators, clear and durable fibre labelling aids swift service restoration following outages. When every minute of downtime affects customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance, the ability to trace connections quickly becomes essential.

Corporate Networks

Within corporate IT departments, where network reliability underpins business operations, proper fibre identification streamlines modifications and expansions. IT teams can confidently make changes knowing exactly which connections they are working with.

The best fibre optic labelling solution depends on your specific requirements, existing equipment, and workflow preferences. Consider these factors when making your selection:

• Volume: Low to medium volumes suit laser-printable sheets; high volumes benefit from thermal printing with the Fox-in-a-Box® system.
• Equipment: Already have a thermal printer? Thermal flag labels integrate with your existing workflow. Starting fresh? Laser sheets require no equipment investment.
• Label format preference: Flag labels work for most applications; use Fibre Prøds with wrap-around labels if your standards or preferences require this format.
• Information density: Need barcodes, QR codes, or graphics? The Professional level of Labacus Innovator® provides these capabilities.
• Environment: All Prolab® labels feature durable polyester construction with strong acrylic adhesive, suitable for the controlled environments typical of data centres and comms rooms.

For installations involving both fibre and copper cables, the Fox-in-a-Box® system offers significant advantages. Using one printer, one software package, and one ribbon for all cable types simplifies procurement, training, and ongoing operations. The system supports over 160 label variations, from fibre flags to wrap-around labels to heatshrink markers.