Labelling USB sticks

Haydon · Mar 16, 2023

Like many others, I have a box of USB sticks.

I have labelled some of the USB sticks with little paper stickers that I write on and (somewhat) protect the paper stickers with transparent sticky tape to make the writing (somewhat) more durable.

Some USB sticks have a ring at the tail end and I insert a colored paper clip through the ring. I wish the ring has a perpendicular orientation, so that the inserted paper clip is parallel to the body of the USB stick. This method is very durable, but this is of course not a true label, and I may forget over time about the combination of the color/shape of the paper clip and the shape/look of the USB stick.

Anyway, I am looking for better ways to label USB sticks, especially if the body of the USB stick is small

cereberus · Mar 16, 2023

Good old fashioned dymo?

DigitalGoat · Mar 16, 2023

You can get plastic tag keyrings that have a paper insert for the label, come in a variety of colours, probably found in stationers supplys, the sort of cheap keyrings used by rental firms, schools, locker providers etc.
If the stick doesn't have a loop on the end then you could use some sort of marker pen designed for writing on glazed surfaces, but you would have trouble over writing the label, so your current method of paper and tape is probably the better option.

Haydon · Mar 16, 2023

Aha, are there any dymo with small enough fonts for a descriptive label on a small USB stick body? Anyone has tried? I guess I would still need to protect the dymo label with sticky transparent tape against the handling of the USB stick.

I should say that sticky transparent tape does help, but it is only semi-permanent. I did think about a coating gadget, but now I would need 2 gadgets, labelling and coating.

FWIW, I also did think about an engraving gadget, which is very durable, but the contrast/legibility appears to be lacking.

trevo · Mar 16, 2023

I use these memory card labels, not a perfect solution but adequate.

https://www.amazon.com/Multi-use-Printable-CFexpress-Removable-Stickers/dp/B098DCXG4F/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YF22L5B7R7EZ&keywords=120+Count%29+Multi-use+Label+Printable+Stick-On+Camera+Memory+Card+Labels+SD+SDHC+SDXC+XQD+CF+CFexpress+Type-B+Card+USB+Flash+Drive+Removable+Stickers+Cards+Mark+Paper+Labeler&qid=1678984004&sprefix=120+count+multi-use+label+printable+stick-on+camera+memory+card+labels+sd+sdhc+sdxc+xqd+cf+cfexpress+type-b+card+usb+flash+drive+removable+stickers+cards+mark+paper+labeler%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1

Haydon · Mar 16, 2023

@trevo I use sticky mailing labels that can be printed on. I think that any type of sticky paper/plastic needs protection against handling of the USB stick. As mentioned, I use for protection a sticky transparent tape.

The advantage of your memory card labels is that they are colored. Gives me the idea to use a color highlighter on the white mailing labels.

Edwin · Mar 16, 2023

I just write on em with a Sharpie.

Fabler2 · Mar 16, 2023

Edwin said:
I just write on em with a Sharpie.

Yes I've been doing that but if you change the content it becomes a mess

Edwin · Mar 16, 2023

Fabler2 said:
if you change the content it becomes a mess

Rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip.

kelper · Mar 16, 2023

I would store them in a jewellery or fly-fishing box like this. Then keep a spreadsheet with each USB's purpose and location. The box is arranged in this case with two columns and six rows in each half. So, the location could be LA2 (Left Box, Column A, Row 2)

You could print the list and keep it in the box.

Haydon · Mar 16, 2023

I had been doing the Sharpie thing too > moved to my labels and paper clips > there is still room for improvement, I think

glasskuter · Mar 16, 2023

I'm with Edwin. I've got tons of these things. For those that I can write on, I use a sharpie. For those I can't write on, my solution is good old Duck Tape. Residue cleanup isn't ideal but the tape WON'T come off by itself.

Haydon · Mar 16, 2023

@kelper I did and still do something similar, I use(d) an old CD/DVD binder with paper inserts, I tape the USB sticks (flat ones) to the bottom of the paper insert and write at the top of the paper insert a kind of a legend, including for example the license key in case of an installation USB stick. I used to write the license key at the back of the paper insert, LOL

Winuser · Mar 16, 2023

Haydon said:
I have labelled some of the USB sticks with little paper stickers that I write on and (somewhat) protect the paper stickers with transparent sticky tape to make the writing (somewhat) more durable.

That's how I do my flash drives. Most of them don't have the little loop on the end. I never thought about using a light colored sharpie.

kelper · Mar 16, 2023

I have a few Sandisk Ultra USBs which only stick out a few millimetres, so can left in a laptop with no risk of snapping them off or goosing the USB ports. But they are easily lost to the vacuum cleaner if dropped on the carpet.

Edwin · Mar 16, 2023

kelper said:
... easily lost to the vacuum cleaner

That reminds me!!! When the time draweth near to replace the vacuum cleaner bag, I need to look out for a 256GB MicroSD Card and rescue my 'C' key cap!!!

Winuser · Mar 16, 2023

kelper said:
I have a few Sandisk Ultra USBs which only stick out a few millimetres, so can left in a laptop with no risk of snapping them off or goosing the USB ports. But they are easily lost to the vacuum cleaner if dropped on the carpet.

I have three or four of them. They are easy to lose.

SmokeMe · Mar 16, 2023

I just write on a (cut-down) post-it, w/ ink pen & tape it to the USB drive

Haydon · Mar 16, 2023

I know that these tiny USB stubs are popular with gigging musicians, they stick them in their instruments and nobody notices if they play pre-recorded backing tracks, for example, the audience only notices how good their 'solo' performances sound, LOL.

These tiny USB stubs are too small to be labelled.

What I really miss are really flat and really strong USB sticks.

kelper · Mar 16, 2023

Haydon said:
What I really miss are really flat and really strong USB sticks.

Which are your favourites?

Labelling USB sticks

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