Our Sling Tag Solutions
Per ASME B30.9, every sling assembly must include a legible tag ensuring riggers are able to reference the details of the tag before use. Wire rope and chain slings are often used in harsh environments and face heavy use and industrial wear-and-tear. You need robust, durable tags to identify and label your slings that will last a long time and remain legible no matter what–and that’s where Etched comes in. We manufacture custom sling tags in a variety of materials and process types, and can ensure lasting clarity for important information such as load capacities, inspection details, and compliance specifications.
Material Options for Sling Tags
We manufacture tags in the following materials:
Stainless steel is the most durable material type for sling tags, and can endure significant corrosion, abrasion, and wear and tear. Your stainless steel sling tags will last for years or decades, even in harsh outdoor environments.
We stock stainless steel in 0.018” – 0.125” thicknesses. 316 and 304 stainless steel is available in most thicknesses. You can choose between 2 finish options: the #4 finish, which creates sling tags with a shinier sheen, and the #2B finish, which creates duller matte sling tags.
Aluminum sling tags are less durable but lighter weight than stainless steel, making them a popular choice for the transportation industry or applications where weight is at a premium. Aluminum sling tags are less resistant to corrosion and abrasion, but are still relatively durable and long-lasting.
We stock aluminum in 0.020” – 0.125” thicknesses, with other thicknesses available upon request.
Process Options for Sling Tags
Our sling tag process options include:
Chemical etching is the most durable and long-lasting process option for sling tags, and will ensure legibility for years or even decades. Our chemical etching process involves dissolving part of the material in acid, and the depth of the etch can vary from 0.0015” – 0.003.” Chemical etching can be selected as a process type for either stainless steel or aluminum sling tags.
Rotary engraving is the second most durable process option after chemical etching. We use a rotating cutting tool to carve a groove 0.003” – 0.007” into the substrate, then fill the engraved graphics with paint for greater legibility. If you’re ordering sling tags in bulk, rotary engraving is an especially cost-effective option. It can be selected as a process type for either stainless steel or aluminum sling tags.
We use fiber or CO2 lasers to create durable metal marking for custom sling tags. You can choose fiber lasers if you want a more durable sling tag (since the laser engraves with greater depth), or CO2 lasers if you want a true black color but don’t need your sling tag to be as abrasion-resistant. Laser engraving can be selected as a process type for either stainless steel or aluminum sling tags.
Screen printing is the least durable process type, so may not be the best choice for sling tags installed in abrasive, corrosive, or harsh industrial environments. However, it still creates a crisp, clear, and durable image, and can be selected as a process type for either stainless steel or aluminum sling tags.
The Tube Tag: Finally, a Sling Tag That Won’t Come Off
The Tube Tag (also called a square tag, a square sling tag, or a square tag for rigging) is an innovative sling tag solution that is your answer to reducing downtime in the field and slings falling off. Available in over-the-rope (OTR) and over-the-sleeve (OTS) versions, the Tube Tag is making traditional sling tags obsolete by integrating into the assembly of the sling and not relying on cables, clips, or other accessories to keep your tag on. Here are just a few reasons why customers worldwide love square sling tags:
- Fully captured: Traditional sling tags are attached by wire and can be ripped off during normal use. The Tube Tag is a square metal sleeve that surrounds the wire rope and will not come off, even in harsh construction and industrial settings.
- Four sides for more information: Square sling tags can fit more information than traditional sling tags, including warnings, websites, locations, logos, and more.
- Completely customizable: You aren’t restricted to stock tube sizes or standard lengths. Our experts will work with you to make sure your square sling tag fits how you want it, stays where you want it, and says what you want it to say.
Want to Learn More About Our Square Sling Tag Innovation?
Read all about how the Tube Tag works and why it’s better than traditional sling tag solutions in our Buyer’s Guide.
Leading Companies Choose The Tube Tag
Applications for Sling Tags
Sling tags communicate crucial worksite information and are used in a variety of industries and geographic areas. Our custom sling tags are especially crucial for industries such as:
Why Partner With Etched for Your Custom Sling Tags
Many companies are frustrated by supply chain and inventory issues, leaving them in the lurch when they need custom tags. We designed Etched from the ground up to provide a better way to order sling tags. We’ve put innovative stocking solutions in place, including the Tag Store and Tag Warehouse, to make the specifying and ordering process seamless. We also offer rush orders and expedited shipping at no extra cost.
Customer service is the basis of everything we do–and our experts have decades of experience solving customer problems before they arise. Partner with Etched to work with a team of great people, world-class technology, and innovative manufacturing. So you’ll never have to worry about your sling tags again.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a standard lead time of two weeks, regardless of size of order. However, we understand that urgent situations sometimes arise, and offer rush orders and expedited shipping at no extra cost. Learn more about our Bail Me Out program.
We’ll need to know the material, process option, and text or graphics you want included on your sling tag. If you have an existing tag you’d like to order more of, a sample, drawing, or dimensions of the part will be necessary.
At Etched, we pride ourselves on having no minimum or maximum quantities. We put our best effort into any size of order.
Before we begin manufacturing your sling tags, we’ll walk you through an art approval process to make sure everything looks the way you want it. If you still want a sample after the artwork approval, we are happy to provide one.
Have more questions? Our experts would love to help. Contact us today!
A Few of Our Satisfied Customers
“We used to always run out of tags but since we started working with Etched over (3) years ago, we’ve never run out and haven’t had to worry about them since.”
Valve Manufacturer - Oklahoma
“We can be a difficult customer because of our erratic order patterns and demanding timelines. Etched found a way to solve that problem and has been 100% on time for 3 years straight.”
Transportation Industry - Michigan
“With the environment we operate in today, it is more critical than ever to have vendors that can solve our problems in a proactive manner. We cannot be put in a situation in which a tag jeopardizes a shipment. Etched has implemented TIM (Tag Inventory Manager) in our warehouse and has completely solved the problems we previously had with our tags."
Process Industry OEM - Missouri
“Tags are now the easiest things I order. Thanks Etched for making my life easy!”
Valve Manufacturer - Louisiana