Labelling and Marking Guidelines -
Positioning of labels and marks
This document was written and licensed for publication by the Collections Trust.
- Avoid physically unstable surfaces. Also avoid placing labels or marks across a line of weakness or fracture;
- Choose a position so that the number is unlikely to be visible when the object is on display but is accessible in store;
- Avoid decoration and painted/varnished/pigmented/waxed areas;
- Avoid surfaces where the mark is likely to be at risk from abrasion, such as surfaces on which it normally rests, or where touched during handling;
- Mark all detachable parts of an object (using suffixes to the Object number);
- Locate the number so that the handling necessary to read it is minimised (consider marking the packaging or adding an extra tie-on label as well);
- With composite objects, mark the part on which the most secure method can be used;
- Where duplicate marks are made these should be in different positions on the object (bearing in mind, of course, the other principles listed above).
For suggestions on choosing a technique and where to mark different types
of objects see NML Marking and Labelling Methods and Positions.
Back to Labelling and Marking Guidelines Contents
© All material on Collections Link, copyright Collections Trust and other National Organisations 2008, all rights reserved
