How do you get your name on your machines?

[Amall23]

I am soon to purchase my first machine and am wondering about how everyone else marks their machines as theirs.  I was thinking a small sticker on the side with my name and number for questions, comments, service needed, etc.  Anyone have something like this?  And if so, where do you purchase from!  I was thinking of the stickers from CafePress... they are 3"x4" and I would cut them in half.

[JPVendCo.]

what I was looking at doing was buying a box of mailing labels from officemax, and printing my info and logo onto them. cheap, and only limited to you abiltity on the computer....

[Amall23]

I could print them myself or at a small print shop here, that is a good idea too. My first thought was CafePress because I am familiar with its interface and can totally customize the design. But that can be done with mailing labels too!

[nam]

Amall,

I got mine at Kinko's. The stickers look like metal but of course their not. It says this machine is the property of Acme Vending, 123 4th st.,Anytown,USA For service please call 800-123-4567. They come on a roll and tear off one at a time. Of course they are sticky and I try putting one on the outside as well as the inside where it can't be easily removed.

Not real sure of the price or quanity but thinking it was 500 for about $50. The price really wasn't much more for 500 than 250.

nam

[dperry]

I got a roll of 300 labels from VistaPrint. Silver foil with black lettering. I put them on the back of all my machines. At one point I also got one of those self-inking rubber stamps to mark the inside of the machines. I did it on the inside because I figured if a thief tried to sell one of my machines on ebay, he wouldn't think to look on the inside for any markings. So if I were to find one of my missing machines on ebay, I would have an easier time of getting it back. The downside was that the ink would smear all over the machine and became unusable.

[candygirl]

I use double-sided tape and tape one of my business cards to the inside of the globe.

I only have four locations but at two of them the card was torn off the body (just a few months after placing) when I had the card taped to the outside.

Barb

[Amall23]

I was thinking a window sticke on the inside but wasn't sure if that's against some health code or something. Still looking into that.

[JPVendCo.]

i wouldn't put your contact sticker inside the globe. I have seen a few like that and it looks tacky. mine are on the body, fairly small.

[Jax Snacks]

After 9 years, I have a strong opinion on this!

ALWAYS put your contact info INSIDE the machine! The problem is that people pick at, write on, tear off or even steal your outside labeling - sort of another form of graffiti that I will never understand. Cleaning fluids over time can also wear off outside labeling. I used to have all my labeling on the outside when I started, but now place them inside.  Minimize sticker use as the residue over time can leave a nasty stain mark.  The sun and heat will take it's toll over time on stickers.  I just use a few very small pieces of Scoth Transparent Tape to hold either a business card or charity label on the inside - it is hardly noticeable and does not leave an ugly residue mark when removed.

Jax

[lurtsman]

After 9 years, I have a strong opinion on this!

ALWAYS put your contact info INSIDE the machine! The problem is that people pick at, write on, tear off or even steal your outside labeling - sort of another form of graffiti that I will never understand. Cleaning fluids over time can also wear off outside labeling. I used to have all my labeling on the outside when I started, but now place them inside.  Minimize sticker use as the residue over time can leave a nasty stain mark.  The sun and heat will take it's toll over time on stickers.  I just use a few very small pieces of Scoth Transparent Tape to hold either a business card or charity label on the inside - it is hardly noticeable and does not leave an ugly residue mark when removed.

Jax

Excellent advice for any new vendor. POTD voted.

[G-man422]

Great replies here.  I would suggest putting your contact info on the outside and the inside of the machine.  Having my contact info on the outside has saved me a couple of times. People have called about a broken machine and I was able to fix the machine same day instead of finding out I lost a month of revenue because my mechanism was jammed.  Another time my location called and said that the kids had gotten the top open and were digging their hands into the machine to get free candy!  Thanks to them I was able to replace the product and fix the lock. 

I use one of those "label makers" you can get at office depot.  It's clean and sticks well.

[chris in md]

You can also use return address mailing labels; they're advertised in the Sunday paper, and they're inexpensive.  I think the metallic foil ones would look pretty nice, and you get 4 lines for text.  The guy I bought my machines from suggested that.  I'm planning on ordering some of those and putting the sticker on the top lid of the bulk machines, toward the rear, and also taping a business card inside of the globe, on the side, probably near the top.

- chris

[Quarter Master]

Another way to go is to put the sticker(or whatever you use) on the base of the stand.This is what I do and haven't had any problems with them and it looks rather professional.

[nepavend]

I always have labels on cutup business cards, taped to the inside of my machines.  Sometimes I will place more than one inside if it is a rack.

I am also going to start putting labels in other hard to see places just in case a globe is destroyed, such as painting my phone number on the bottom of the base, engraving, additional small labels on or inside the bases, etc.

Basically, the more measures you take, the better chance you will get your machines back if the business closes or someone tries to steal your machine.

[havending]

Go to Office Depot you can get a roll of 50 nice foil type lables printed for around 60 dollars. They dont rip fade or peal.

[dperry]

I once thought I was going to engrave my machines. But after trying to do it to the metal surfaces, I figured I had better things to do with my time.

Engraving is good for maybe wood surfaces or if you only are going to do it on one metal object. Doing it to dozens of metal machines would take a week and your hands would end up numb from the vibrations.

[Amall23]

Engraving is a great idea! But I'm like you, my letters come out like Halloween...wiggly and spooky.

Has anyone tried securing their business card to the outside of the machine with contact paper?

[nam]

Amall,

A big problem is whatever is put on the outside seems to get pulled off. Even vinyl decals will get picked apart and pulled off.

The other thing is your machines will get dirty hand and finger prints, dust and dirt and in general need to be cleaned on a regular basis. If you have a business card or most any kind of reg. paper stock on the outside of your machines it will get ruined from being sprayed with cleaner and wiped off.

nam

[Amall23]

Even vinyl decals? That's sad... where do people get the idea to pick at these things!

Theres a small glassworks shop near me. I'm contacting them about etching some information in the glass of a machine... Assuming they still have glass and not plastic. :-/