Tag Information
CCK Outfitters Tag Information
Tag Sizes
COW: 4" or greater use on livestock over 200 pounds
CALF: 3"- 4" use on calves, large deer
SMALL: 3" or less use on sheep, goats, deer, or swine
Colors
1. White, Yellow, Orange, or Pink offer best Contrast
2. Red, Green, or Blue offer good Contrast
3. Black tags should be Laser imprinted for durability
4. Purple with black lettering is hard to read
Special Colors
Neon Green Tags are made by Destron Fearing Duflex
Hot Pink Tags are made by Y-Tex and Destron Fearing Duflex
Turquoise and Chartreuse Tags are made by Temple & Z Tags
Aqua Tags are made by Destron Fearing Duflex
Black Laser Tags are done well by Allflex and Destron Fearing Duflex & Y-Tex
Engraved Tags are done by Ritchey
Tag Imprinting
Laser Marking allows printing of complicated detail. It lasts the life of the tag, resist wear, fading and is abrasive proof. Laser color is a dark charcoal black/gray or silvery white color on black tags. Y-Tex, Z Tags and Temple have a dark laser with good contrast. Allflex uses an advanced laser ink method that puts a layer of ink over the management number only, making it a dark black. As does Duflex with its dark and durable marking. This ink will wear over time, leaving the laser beneath. Y-TEX uses a propriety laser mark called PureLaser. Y-Tex laser mark is 100% laser, (not ink over laser), dark and guaranteed to last the life of the animal.
Engraved Ear Tags are layered tags of two different colors. Top layer is either engraved by manufacturer or DIY by customer with a dremel tool to expose the contrast color. Engraved ear tags will never fade but dirt can get trapped in the indention and make it hard to read the information. Ritchey offers Engraved Ear Tags.
Tag ink pens have a chemical component that helps the ink penetrate into the plastic of the ear tags. Ink comes in bottle ink and pens, in black and white colors. Tag ink pens will fade and ink must be reapplied each year to sustain markings. Other ink pens such as Sharpie or Marksalot perform even worse.
Customization
1. Visual ear tags are used to tell you something when you look at them so keep management numbers as large as possible so they are easy to see and limit to 4 digits or less to keep the numbers at their largest size.
2. Brands and logos are best placed in the neck of the tag or on the back on the full panel of tag.
3. Phone numbers are placed in prominent positions so they are easily read if animal gets lost or is at auction or show for advertising.
4. Name of ranch or rancher is often placed on tag for advertising or identification.
5. Placement of Name and phone number should go above the management number or below it so that visibility is ensured.
6. Most used layout of custom tag is to put brand/logo in neck, use line 1 for ranch name or rancher's name, use line 2 for phone number and use line 3 for large management number.