There are many different ways of labelling items to make them easier to identify. This guide can help you with practical advice and highlight some useful products available to purchase through RNIB.
What's out there to help?
Audio labels
For personalised audio labels you can make your own, using your own voice to record information.
We recommend:
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The RNIB PenFriend audio labeller (DL76): an award winning labelling pen that is simple and easy-to-use. Supplied with 170 labels the PenFriend allows a maximum recording time of 250 hours! There are PenFriend laundry labels too. With 48 self-adhesive labels per pack, record them with your own voice and never leave the house with odd socks or a mismatched outfit again!
You can also find lots of hints and tips on making the most of your RNIB PenFriend in our short guide.
Braille labels
Braille labels can be produced using a variety of different methods and materials.
We recommend:
Moon labels
Moon labels can be created using self-adhesive Moon alphabet sheets (ZM26) and Moon number sheets (ZM30).
Clear print labels
Clear print labels can be produced using our range of writing pens and self-adhesive labels. Highlight obstacles such as kitchen worktops or bookcases, outline light switches or the first and last steps of a staircase with Day-Glo orange tape (DL95). There are also clear print stickers available to adapt your computer keyboard and make it more accessible as well as a range of large print keyboards.
Tactile labels
Tactile labels can be produced using cheap yet effective products which are available through us.
We recommend:
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Bumpons - these self adhesive plastic markers come a range of colours, shapes and sizes and are ideal for marking cooker heating controls and washing machine programs
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Tacti-Mark - a liquid plastic that sets hard and is excellent for marking tools and appliances. Once it's applied you won't be able to remove it
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Colour indicating buttons - shaped buttons to help identify different coloured items of clothing
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Loc Dots - tactile, self-adhesive 'locator' dots which can be used to mark frequently used keys on a computer or typewriter keyboard.
Everyday Labelling hints and tips
Domestic appliances
Many domestic appliances, such as kettles, can be used without any adaptations. However, you may find it easier and safer to use some appliances, if the controls are adapted to include tactile or clear print markings to indicate the different settings.
On your oven, for example, different shaped Bumpons could be used to mark the different temperature and function settings. If space allows, add small braille labels to the touch control panel on your microwave. Produce braille labels easily with a braille labeller or by using a hand frame or Perkins brailler.
A mixture of Bumpons and Tacti-Mark can be used on the control panel of your washing machine to tag regularly used wash cycles and temperatures.
Food items
In addition to indicating what a bottle, jar, packet or tin contains, you may wish to add sell by dates, cooking instructions, dietary information and even the date you placed something in the freezer on your items of food. RNIB PenFriend is ideal for doing this and the labels will even work after being stored in the freezer. Stick the labels on a clothes peg or freezer box so they are reusable and transferable. Many of the Co-Op own brand goods have basic information, such as the product name, in uncontracted braille (grade 1) on the packaging.
Reusable food labels
You may buy particular food items regularly, and for these you don't have to produce a new label each time. Here are a few ways to make your labels reusable:
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labels on elastic - thread thin elastic or elastic bands through punched labels and use around the necks of bottles or on jars or other containers.
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attach labels to jar lids - for example, when you finish one jar of jam and purchase your next jar, simply swap the lids over.
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attach labels to cut out squares of plastic or card - which can be attached to bottles and boxes using Blu-Tack. Alternatively, by punching a hole in the plastic or card, thin elastic or an elastic band can be threaded through the hole to attach the label.
Medicines
A lot of medicines from the chemist or supermarket already have basic information, such as the product name and strength, in uncontracted braille (grade 1) on their packaging. You may wish to add your own labels to include further information such as the date prescribed or purchased, the dosage and application instructions, details of what the medication is for and any special arrangements for taking it, such as with food or time of day. Why not take your labelling device with you to the Chemist and ask them to record the dosage instructions for you?
We recommend:
Beauty products
Add labels to your perfumes, moisturiser, shaving lotions and hair products. Organise your make-up bag and add details about the colours, names and brands of your lipsticks, eyeshadows, mascara, foundation and nail polishes. One small RNIB PenFriend audio label with lots of information about the product will fit comfortably on most cosmetic packaging.
Short braille labels can be produced on Dymo tape using a Braille labeller (DL65) and will stick well to the curved bottle surfaces. Clear self-adhesive labels remain in place even when damp in the bathroom, so are ideal for use on shower gel and shampoo bottles.
Film and music collections
Find the film you want to watch or the album you wish to listen to quickly and easily by adding clear print, braille or audio labels to the storage cases. You may only wish the label to give information on the title or artist. However, you could also add the film synopsis, the main actor's names, the genre and age classification. On your albums you could list all of the track names and artist information.
Using the RNIB PenFriend audio labeller (DL76) you can record as much information as you want and the one small label can be folded around the edge of the storage case, so it sits on the spine, you can then scroll across your shelves of DVD's or CD's, with the spines facing outward, until you find the one you want.
We also recommend:
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clear self-adhesive plastic CD labels can be brailled on using a hand frame or a Perkins brailler and are the perfect size for sticking to the front of a CD case.
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our CD sized braille paper (BP52) is the same size as the booklet that sits inside the crystal case as another option. Simply braille the sheet of paper and slot it into place alongside the print booklet.
Clothing
Braille, Moon and audio labels can be attached to clothes pegs clipped to items of clothing; or add labels directly to coat hangers, or to pieces of card with a hole punched into them which are threaded onto the hook of a coat hanger. If a label is attached to a piece of card or paper, a safety pin can be used to attach the label to the item of clothing.
Store information such as washing and care instructions, colour and pattern details, accessories the piece goes well with can be added to the items of clothing in your wardrobe.
Colours can be identified using our range of colour indicating buttons, which are available in packs of colours and shapes. These buttons can be sewn into clothing.
Colour detectors can help you identify the colour of the clothes in your wardrobe, or can be taken with you while out shopping for that new dress or shirt and tie.
Never lose a sock or one glove in the wash again. Pair them up using Sokloks (DK92) when you put them in the laundry basket. Safe in the washing machine and tumble dryer, the plastic discs keep your socks together when you push each pair into the slot at the centre of the disc.
Paperwork
You may not receive all of your letters through the post or documents provided to you in your preferred reading format, so you might need to add a label to the paperwork to help you identify its content.
The information you include could be the date received, details of who sent it, details of the contents, any actions required by you or others, diary appointments and contact details.
Our range of big print and braille diaries and calendars can help you organise your time. If you need to take paperwork to a meeting or appointment, alongside the appointment details in your diary you can add a reminder to pick up the documents, as well as recording where you have filed them. Or add an audio label to the letter to remember the details and any questions you want to follow up.
Pets
It is not only the human food and medicines in your home that you may want to label. You may wish to add sell by dates and dietary information to your pet's food containers.
Or if they have been prescribed medication by the vet you can add details about the date it was prescribed, the dosage and application instructions, along with details of what the medication is for and any special arrangements for taking it.
Gardening
Easily identify the plants and vegetables you are growing in your garden by adding labels with their name and care instructions on. Label your seed packets, so you can tell your sunflower and marigold seeds from a lettuce and carrot seeds. Also label up containers in your shed, so you can identify the weed killer and the plant food - or ant powder.
You can waterproof your clear print or standard PenFriend audio labels by laminating them, covering them in Sellotape or even sealing them inside a clear document wallet. This will help protect your label when going over them with the watering can or when it rains.
RNIB PenFriend audio labels can be recorded on before or after you have made them waterproof. For waterproof braille labels use Plastic tie-on labels.
Finding misplaced items
There is an easy way to find those items around the home that tend to get frequently misplaced, such as the TV remote, your house-keys, your reading glasses or walking stick. Attach an electronic locator to it and when you want to find them, simply find another locator and press the allocated button for the item you are looking for. The fob you are searching for will begin to flash and beep, allowing you to find it.
We recommend:
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Loc8tor Lite (DL92) - a black, credit card sized locator that allows you to find the corresponding tags put on keys, purse or a mobile phone.
Shopping and money management
In the shop
A hand frame and some clear self-adhesive labels or an RNIB PenFriend can easily be taken out shopping with you. As you go around the shop, add labels to the items as they are placed in your trolley or basket. You will then know what they are when you get them home. When purchasing electrical goods, ask for assistance in store to label remote controls and plugs.
Your purse or wallet
Label the credit card pockets in your purse or wallet so you can easily find the card you want to pay with. Handy plastic coin holders can help with loose change and the coins can easily be removed from them when you need to pay for items.
We recommend:
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a note detector (DO62) - a neat little gadget that fits in the palm of your hand and gives different vibrations depending on whether it's a five, ten or twenty pound note
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a note checker (DW47) to check the value of banknotes when you are paying for goods and to check the change you receive. You can also use a hand frame to emboss the denominations in the corner of the banknote
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our handy coin holder (DO64) is pocket sized and holds up to five £1.00 coins or five one Euro coins. It makes coins easier to find than when they are among coins of other sizes in a purse
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our signature guide (DW42) helps with signing important documents and cheques. All major banks make cheque book signature guides available to their customers. Ask at your local branch for details.
Holidays and Travel
Find your stowed luggage easily on the train by attaching an electronic locator fob to it, and keeping a second locator fob on you, so that you can press the allocated button for the one attached to your luggage. The fob you are searching for will begin to flash and beep, allowing you to locate it. Locators are also useful for finding your seat again having been to the buffet or toilet.
When staying in unfamiliar temporary accommodation, such as a holiday home or hotel, you can use brightly coloured Day-Glo orange tape (DL95) to highlight obstacles such as kitchen worktops or bookcases, to outline light switches or the first and last steps of a staircase. The tape can easily be removed from the surfaces before you leave. You may also add a tactile marker to your room door, close to or on the handle. Use a Glowmat (DH99) to find unfamiliar light or power switches.
Travelling in Europe, don't forget to take your Euro note detector (DO63) and Euro coin holder (DO64) to help you check the value of money. You can also use a hand frame to emboss the denominations in the corner of the note.
Games and storybooks
Card games and board games
With a bit of time and assistance, you can adapt card games and board games that you enjoy playing with family and friends.
For example you could adapt Monopoly by marking the edges of the different properties and other playing squares with Tacti-Mark, stick a braille label on each property on the board to identify its name, colour set and value.
The Property Deeds, Community Chess and Chance cards can be embossed using a hand frame or by using a brailler to create labels on clear self-adhesive labels, which are then stuck to the cards. The money can have the denominations embossed in the corner of each note.
Our playing cards are available with jumbo print or have braille markings. You may wish to purchase a set of tactile dice (GB91).
Storybooks
Create your own shared reading books by adding braille to clear self-adhesive labels and sticking them to the pages of the print book. This allows the pictures and print story to be read underneath, enabling shared reading between sighted and blind readers, such as parent and child, teacher and child, friends.
Buying from RNIB
Instructions
Our instructions are written to make it easier to use the product and understand key features. Products are fully explained including orientation around operating buttons, battery compartment, functions and menus, as appropriate.
We provide instructions in accessible formats. You will receive large print as standard, and can order braille or audio CD with your product to get the most out of your purchase.
Guarantee
All our labelling products have a 12 month guarantee which starts from the date of purchase.
Try before you buy
If you want to view our range to try out for yourself, there are easy ways to try before you buy.
More information
If you want more information about our full range of labelling products, visit our online shop, contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.
Keep up-to-date
To stay up to date with our full range of products, grab a gree copy of our Everyday living catalogue. You can also subscribe, free of charge, to our e-newsletter and our New Product Guide