Lots of great ideas floating around how to complete this project. Thinner border, extra labels, change this, add that, etc. All very nice. As much as I would prefer printing right on the Sys, I realize that it doesn't seem feasible anymore from a quality perspective. If the printer can't center the printing side to side on the Sys, that's a deal killer for me. That's a lack of quality control I am unwilling to accept. Up and down, don't really care. The ink bleeding should have been expected by everyone. You can't print fine on a textured surface without some bleeding.
At this point, this project has to be eating up Peter's time and life like crazy. He didn't have much hair to start and probably has less now.   One could say (not me, just voicing devils advocate) he should have done more printer research to avoid these issues. However there is always a learning curve and sh_t happens.
It's time to bring this project home. I would suggest Peter take all the ideas into consideration, assess the best options, pucker up, make the best decision and move forward. Grab it by the _alls and make it happen. Provide a good quality product that looks good, lasts and is reasonably within expectations. Guys may moan a bit about not getting exactly what they wanted or expected but they'll be happy.

I think we covered this already but the volume needed by Tanos to do the printing is well over the volume of FOGtainers ordered if I'm not mistaken.

I like the idea of a thinner border.  Also think these applied labels will look great centered, crisply printed, and very durable.  I even like the idea of being able to Sharpie them and later wipe them clean; textured Systainer surfaces can't be easily cleaned.  If the label provides a smoothish surface, I might print my own "contents" labels and put them just inside the border as they'll stick to a smooth surface.

Peter's a trooper for going through all this in the first place.  Though I voiced my opinion here, if a different decision is made so he gets his life back, I'm cool with that, too.

Of course you comments are welcome and encouraged.  Although I do not have an unattached label, here are images of the labels that they make for another client using the same materials.  I did measure the thickness before posting.


thickness of label with backing paper pulled away


Label for another client - guess who.  These were made for Hillary's traveling crates.  This is where I got the idea.

Peter

Hrrm..  I like 'em either way, though I think the label-printed results are definitely much crisper and clean.  A very noticeable difference in your pictures.

Perhaps it is more appropriate to call this a container "badge".  It is certainly more than a label, and as you described the adhesive qualities... Yow!

Peter, are the badges a clear material?  Or are they printed as a color-match to the dark blue Systainers?  I think you sort of stated it is the latter, but I'm not sure.

I prefer it without the border, except for the Sys1.  I think the Sys1's look excellent with the bordered version.

Whichever way they go, I'm all in. 

See how committed Peter is to this project, he's willing to risk going to federal prison for us.

...like bringing back some of those NAINA goodies?

So, you'll have to do a little calculating to figure just what you can get that would add up to 62 lbs.  But, other than that...

In case anyone might be interested, that label was for containers that held computer equipment and fax machines for H.R.C.

Peter

Sticker's fine by me.  Sounds like it's the same quality they use on the side on the space shuttle.

I can understand some comments that express that a direct printing looks way more authentic, but in light of the centering issues and crispness defficiency, I think a compromise is needed.  Unless you store your systainers by throwing them in a pile from 20 feet away, I think people are gonna notice skewed labelling, and that would look worse imo.

I was trying to look at the systainer to see if there was anywhere else labelling could take place where the surface was smoother, or less cumbersome to deal with in placing into whatever labelling apparatus would be used, but I don't really see anything viable.  I had thought maybe the latches could be labelled along with the stickers, but the latches have the same surface as the outside body of the systainers.  The only places that don't - other than the interiors - is the outside edge of the handles, and the circled ressessed area that the handle rests into.  Not much you could do with that. 

Of course doing both direct printing and sticker labels would cost more as well.  It's hard to come up with something that is equal or superior to what was originally offered, and I think it's simply an issue of what is the most acceptible compromise at this point.

Btw, Peter, I think you do the eggshell dance very well. 

Brice,
What about scratch resistance?

Jon

You can ship my two with decals

The working temp for the adhesive is down to at least 40 below F.

Peter

Send one this way Peter. I'm sure I can do a -30 temperature test right now 

I agree.
Just can't wait to get my mits on them!