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Museum Object Labels

DTL · DRY TRANSFER LETTERS
MUSEUM OBJECT LABELS
Trusted by museums & collection managers

Museum Object Labels That Look Like They Were Printed On.

Crisp, legible identification labels for individual artifacts, specimens, and collection objects — applied directly to cases, mounts, or surfaces with a finish that reads as part of the display, not a sticker on top of it. Archival-quality, dry-transfer application — no adhesive backing, no residue.

3–5 DAY PRODUCTION  ·  FREE FEDEX 2-DAY SHIPPING, ARRIVES IN 5–7 BUSINESS DAYS TOTAL  ·  FREE SAMPLE BEFORE YOU COMMIT  ·  NO MINIMUM ORDER
Object label applied inside a museum case beside a ceramic ring vessel
The specimen card

Built for the Case, Not the Wall

Object labels do a different job than wall captions. They sit close to the piece — inside a case, on a mount, or beside a specimen — where size, glare, and viewing distance are unforgiving. Ours are engineered for that: fine type that stays legible at 8–12 inches, a low-glare finish, and application that follows the exact contour of your case or plinth.

01 / LEGIBILITY

Legible up close

Optimized letterforms for short viewing distances.

02 / FINISH

Low-glare finish

Reads clearly under case lighting.

03 / SURFACE

Case & mount ready

Applies to glass, acrylic, painted metal, coated wood.

Close-up of an object label on glass, showing crisp type detail beside a ceramic vessel
The process

From File to Finished Case in Under a Week

01

Send your label copy & sizing — object name, accession number, description, whatever your collection standard requires.

02

We proof it — you approve exact type, size, and layout before production.

03

We produce & ship — 3–5 business days production, free FedEx 2-day shipping, arrives in 5–7 business days total.

04

You apply — full instructions included; most labels take under a minute each once you've done your first one.

Four panel sequence: proofing the layout, the uncut label sheet, applying a label with a burnishing tool, and the finished label on a case

Surface compatibility: Best on smooth, sealed surfaces — glass, acrylic, painted or coated metal and wood. Not recommended for unsealed wood, brick, stucco, or other textured/porous surfaces. Not sure about your case material? Send us a photo — we'll tell you straight whether this is the right fit, or point you to an alternative.

Also used for custom exhibit labels, specimen labels in natural history collections, and identification labels for photograph and archive collections.

Try before you order

Not Sure Yet? Test It On Your Actual Case First.

We'll send a free sample label — your choice of type style, size, and one of our standard colors — so you can check legibility, finish, and adhesion on your own display before ordering. Ships USPS, arrives in 3–5 business days.

Sample envelope opened flat beside a sheet of example labels in different type styles
The ledger

Simple, Per-Label Pricing

Priced by sheet size — shipping included. Object labels are available in one color only (black, white, or charcoal), and are supplied on a full sheet that you cut into individual labels, so one sheet typically covers many objects.

Sheet Size Price (One Color)
8.5" x 11" — fits multiple 2"x4" object labels (Most Ordered) $140.00
9" x 12" $150.00
11" x 14" $165.00
12" x 18" $185.00
16" x 20" $210.00
18" x 24" $245.00
Larger or custom sheet sizes Contact us for a quote

Most museums order: the 8.5" x 11" sheet in black or white — two of the three available colors (black, white, or charcoal), chosen for legibility in exhibit conditions. Start here if you're not sure.

Quick estimate

How many labels fit on a sheet depends on your label size and margins — not an exact science, but here's a rough estimate:

≈ 24 labels per sheet

This is a rough approximation (0.25" gutter assumed between labels, no rotation). Actual yield depends on your text length, font size, and layout — request a free sample or a quote for an exact count on your specific labels.

FREE SAMPLE BEFORE YOU ORDER. IF YOUR FIRST FULL ORDER DOESN'T MATCH YOUR SAMPLE'S QUALITY, WE'LL REMAKE IT AT NO CHARGE.
Ruler beside a label showing true-to-scale size reference
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these labels archival quality?

Yes — the material and inks are formulated to resist yellowing, cracking, and fading under normal gallery and storage conditions, and won't off-gas or chemically react with the object or case over time.

Are they acid-free?

Yes, the label material is acid-free, which matters if the label sits near or directly on a sensitive object, mount, or archival housing.

Are they removable or non-damaging?

Since there's no adhesive backing, they don't leave residue and won't damage the surface underneath when removed or replaced — unlike sticker or adhesive labels.

Do these work for specimen labels or photograph archive collections, not just art?

Yes — natural history specimens, archival photograph collections, and general collection-management labeling all use the same application. If your labeling standard differs from a typical art museum caption, send us your format and we'll match it.

What surfaces work best for object labels?

Smooth, sealed surfaces — glass, acrylic, coated metal, sealed or painted wood. Avoid unsealed wood, brick, or other porous/textured surfaces.

Are these permanent?

No — they're a durable, semi-permanent rub-on transfer designed to hold up well under normal gallery conditions (handling, cleaning, humidity changes), but they can be removed if you need to update or relocate a label. If you need a truly permanent, decades-long physical plaque, let us know — we can point you to the right alternative.

Can I update label text later if information changes?

Yes — since it's not permanent, mislabeled or updated pieces can be redone without damaging the case or mount.

Do you cut the labels for us?

Labels ship on full sheets; you cut to your exact placement. We include cutting guides and can walk you through it if it's your first order.

What if I have accession numbers, multiple languages, or a house style guide?

Send us your label template or existing style guide — we'll match type, spacing, and format across your whole collection so labels stay consistent case to case.

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Finished museum case display with multiple labeled objects and identification plaques