Welllll, does "kinda" typed count?

I collect stones on the beach, about the size of my palm. I measure the flat surface where I want to print the name of my plant. Then, using my MSPublisher program, I pull out a text box that size. I type in the name of the plant and start playing with fonts and sizes till I'm happy with the look. Then I print it out. This is where the computer and I part ways.

Using carbon paper, I transfer the font to the face of the stone. I then use craft paint or paint pens to permanently print the plant name on the rock. A few coats of spray poly and the stone is ready to sit in the garden.

Might not be quite the answer you were looking for, but it's what I do.

I'm not sure how long these will last, but I do the same thing for my Yard Sale Signs and they are holding up pretty well.

Print out the labels on a sheet of paper and then laminate them. Once laminated you can glue them onto the markers with a construction type adhesive designed for use outside. I would use the business card size so that you don't have to cut them after they are laminated. I plan on making some myself, but just haven't gotten around to it.

Foil tape, available at hardward stores. Write in ballpoint pen BEFORE putting onto a marker and you'll get a better imprint.

Love the idea of the stones, but how do you get them to stay put through fall and spring clean-up?

Foofna, I bring the stones in each year. When I'm doing my end of the season clean-up, I collect all the stones in a basket. I rinse them off and keep them in the house till the plants re-emerge in the spring and the new mulch has been applied. I have to occasionally give them a new coating of poly, but I've had most of them for 4 years now.
{{gwi:292067}}

Thanks for your wonderful tip about the labeling. I am tired of the little plastic markers fading and not knowing which seeds I have ,in each row. The so called permanant markers just do not stay permanant once the sun has been on them for a short while.
I shall copy your idea and use it for my seed beds,fetching them out every spring.

I just read in another forum about cutting plastic strip from milk jugs and using an engraver to write the name in. I am going to try this one myself.

I have gone through a myriad of labelling choices, and inevitably all have ended up fading, breaking or getting lost over time. I sell plants from home so it is doubly important to have the plants correctly marked and visible as buyers can then identify the plants they like. I sell seeds I collect, so it it vital that I know which colour, variety etc I am collecting from. (It's amazing how you can forget when they are all in seed! :>) So, this year on the advice of other 'professional' growers, I bought a Brother digital labeller- I got it very reasonbly on eBay- and have bought the tapes very reasonably too- I chose a model that doesn't use the most expensive tape. I bought a 1000 metal plant markers (I have a LOT of plants!), and am having so much fun labelling! The metal markers turned out to be perfect for gluing signs on for farmer's market sales too! This is my first year with the labels, but from the research I have done, it looks like they will last for years, and they really do look nice in the garden. The labels can obviously be used for other uses too around the house.

Raehelen,
Where do you get your markers and labels at a good price?

Diane
Your system is wonderful...have you ever thought about selling those stone markers? I live near the beach and love rocks. Here in S.CT we have rocks all over the place and this would be a great winter project.

If you email me, I can tell you exactly how they're done. Easy enough, just time-consuming (isn't everything, though?).

Never thought to offer them for sale. Hmmmmmm.