Hmmm. I don't know what "band type" markers ARE. But I can tell you how to make very cheap durable markers, if you don't already know.

Buy some cheap plastic window blinds at Walmart -- they're about $3.00 . Then cut each slat into about 4-5 pieces, depending on how long you want each marker to be. Et voila -- you get about a bazillion markers for $3 . Not bad!

To write on these or any other plant marker, I recommend INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH Sharpie markers -- NOT the regular Sharpies. You can get them at places like Lowes or HD, but NOT at Walmart (at least I haven't found them there).

I'm after the kind that goes around the stem not stuck in the dirt.. kinda like the old type trash bag closures before the handle-tie marketing scam.

Okay, I get yer drift.

I don't much like that kind. It seems to me that they are always getting too tight, or the branch they are on dies, or some such. But they certainly don't tend to fall out of the pots as the others do!

I use paint pens that can be purchased at places like Hobby Lobby or Michael's to write on the markers made from blinds. They won't fade like the Sharpie markers. Regular #2 pencils work well, won't fade, but are more difficult to read.

You can still use the blind idea. Just staple the cut blind around the stem. You can even cut the blind in half length wise to make narrower ones. Blinds make the cheapest and most lasting of markers.

That or use masking tape, just fold the middle(around the stem) in half before putting on plant.

I have seen the band type on ebay.

Mary

Ann--these aren't the regular sharpies, so they hold up better. And I dunno about you, but my pencil labels HAVE faded -- and/or smudged -- when written on the blind-labels. Yuck!