I'm a hospitality high school teacher looking to label kitchen equipment like pots and pans at different stations so students can be responsible for specific dishes. I initially thought of using colored electrical tape, assigning a different color to each station. However, I've learned that while electrical tape is water-resistant, it won't hold up well in a dishwasher, especially an industrial one. I'm seeking recommendations for tape that can withstand multiple wash cycles, with at least five distinct colors available. If tape isn't the best option, I'd also appreciate alternative ideas for marking solutions! Thank you!
3 Answers
You might want to try using an engraving tool to mark the equipment. After engraving, you can fill the grooves with a high-quality enamel paint for durability—it could definitely take the heat from wash cycles and provide a lasting solution!
Paint pens could also work for this! Just keep in mind that you'll want to check if they're waterproof once applied on stainless steel. They can provide nice color and detail, but I'm not sure how they hold up in dishwashers, so you'd have to test that.
Good point! I've never used paint pens either, but I'd be curious to find out how well they hold up in long run.
Gaffer tape is a solid choice! It's durable and comes in various colors, making it easy to label your stations. It sticks well and is often used in settings where things need to be marked without leaving a mess behind.

That's a clever idea! Enamel should hold up pretty well, just make sure it's non-toxic since it's for kitchen use.