helo I have tried so many things for marking my plants, and for out in the garden I herd you can use small diamiter pvc pipe and write on them with paint pens. I have not yet tried this but I plan to. for small pots and flats I reuse plastic markers. sorry I can't help more but I have tried wooden markers painted wooden markers minni blinds plastic forks small plastis plant markers rocks popsickle sticks I was going to try to make some fired clay markers but I have not had time to run the klin. if you know anyone that dose pottery you might want to ask them if they can make you some. good luck if you find any good ideas please let me know michelle

we all know they are H. ... so i leave that off.. thats 4 spaces ... including blanks on each side ... then i figured out.. that on my tags.. i can get 14 to 16 characters per line .... then i figured out.. that i can fit two rows of tape per tag ... then i figure out that i could get 3 rows.. if i cut the top and bottom ones at the top of the writing.. and the bottom ... and then i figured out... that if i used no spaces between different names ... i could run out a 12 to 15 inch tape of names and only waste the lead and follow on said tape ... and a small pair of very sharp scissors to cut in between names .. but i do use space inside names that will fit in one row the lakeside names are maddening.. when you add that.. and i use all caps ... to not waste tape on quote marks ... so my tape would look something like this: TOY SOLDIERABBYJUNELAKESIDESURF RIDERLIBERTYVICTORY ... etc until the machine tells me no more spaces available ... make any sense???? i then take the cut piece with the name ... with the backing still on... and center it ... and note which letter is under which hole... so that when i take the backing off.. i can line it up and get it basically centered ... i also polish the zinc tags with a dry wash cloth to insure there are no dust speck prior to sticking the tape on ... then just before i press down the last corner.. i take one last look.. to see just how crooked it is.. lol ... if you look real close at the tag.. you will see lines in the zinc .. part of the manufacturing process ... and those can be used to make the label basically straight ... ken below is a picture of a 15 year old tag .. note the A and D are basically right below the holes ps: if you audience doesnt know they are H. .. or hosta.. get some better friends.. lol .... though i do put full latin on everything else in the yard ....

Laser printers won't work...the ink will wash away. I'm not sure about copiers. You might call a Kinkos type shop and ask if they can print on an inkjet. Another suggestion might be to print out your character. Then using a light box or similar set up transfer the outside lines of the characters to light colored fabric using pigma pens. Fill in using fabric paint and something called textile extender (or glaze, maybe). This will make the paint easier to use and less stiff when dry.

Julie, I bought a piece of acrylic today. It's about 12" x 12" and cost a little over $1. They have acrylic cutters for about $3.00. The problem, from what the salesman said, is that it's difficult to cut anything but squares and rectangles. I want to make hexagons thats why I just bought a small piece to play with. Then you cut strips of acrylic and glue them on the back to make stakes. It'll have to be some sort of waterproof epoxy. Haven't gotten that far yet. After I write on them I'm going to seal them with a clear acrylic glossy sealer. I might even paint some flowers on them with outdoor acrylic craft paint. When you go to Lowe's just ask someone where the pieces of clear acrylic are. They knew right away what I was looking for. Let me know how you make out. Mariann