Brady’s M21 guide distinguishes flexible nylon wraps, self-laminating labels and PermaSleeve heat-shrink sleeves. Choose the format for the cable and the stage of the work before choosing a cartridge colour.
For self-laminating material, part of the label is a clear tail that covers the printed section. The full label dimension is larger than its print-on height.
Three different formats
Nylon B-499 is described for wrapping or flagging wires and cables. B-427 self-laminating vinyl adds a clear protective wrap over the print. PermaSleeve B-312/B-342 sleeves fit over the wire and shrink with heat.
The sleeve must be sized for the wire and installed before termination. A wrap-around label can be applied around an already terminated cable when the product’s size and application instructions allow it.
| Format | What to measure | Installation distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon wrap or flag | Cable diameter and required label length | Flexible material for the curve. |
| Self-laminating wrap | Printable zone and clear tail coverage | Overall label size includes overlaminate. |
| Heat-shrink sleeve | Specified sleeve diameter or wire range | Fit before termination; apply heat as directed. |
Keep material and printer fit together
After choosing the format, check the exact M21 reference against the machine. Some pre-sized references are M210/M211 only, even when a continuous product uses a similar material.
A material description is not a substitute for the cartridge code. Record both the format and full SKU when ordering replacements.