Whether it is the elegant requirements of architectural signs, meeting ADA (Americans with Disabilities ACT) wayfinding requirements, or durable safety signs that survive rugged environments how you make the sign matters.
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Leading Marks is an authorized distributor of the GravoTech engraving systems and the MAX USA Bepop 4-color thermal printers. Specializing in identification requirements, Leading Marks believes in presenting options that allow the customer options to meet the expectations of the job and work within the available budget for the capital investment.

If you are not sure investing in capital equipment for your label and sign needs makes sense, Leading Marks also provides stocked and made-to-order solutions too. When these needs arise, it is always helpful to understand your needs.

​It is also helpful to know the environment for which the label and sign will be used, and the driving need for it. With this information we can recommend the applicable material the sign should be made of meeting ANSI and OSHA requirements. Artwork in digital format expedites the ability to respond quickly.

Common standard and customized signs are available for biohazard and hazardous materials, safety, first aid, lockout tagout, machine operation and personal protection. Even rugged applications for aerial, pipelines, substations, traffic signals and other rugged industrial or construction site requirements.

This article is part of the Fundamentals Series, a collection of in-depth guides covering essential marking technologies and processes. Explore the full series here to gain deeper insights into industrial marking solutions.

In July 2023, the Department of Labor made a significant announcement aimed at fortifying workplace safety across the nation. The unveiling of a new national emphasis program specifically targets warehouses and distribution centers, recognizing the unique challenges and potential hazards inherent in these environments. With a focus on reducing and preventing workplace hazards, this initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding the well-being of employees across diverse industries.

From the OSHA News Release:

"In the past 10 years, warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth with more than 1.9 million people employed in the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows injury and illness rates for these establishments are higher than in private industry overall and, in some sectors, more than twice the rate of private industry.

"Our enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. "This emphasis program allows OSHA to direct resources to establishments where evidence shows employers must be more intentional in addressing the root causes of worker injuries and align their business practices with the goal to ensure worker health and safety."

Under this three-year emphasis program, OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress and fire protection.

The Department of Labor's initiative comes as a proactive response to the evolving landscape of workplace safety. Warehouses and distribution centers, pivotal components of the supply chain, often contend with a multitude of hazards ranging from tripping and fall risks to more complex issues like equipment identification and emergency evacuation procedures.

What can you start to do right now to address this three year focus program is a comprehensive evaluation of your signage. 

Edited by Bernard Martin

Max BePOP printers are cutting-edge machines that combine high-quality printing and precise cutting capabilities, making them ideal for sign and label production. With a range of advanced features, these printers cater to various industries, offering unparalleled efficiency and versatility. In this article, we will explore the key features of Max BePOP printers, highlight the industries they are best suited for, and provide application examples that showcase their exceptional capabilities.

High-Quality Printing
Max BePOP printers utilize advanced printing technologies to deliver sharp, vibrant, and professional-quality prints. Whether it's intricate designs, text, or images, these printers ensure accurate reproduction with stunning color accuracy.

Precise Cutting:
Alongside printing, Max BePOP machines excel at precise cutting. With their integrated cutting systems, these printers can effortlessly create custom-shaped labels, stickers, and signs, saving time and eliminating the need for manual cutting.

Versatility in Media Handling
Max BePOP printers are designed to handle a wide range of materials, including vinyl, adhesive films, paper, textiles, and more. This versatility allows for the creation of labels and signs for various applications, such as product labeling, retail displays, event signage, and industrial safety signs.

User-Friendly Software
The accompanying software for Max BePOP printers offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the printing and cutting process. It enables users to import designs, adjust settings, and precisely position and resize graphics, ensuring seamless production and minimal wastage.

Retail and Point-of-Sale (POS)
The Max BePOP printers find extensive use in the retail industry for creating eye-catching product labels, shelf tags, and promotional signage. The ability to print and cut on-demand allows for quick updates and customization to match changing marketing strategies.

Packaging and Labeling
Max BePOP printers are well-suited for packaging and labeling applications. They enable the production of high-quality product labels, barcode stickers, and packaging inserts, ensuring brand consistency and compliance with industry standards.

Manufacturing and Industrial
In the manufacturing sector, Max BePOP printers streamline the production of industrial labels and safety signs. They can swiftly create warning labels, equipment tags, and instructional signs, enhancing workplace safety and efficiency.

Events and Exhibitions
Max BePOP printers are valuable assets for event organizers, enabling the creation of banners, posters, backdrops, and signage. With quick turnarounds and precise cutting capabilities, these printers cater to the dynamic and time-sensitive nature of event promotions.

Beverage Bottling
Max BePOP printers allow beverage manufacturers to produce custom labels for their bottles, showcasing branding elements, nutritional information, and regulatory details accurately. The precise cutting feature ensures labels fit perfectly, enhancing the product's overall appeal.

Retail Store Signage
Retailers can utilize Max BePOP printers to design and print vibrant window displays, hanging signs, and floor decals. The ability to cut various shapes enables the creation of attention-grabbing visual merchandising elements, attracting customers and boosting sales.

Warehouse and Logistics
Max BePOP printers find utility in the logistics industry, where labels play a crucial role in inventory management and tracking. These printers can generate barcode labels, shipping tags, and custom packaging labels, improving operational efficiency and reducing errors.

Join Leading Mark on Tuesday May 3 in Kersey, PA or Thursday May 5 in Erie, PA from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm for the Manufacturing Advanced Expo showcasing the latest advancements in automation technology, robotics, manufacturing, and how they affect and compliment the skilled workforce in northwest Pennsylvania.

​Vendors will demonstrate the latest manufacturing technology for a smarter and more productive shop floor.   Educational sessions will highlight advanced technology and applications.  

In addition to the MAX Bepop and Letatwin printers on display in our booth, you can also learn about the full range of industrial identification solutions available from Leading Marks. This includes direct-part marking lasers, dot peen, and impact marking, handheld and in-line ink systems and industrial equipment such as air filtration, soldering irons and work benches.

Leading Marks can help you with traceability from the shop floor where machine to machine communication and data-collection is crucial to mobilizing reporting from the warehouse or in the field.

Traceability is common for collection, look-up and sharing of data. Whether it is Asset Tracking, EH&S Inspections, QA/QC Controls, Work-in-process, Assembly builds, or Field Service reporting industry is driving the need for traceability from cradle to grave. Why is traceability important for your organization?

What’s the value-add with the potential of data collected through mobile apps or plant-floor software packages?

• Auto-trigger of reports and work orders based on data collected
• Quicker reporting
• Query and filter of data
• Minimize down-time on the production line or field operation
• Trends & variations evaluation

MAX has been recognized worldwide as a leader of industrial tools and office products. The MAX thermal printers can be found in manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, educational & health care facilities and many more. Thermal printing solutions include the Letatwin and Bepop printers.

The MAX LETATWIN LM-550A2BH is portable, high speed thermal transfer printer is ideal for control panel marking, wire numbering, and device labeling. Using thermal transfer technology, it is ideal for printing directly onto heat-shrink and PVC tubing and for printing on MAX polyester tapes for marker strip labeling.

Unique features include the ability to make half-cut or full cut parts, a warming element and optional battery power capability. The enhanced MAX software LETATWIN PC Editor and driver can be downloaded from the  MAX USA website.

Connect to a computer and print directly to the machine, or save marker data to the machine's large internal memory and take it with you on-site. Engineered for high productivity and robust environments, including a shock resistant rubber keyboard, you will use your LETATWIN trouble free for many years to come.

Sourcing labels and signs can often be a challenge and not permit you to meet the delivery requirement without a minimum charge. This is where the MAX Bepop printers allow you to capitalize on your investment by permitting you to print on-demand with the specific message needed for the situation.

The Bepop printers are 4-color thermal printer that can print in standard ANSI color or 4-color CMYK high resolution colors. In addition to a 1” per second print speed, it cuts labels to size or outline shape without the need of costly dies at 4.7” per second.

The user-friendly software allows you to design labels for your needs or utilize standard templates pre-stored in the library. A complete library of standard icons are also included with the software. The Bepop printers come in two model sizes; one for 4” wide materials and one for 8” materials.

Matalco Inc.’s three operations are strategically located in Brampton, ON, Canton, OH, and their state-of-the-art $100 million facility in Lordstown, OH positioned them as the largest remelter in North America. 

At their Canton, Ohio, facility, Matalco makes new products and aluminum billets from recycled materials.  They are using the Bepop printer to make safety-related labels and PPE diagrams. 

​In addition, Matalco is making labels for things around the plant to improve visual literacy such as daily production information, safety metrics, and labels for hard hats to show certification information.   They plan on expanding their use of the tool to label storage locations to make sure things are put away and improve efficiency.

Before they purchased the  MaxUSA Bepop printer, Matalco would have to call a graphics designer, create a PO, have it printed elsewhere, and pick the labels up.  According to Emily Seibert, the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at the Canton facility, “Today if we have an idea, boom, we can do it today.  We don’t have to wait a week…we can do it right here.”  

​Emily stated that the system was pretty easy to use and user-friendly from the start, particularly f you are familiar with Microsoft tools like Powerpoint and Paint.
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The information for this testimonial from Leading Mark’s customer came from the video shown below.  Watch it to learn more about Matalco’s experience with the MaxUSA Bepop CPM-100HG5 label printer.

Looking Ahead to 2021 we are excited about the solutions our vendor partners are providing to manufacturing operations, construction projects and food processing requirements. Whether your needs are for marking or the related equipment Leading Marks is prepared to help evaluate your applications with sample marks with the various technologies.

We strive to better understand your requirements based on the industry specifications, product and/or substrates to be marked, the environment it is subject to, available budget and other expectations that apply.

To better acquaint you to the product solutions and the limited ability to visit during these continued uncharted times, we are preparing a schedule of webinars with our vendors. If you want to be alerted to the workshops, please email [email protected].

Exciting things are in store in 2021 as Leading Marks continues to Identify Solutions to suit your needs.Happy New Year!

Leading Marks is pleased to announce special savings on the MaxBepop CPM-100HG5 label printer.

• Act now to and save $1000.00 on the CPM-100HG5. 
• This promotion runs from now until the end of June 2020.

This MAX USA Bepop label printer gives you the freedom to create your own custom signs and labels as needed.  Prepare for your re-opening during Covid-19 and solve your labeling and signage requirements with handy solution. No waiting for shipping and no minimum order requirements; print what your want, when you need it.  This package includes:

• CPM-100HG5 label printer
• 2 rolls of tape
• 2 ribbons
• an internal cutting system to cut the labels to size
• software to make it easy to edit labels

Contact Laurie Barcaskey to schedule, at your convenience, a web demo to see this product in action. 

Call her at 412-366-4733.

Download the Promo Flyer below the video.