For companies committed to continuous improvement, efficiency, and organization, a strong labeling system can make all the difference. Whether you’re informally optimizing workflows or strictly following methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, or 6S, having the right 5S labeling system helps eliminate waste, ensure traceability, and improve workflow visibility.

At Neumann Marking Solutions, we specialize in industrial 5S label printers that make in-house labeling easy, cost-effective, and efficient. Our most recommended system? The TSC TTP345 desktop label printer combined with our 3” and 4” continuous polyolefin label rolls.

This combination provides:

✅ Versatility – Print custom-sized labels from a continuous roll.
✅ Durability – Weather-resistant, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
✅ Cost savings – In-house labeling reduces outsourcing costs.
✅ Lean-friendly – Supports 5S inventory labels, 5S equipment labels, and Poka Yoke labeling.

See what Small & Medium Manufacturers use for label printing here.

Why 5S Labeling Matters in Industrial Operations

Many industrial facilities, from metalworking shops to manufacturing plants, struggle with:

❌ Disorganized inventory – Parts misplaced or lost.
❌ Inefficient labeling methods – Handwritten marks that fade or smudge.
❌ Wasted time – Employees searching for missing parts.
❌ Quality control issues – Misidentified materials or incomplete tracking.

By implementing a 5S label maker system, companies can eliminate these inefficiencies and create clear, professional labels that improve traceability, compliance, and efficiency.

Proven Success: Real-World Case Studies

RHK Hydraulic Cylinder Services – Organizing Metal Inventory for Lean Operations

RHK Hydraulics needed a better system for tracking metal bar, tube, and plate stock in their shop. Their old method—using paint pen markers—was time-consuming, less professional, and sometimes illegible.

By switching to the TSC TTP345 label printer with our 3” continuous polyolefin rolls, RHK:

✔ Improved errors from unreadable handwritten markings.
✔ Streamlined warehouse organization with clear, scannable labels.
✔ Reduced waste by ensuring every piece of metal was accurately identified.

Now, their warehouse is more organized, more efficient, and completely Lean-friendly.

See the Label Printer and Supplies that RHK uses here.

Door Manufacturer – Multi-Purpose Labeling for Lean Efficiency

During a Lean Group Tour at RHK Hydraulics, a door manufacturing company discovered the TSC label printing system and saw how it could transform their operations.

They quickly implemented 3” and 4” continuous labels for:

✅ Wooden skids & crates – Labels that withstand outdoor storage.
✅ Cardboard boxes for door slabs – Clear product identification.
✅ Pallets of shrink-wrapped materials – Durable labels that adhere even in challenging conditions.

By integrating 5S labeling ideas into their workflow, they improved inventory management and reduced labeling errors, ensuring a more efficient supply chain process.

Machine Shop Case Study – How Marc Transformed Quality Control with Labeling

Marc, a Quality Control professional at a machine shop, faced significant challenges:

🔹 Metal parts thrown into boxes with no identification.
🔹 Handwritten paint pen marks were unreliable and faded over time.
🔹 High material costs – Some metals cost up to $1,000 per inch, and losing track of them meant wasted money.
🔹 Labor-intensive process – Up to four employees spent time hand-marking 4,000+ parts per year.

The Labeling Solution:

Marc implemented the TSC TTP345 label printer with 3” polyolefin labels. Now, he:

✔ Prints durable, legible labels that meet compliance.
✔ Applies multiple labels along each bar stock for instant traceability.
✔ Eliminated risk of carpal tunnel syndrome by replacing hours of manual handwriting.
✔ Streamlined the job to just a few hours per day instead of a multi-person task.

Beyond metal labeling, Marc’s shop also labels SDS bottles, creates professional colour-coded tags, and has significantly reduced financial costs—producing labels for under 10 cents each instead of outsourcing expensive pre-printed tags.

See what Label Printer & Supplies that Machine Shops are using here:

Colour-Coded Labels and Tags for Poka Yoke & 2-Bin System Labeling

For manufacturers implementing Poka Yoke (error-proofing) and Lean visual management, colour-coded labels provide an instant, visual way to track job status, materials, and parts flow.

Marc’s machine shop implemented a cost-effective colour-coded tagging system, assigning specific colours to different workflows:

🔴 Red = Non-Conformance Reports (NCR)
🔵 Blue = Jobs leaving the facility & returning
🟡 Yellow = Jobs on hold
🟢 Green = Jobs in process, staying in one facility
⚪ White = Completed & ready for final customer delivery

By using 5S label printers, his team improved:

✔ Workflow organization – Colour-coded tags guide shop floor processes.
✔ Stability & traceability – Employees instantly recognize work status.
✔ Label adhesion – Even on dirty carbon steel surfaces, labels stay in place.

Watch this short video to see how companies label their inventory and products quickly and effectively with our system. 

EPSON ColorWorks for Poka Yoke & 2-Bin Systems

If you’re looking for colour-coded labels for a 2-bin system or Poka Yoke applications, consider an EPSON ColorWorks industrial label printer such as the C4000, C6000, or C6500.

These full-colour label printers allow you to:

✅ Print colour-coded date labels for quick expiration tracking.
✅ Enhance workflow visualization with full-colour Lean & 5S labels.
✅ Reduce errors by using high-visibility markings for different materials.

🔗 Explore the EPSON ColorWorks printer collection:

EPSON ColorWorks Printers

▶ Want to see real-world examples of how colour-coded labels streamline the 2-bin inventory system? Watch this great video:

 2-Bin System with Colour Labels

Take Your Labeling to the Next Level

Whether you need basic 5S labeling, durable industrial labels, or colour-coded Poka Yoke solutions, Neumann Marking Solutions has you covered.

🔹 Looking for a versatile 5S label printer? Try the TSC TTP345 desktop printer.
🔹 Need colour-coded Poka Yoke labels? Consider an EPSON ColorWorks printer.
🔹 Want expert guidance? We’re here to help!

📞 Contact us today toll free at 1-800-268-7636 or locally at 780-434-9152, and start optimizing your Lean and 5S labeling system!