How to label a SDHC card

[Calvin Bellows]

I am wondering how to go about labeling a SDHC card. I thought I could keep the cards for different projects separated but that isn't going so well. There is no space to write on the cards. I don't know what pens I can use to write on the cards. Can you write on the hard plastic part or do you have to find a spot on the label. I was just thinking about writing a letter on the back on one. I don't know what do you guys think?

[Bob Richardson]

I've written numbers on the back (non-label) side of SD cards using a fine-point _silver_ sharpie (much more visible than black when writing on a blue card).

There are various SD card wallets / storage cases out there for multiple cards... you could number each card and then keep an index on a piece of paper or large label in the storage case.

But a more important question: Has anyone done a serious study of the shelf life of data stored on SD/SDHC cards? (As compared to archiving on hard drives, DVD-R, etc.)

[Shaun Walker]

I might start using sharpie dots/dashes and maybe three letter codes or probably just dates for simple organizational labeling -- will work especially well on the whitish Delkin 16GB Class 6 cards I just got. The push-button topped sharpie will be handy for quick field labeling.


- different numbers of dots ... 060509 *, 060509 **, etc.?

- different colors? (red dash will mean card full??)

- then promptly put the cards for each project in a card-organizing page in a binder or at first in a sturdy/protective card wallet stored safely in zipped pants/shorts pocket?

- back up to Firewire bus-powered miniRAID in the field after downloading to laptop

[Sean Adair]

labels generally aren't recommended, but the thin plastic labels printed with my brother labelmaker fit very neatly into the indent of the card, and I feel good about them.
Just make sure they are trimmed to fit, and keep an eye out for lifted edges.

fine point sharpie makes sense though...