Lumber Kiln Tags

High-Temperature Tags for Tracking Lumber Through the Kiln Process

IBC Kiln Tags are designed for wood products manufacturers, sawmills, and lumber operations that need to maintain product identification from green wood through kiln drying and into planer operations.

Traditional labels and tags can fail when exposed to the extreme temperatures, moisture, and demanding conditions found inside industrial kilns. IBC provides purpose-built kiln tag solutions designed to remain identifiable through the drying process, helping manufacturers maintain continuity of product tracking as bundled lumber moves through production.

Our kiln tag solutions are available in two temperature-rated constructions to accommodate different kiln environments and process requirements.

Standard Kiln Tag — Rated to 300°F

Our standard kiln tag is designed for kiln applications with temperatures up to 300°F (149°C).

High-Temperature Kiln Tag — Rated to 600°F

For more demanding applications, our high-temperature kiln tag is rated for temperatures up to 600°F (316°C).

Track Wood Products From Green Wood to Planer

Kiln tags can provide a persistent identification point as lumber moves through multiple stages of production.

A typical tracking process can follow the bundle through:

Sawmill / Green Wood → Kiln Queue → Kiln → Kiln Exit → Planer Infeed

This provides manufacturers with a physical identification method that stays with the lumber as it moves through the facility.

Depending on the operation, the tag can contain information such as:

• Bundle number
• Lumber species
• Grade
• Dimensions
• Piece count
• Production date
• Kiln number
• Kiln charge
• Drying schedule
• Lot number
• Customer information
• Barcode
• 2D barcode
• QR code
• RFID

The information printed or encoded on the tag can be customized to match your production and inventory requirements.

Designed for Kiln Environments

Kiln environments present unique challenges for identification systems.

Tags may be exposed to:

• Temperatures up to 300°F or 600°F
• High humidity
• Rapid temperature changes
• Condensation
• Moisture
• Heat cycles
• Handling and abrasion
• Lumber movement
• Forklift handling
• Outdoor storage before and after kiln processing

IBC can help select the appropriate tag construction based on your kiln temperature, exposure time, handling requirements, and identification method.

Two Temperature-Rated Options

Standard Kiln Tags — Up to 300°F

IBC Standard Kiln Tags are designed for lumber and wood products operations where kiln temperatures reach up to 300°F.

They provide a practical solution for identifying bundles through the kiln process while maintaining the information needed for downstream tracking.

Temperature Rating: Up to 300°F / 149°C

Typical applications include:

• Green lumber bundles
• Kiln charge identification
• Lumber inventory
• Kiln scheduling
• Kiln exit identification
• Planer infeed tracking

High-Temperature Kiln Tags — Up to 600°F

For applications requiring greater temperature resistance, IBC High-Temperature Kiln Tags are rated for temperatures up to 600°F.

These tags are designed for particularly demanding high-temperature applications where standard kiln tags may not provide sufficient temperature performance.

Temperature Rating: Up to 600°F / 316°C

IBC can help determine whether the standard or high-temperature construction is appropriate for your specific process.

Important: Actual performance depends on the complete tag construction, exposure duration, printing method, attachment method, and kiln environment. IBC can help evaluate your application to determine the appropriate material.

Barcode & Machine-Readable Identification

Kiln tags can be designed for machine-readable identification, allowing bundle information to move from physical tags into digital production and inventory systems.

Possible identification technologies include:

• Code 128
• GS1-128
• Data Matrix
• QR codes
• Other 2D barcodes
• RFID

Barcodes can be scanned as bundles move between production areas, reducing manual data entry and providing more accurate inventory information.

For operations implementing RFID, kiln tags can also be designed as part of a larger RFID tracking solution where the tag and RFID technology are appropriate for the temperature and process environment.

From Kiln to Planer

One of the most important benefits of a kiln tag is maintaining the identity of a bundle after it leaves the kiln.

The tag can provide a link between:

Green Lumber → Kiln Charge → Dried Lumber → Planer → Finished Product → Inventory

This allows production systems to associate the dried lumber with its original production information and kiln history.

At the planer infeed, the tag can be scanned to identify the bundle before it enters the next stage of processing.

This can help eliminate manual bundle identification and improve the accuracy of production and inventory records.

Built for Lumber & Wood Products

IBC Kiln Tags can be used across a wide range of wood products operations.

Applications include:

• Sawmills
• Lumber manufacturers
• Hardwood producers
• Softwood producers
• Remanufacturers
• Engineered wood manufacturers
• Specialty wood products
• Kiln drying operations
• Planer mills
• Wood products distribution

Whether you’re tracking individual bundles or thousands of units through a large-scale operation, IBC can help develop a tag and identification system around your workflow.

Custom Kiln Tag Options

Every sawmill handles lumber differently. IBC can configure kiln tags around your process.

Available options may include:

• Custom dimensions
• Custom shapes
• Pre-printed information
• Variable data
• Serialized numbering
• Barcodes
• 2D barcodes
• RFID
• Logos and branding
• Color identification
• Different attachment methods
• Thermal-transfer printable constructions

Tags can be supplied blank for on-site printing or pre-printed and serialized by IBC.

Thermal-Transfer Printable

For operations that need to print variable information on demand, IBC can supply kiln tags compatible with thermal-transfer printing systems.

This allows operators to print information such as:

• Bundle numbers
• Kiln charge numbers
• Production dates
• Product dimensions
• Grade
• Species
• Barcodes
• QR codes
• Tracking information

IBC can also help specify the appropriate printer and ribbon combination for the tag material and operating environment.

Kiln Tag Traceability

A kiln tag can become part of a larger wood products traceability system.

For example:

1. Green Wood

Bundle is created and assigned a unique identification number.

2. Kiln Queue

Bundle is associated with a kiln charge or drying schedule.

3. Kiln

The tag remains with the bundle during the drying process.

4. Kiln Exit

Bundle is scanned and inventory status is updated.

5. Planer Infeed

The bundle is identified before entering the planer.

6. Finished Product

Production information can continue through finished goods, inventory, shipping, and distribution.

One identification point can connect multiple stages of production.

More Than a Kiln Tag

IBC can help build the complete identification system around your kiln operation.

This can include:

• Kiln tags
• Lumber pack labels
• Wood load tags
• RFID wood load labels
• Barcode printers
• Industrial scanners
• Fixed-mount scanning
• Mobile computers
• RFID readers
• Inventory software
• Production tracking
• Custom programming
• ERP integration
• Traceability systems

Because IBC is a solutions partner rather than simply a label supplier, we can help connect the physical identification of your lumber to the digital information used to manage your operation.

Why Choose IBC Kiln Tags?

Two Temperature Ratings

Choose a standard kiln tag rated to 300°F or a high-temperature construction rated to 600°F.

Designed for Wood Products

Developed specifically around the tracking requirements of sawmills, lumber manufacturers, kilns, and planer operations.

Barcode & RFID Ready

Support traditional barcode identification as well as RFID applications where appropriate.

Customizable

Select the size, material, printing, numbering, barcode, and attachment configuration for your operation.

Production-to-Inventory Traceability

Maintain bundle identification from green wood through kiln drying and into planer production.

Complete IBC Solution

Pair kiln tags with printers, scanners, RFID, software, automation, and ongoing support.

Keep Your Lumber Identified Through the Kiln

Don’t lose the identity of your lumber when it enters the kiln.

IBC Kiln Tags provide a high-temperature identification solution designed to help track bundled wood products from green wood through kiln drying and into planer production.

Whether your process requires a 300°F standard kiln tag or a 600°F high-temperature kiln tag, IBC can help determine the appropriate construction for your application.

Need High-Temperature Kiln Tags?

Contact IBC to discuss your kiln temperature, lumber tracking process, and tag requirements.