End-label alternatives?

[shybry]

I like end-labels. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvR_3OTxs8A&feature=player_embedded#t=118s

NES and NTSC SNES cartridges have end labels. Some Famicom cartridges have end-labels, some don't. No SFC or N64 cartridges have end-labels. So far I've been making due with sorting the cartridges alphabetically (based on the romaji for Japanese ones) and searching to find what I want if it's not labelled. But I'd like to have end-labels on all my loose carts.

Writing on the cartridges is obviously not an option. Would applying my own end-label be a bad idea, long-term? Residue can generally be removed, but I'm not sure if the plastic under the label might discolour differently than the rest of the plastic. Another idea is to buy a bunch of cartridge cases and then label the cases; that might get a bit pricy though.

Any suggestions?

[GohanX]

On my famicom games I just use a small, removable label that I write on. It's not elegant, but it's also not expensive or difficult to use, and I can identify an individual game in a stack.

[Protoman]

I don't want to put stickers or labels on my cartridges for fear of not getting them off properly, plus I like my carts to look pure ^_^
But I think the reasoning behind no end labels simply was that people are supposed to keep the box.

[fredJ]

If the cart is stored properly, it shouldn't discolor. Most famicom carts still look the same 25 years later.
A good looking end label doesn't lower the value either, so I think it is a good idea.

[L___E___T]

You could get one of those label makers, they're not too expensive, it sound exactly like what you're looking for and you'd get good use from it.

[shybry]

Oh, that's great! Here I thought plastic discolouration was normal given enough time. 

I've seen cartridges with a small rectangular section having a slightly different colour, which I assumed to be where a price tag or barcode label once was (hence my concern about adding my own labels). Would these have been left out in the sun by their previous owners perhaps?

[fredJ]

Many SFC carts have discolored backsides, but nice frontsides. However, carts that are stored in their boxes are rarely discolored at all. The discolored backsides may be from the oxygen. It's difficult to say, but I think that the front sides have different plastic so they don't discolor from oxygen alone. SFC (and SNES) are well known to get discoloration "by themselves" as you may have seen. Certain parts get discolored, other don't.

NES carts and consoles don't seem to suffer from this though. As long as you don't leave them in the sun they should be fine. Still no one can say for sure with plastic. Star Wars figures kept sealed for 30 years have started to show discoloration! It depends on what plastic that was used too. But I wouldn't worry to much about the end label.

[232stinger]

Since most Famicom carts are rectangular and about the same size  you could make VHS style sleeves for them out of paper and put the labels on those...

[jpx72]

I would be thankful you if you can make a template for that (VHS) thing to fit a standart loose famicom cartridge...

[tonev]

I can make it if you want

[232stinger]

Thats a good idea, as I don't own any Famicom carts yet, really like the system, just haven't got around to buying any games yet.  darn college taking all my money  $_$_$_$_$_$_$_$