Location of the Laundry Mark
There is a standard spot for the laundry mark on each article. If the mark is correctly placed in this location, the receiving clerk can check items in easily and quickly. The clerk can also check and assemble finished articles without unfolding them. The locations of laundry marks are as follows:

. Underwear- On the inside of the waist-band, left of center of the label.
. Handkerchiefs- Do NOT mark. Put them in a net and identify with a marked strip tag placed on the inside or pinned on the outside. Some handkerchiefs are made of fine linen and are expensive. A mark would be ugly if used on such articles and exposed to view.
. Shirts- On the front inside shirttail.
Tropical shorts- On the inside waistband of shorts, right side, in line with the outside leg seam.
Socks- Socks are NOT marked; instead, marks should be put on a piece of sheeting and then placed inside a standard 10-inch by 15-inch laundry net used for washing socks. The socks should be untied and loose in the net. A separate net should be used for each individual.
Undershirts- On the inside, 1 inch to the left of the label.

RIBBON-TYPE LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINES

Shipboard laundries use a ribbon-type laundry marking machine to mark all clothing (fig. 5-8). The ribbon-type machine uses a lever principle for setting the mark. The lever is attached directly to the type wheels, each of which contains all numerals and complete alphabet. The procedure for marking laundry is the same on most types of marking machines:

Figure 5-8.- Laundryman using the laundry marking machine.

1. Put the item to be marked underneath the tension plate and over the platen. The tension plate holds the item in place so the laundry mark can be placed exactly where you want it.
2. Raise the printing lever forward with both hands to bring the item to be marked into contact with the type. Use a steady push on the lever for best results.
3. Check the mark for clarity. If it is not clear, repeat the process.

Operating Ribbon-Type Machines
Some things to remember when you are operating a Ribbonrite marking machine are as follows:

1. Keep the printer arm down when you set the type handles. This will prevent wrinkling of the ribbon.
2. Use both hands to operate the machine. Use a complete stroke and make quick, sharp contact with the article being marked.
3. Unfold shirt collars before you mark them.

Care and Maintenance of Laundry Marking Machines
A certain amount of care and maintenance must be given to laundry marking machines to keep them in good working order and to extend their usefulness. Keep all parts of the marking machine clean, type faces in particular. Proceed as follows:

1. Bring the type levers to the full FORWARD position.
2. Depress the clip on the back of the cover (bottom) and unlock it in front.
3. Raise the index handles to bring the type into the most accessible position and clean it with the wire brush provided by the manufacturer for this purpose.

Another way to clean the type assembly is to remove the assembly by first removing the pin inserted through the shaft channels over the shaft and disengaging the spring lock. After the assembly is removed, clean it with a steam gun. When parts of the machine become worn, they should be replaced with new ones. Keep a supply of the most used repair parts on hand. A manufacturer's instruction manual is furnished for each laundry marking machine. The mechanic who works on the machine should also have a copy of this instruction book. Do not try to do any mechanical work on the machine unless it is absolutely necessary. Always request that the work be done by a trained person from the engineering department.

Ships Without Laundry Marking Machines

All ships are required to have a laundry marking machine on board. Ships' laundries temporarily without laundry marking machines will have to use laundry marking pens while a machine is being procured or the old one repaired. The laundry supervisor should obtain white and black laundry markers from the bulk storeroom and charge them to cost of operations laundry. These pens will serve the same purpose as the laundry marking machine; however, they will probably slow the work process while marking clothing. For individual lots, the laundry mark has to be handwritten on the Ship's Store Laundry List, NAVSUP Form 233. Care should be taken while marking clothing with marking pens to make sure the mark does not go completely through the fabric. It is best to stencil on a semifirm surface such as cardboard, making sure you do not press too firmly. Be sure the ink from the stencil is completely dry before placing the clothing with the remainder of the lot.