When you are on a photoshoot, juggling multiple memory cards for your cameras, you need to be able to quickly and easily identify which memory cards have already been used and are full, and which memory cards are still empty and ready to be used.

You do not want to have to try each memory card in your camera, to see if it already has photos on it.



I have been using a quick and easy solution for the last few years that allows me to instantly see if a memory card has been used, or if it is empty. I cut up the sticky part of a post-it note, and stick one piece on the inside of the compact flash memory card cases.

When putting a memory card into a case, facing the front of the card towards the post-it note label indicates the card is full, and facing the back of the card towards the post-it note label indicates the card is empty.

This method allows me to easily identify which memory cards are full, and which memory cards are empty, just by looking at the case. Have a look at the photos below to see how it works.

two empty memory cards in their cases
(front of memory cards facing AWAY from the label)

two full memory cards in their cases
(front of memory cards facing TOWARDS from the label)

Each memory card can be labelled by cutting up the sticky portion of a post-it label, and sticking it to the inside of the memory card case. Alternatively, you can use masking tape, or anything else suitable.

Whenever you put a memory card into its case, just remember to face the front of the card towards the label if it is a full card (so the front of the card is obscured by the label), and away from the label if it is empty (so the front of the card is not obscured by the label).

You can also add your name and contact details to the labels inside your memory card cases. This ensures that you are contactable if you ever lose or misplace one of your cases.

write your name and phone number on the label

left: name, phone number, email address
right: or cut up a business card to fit inside the case

Adding labels to your memory card cases in this way is very easy to use, and can make your life a lot easier if you are regularly carrying multiple memory cards with you.