[NHCOLL-L:3914] Re: Printed labels in Propylene Glycol & Alcohol

[Doug Yanega]

>Hello!
>
>Does anybody have any suggestions to a problem concerning laser 
>printed labels which have been in jars of PG.
>
>Specimens were collected and placed in PG with a laser printed 
>label. The paper used was a resistall type specifically for use with 
>printers. Specimens remained in PG for 1-4 weeks in total and 
>transferred to 75% alcohol for long term storage, however, it 
>appears that the text is lifting and flaking off the paper. On 
>further investigation it seems that the print can also be smudged 
>and rubbed off on the labels which have only been in alcohol.
>
>We are using a standard Hewlett Packard laser printer and leaving 
>the labels to 'harden' for 24 hours before immersion in fluid. Does 
>anybody know of a more reliable way of producing printed labels for 
>long term storage - as there obvioulsy appears to be a binding issue?

I strongly suspect an issue with the paper you are using, i.e., not 
entirely the printer's fault. I've seen, on numerous occasions now, 
where labels from a single printer will be perfectly fine on one 
paper stock, and "lift off" on another paper stock. In my experience, 
people too readily assume that it is some innate and unavoidable 
property of laser printing, but that's only half true. I've never 
used it myself, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that not all 
Resistall paper is identical, and that what therefore might be 
beneficial is if those on this list who HAVE succesfully used 
laser-written labels on Resistall could indicate exactly which stock 
number they used, and those for whom it has FAILED could likewise 
indicate their stock numbers. By comparing notes, it might be 
possible to determine a pattern, and help others in the future avoid 
the pitfalls. If it turns out that no one has *ever* used Resistall 
in a laser printer successfully, that would obviously also be of 
general interest.

Sincerely,
-- 

Doug Yanega        Dept. of Entomology         Entomology Research Museum
Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314        skype: dyanega
phone: (951) 827-4315 (standard disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
              http://cache.ucr.edu/~heraty/yanega.html
   "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
         is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82