[Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

Wed Apr 3 10:04:59 EDT 2013

The formula of the ink is less important than the degree to which it is bonded into the paper. Laser printers bond the ink in by heating it, which should stabilize it from a powder into a solvent-free thermoplastic.
We have noticed in the last few years that modern laser printers seem to be using less heat, and thus are not bonding inks as tightly, especially into thicker paper stock. Printing on card stock, for example, now results in smears and graying whereas our older printers had no problem. This might be another example of power-saving "eco" design that makes everyone feel better but doesn't get the job done.
As for paper, we have used laundry tag paper since the 1970s, and it holds up in alcohol just fine.

PC

Paul Callomon
Collections Manager in Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA  19103
callomon at ansp.org<mailto:callomon at ansp.org> Tel. 215-405-5096
Experience dinosaurs, butterflies, and live animals- all under one roof! Visit the Academy today. ansp.org<http://www.ansp.org>
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From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Nikolaj Scharff
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:51 AM
To: Bentley, Andrew Charles; Utrup, Jessica; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

I would personally be worried that such labels will not last long enough. Most polyester will, I think, in the long run become brittle and crack. In Copenhagen we now have problems with old lids made of varies kinds of plastic. These lids were introduced in the 60'ies and have worked well until now when a large number starts to crack (after 50 years!).

We use regular archival quality paper or Byron Weston Resistall Paper and we print the labels with ethanol resistant ink from Canon or HP. Obviously, we don't know the ink formula of these inks, and thereby the longevity of labels produced this way, but we have been using such a system here in Copenhagen since 1994. I have printed labels sitting on my window shelves and there is no obvious aging to be observed. I regularly rub them gently with my fingers and there is still no ink-smear. I would feel better using "regular paper and ink", instead of thermo printing.

It would be interesting to hear other opinions.

Best wishes
Nikolaj
.....................................................................
Nikolaj Scharff
Director of Collections

Associate Professor, Curator of Arachnida
Department of Entomology
Natural History Museum of Denmark
Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen
Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen
DENMARK

Tel. +45 35321107 Email. nscharff at snm.ku.dk<mailto:nscharff at snm.ku.dk>
Webpage: http://snm.ku.dk/people/nscharff
...................................................................................

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Bentley, Andrew Charles
Sent: 3. april 2013 15:28
To: Utrup, Jessica; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

Jessica, Marta

The system of choice now for wet collections appears to be thermal transfer printing using a thermal transfer printer and spun bound polyester labels.  We have been using such a system for about 10 years now in our wet collections and have had very good results so far - no yellowing, britteling, fading or any other physical signs or aging on the labels or print.  The thermal transfer printers have come down in price substantially lately making such a system affordable to most.  Alpha Systems in Virginia sells a "museum solution" which consists of a Datamax thermal transfer printer, media (4 inch wide, 600 foot long roll of spun bound polyester) and ribbon (wax/resin composite) which is now used by numerous collections around the world.

I would be happy to send you pdf's of printer specs, pricing from Alpha Systems and an article I wrote for the SPNHC newsletter if you are interested.  I can also send you samples of labels to look at.

Andy

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 Andy Bentley
 Ichthyology Collection Manager
 University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
 Dyche Hall
 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
 Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
 USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
 Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>

SPNHC President-Elect
http://www.spnhc.org

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From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Utrup, Jessica
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 7:53 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

Hello dear colleagues,
An old question: best system for labeling of alcohol-preserved specimens: inks, printers, papers... Any new answers/solutions? We still use manual system with Indian ink on bill paper, this is secure but labored. Any mechanized system more efficient and long term reliable?
Thank you

--
Marta Pérez Azcárate
Laboratori de Conservació Preventiva i Restauració
Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona / GROP S.L.
Passeig Picasso s/n. 08003 BARCELONA
93 256 22 09
marta.perez.cr at gmail.com<mailto:marta.perez.cr at gmail.com>

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