[Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens
Cannatella, David
catfish at austin.utexas.edu
Wed Apr 3 12:15:10 EDT 2013
We have faced this problem since roughly 1995. Our solution, which is not perfect, is this.
1. We use a laser printer with resistall paper
2. We soak the paper in alcohol for a day or so to remove the sizing, which is used by the manufacturer to give the paper a smooth finish. Removing the sizing reduces the chance of letters falling off, more or less.
3. After printing, we use an additional heat press for bonding. I think it's the same type that is used to mount photos on backer board.
4. We have had the same problem everyone else does with letters falling, smearing, etc. For efficiency in replacing labels, our database stores each label as printed, and each label has a unique identifier, making it easy to retrieve. We simply search for the label identifier and reprint labels in batches. A side benefit is that we know in which jar a specimen resides, and because the database record for the label also stores metadata about the jar size, we can get quick summaries of how many quart jars we have, etc.
Dave
On Apr 3, 2013, at 9:31 AM, Thomas Labedz wrote:
A laser printer’s heating element is set for moderate bonding of the toner powder to a smooth-finish, office-weight paper. Thicker paper, like those used for labels, and/or different textured surfaces commonly found with rag paper require more heating to effectively bond the toner to the surface. We use laser printers for labels going into alcohol or formalin-preserved specimens, but use an extra heat press to finish the labels before going into those fluids. We also use a true India ink to handwrite the catalog number on the label as an extra security measure. Toner, poorly bonded to paper, can ‘lift’ from the paper in fluid, particularly if the solution becomes saturated with lipids leached from the specimen. Those ‘lifted’ letters from the paper can then stick to the inside wall of a glass jar or simply rain to the bottom of the jar to form a disastrous alphabet soup.
If we could we’d purchase the thermal transfer printer described by Bentley. We can’t, we do the best we can with what we have. Hopefully the handwritten catalog number will be the saving grace if necessary. After 15-20 years things seem to still be holding up well.
Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager
Division of Zoology and Division of Botany
University of Nebraska State Museum
W-436 Nebraska Hall
900 N. 16th St.
Lincoln, NE 68588-0514
402/472-8366 (p.m.,Zoo.), 402/472-1607 (a.m.,Bot.), fax 402/472-8949
tlabedz1 at unl.edu<mailto:tlabedz1 at unl.edu> www.museum.unl.edu<http://www.museum.unl.edu>
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 Callomon,Paul
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:05 AM
To: 'Nikolaj Scharff'; Bentley, Andrew Charles; Utrup, Jessica; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens
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> [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<mailto: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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David Cannatella
Professor, Integrative Biology
512-232-4862 (office; voicemail)
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Curator of Herpetology, Texas Natural Science Center
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