[NHCOLL-L:684] Archival Inks and Injet Printers

[Diana Horton]

Apologies for the cross-posting (TAXACOM) of these msgs., but I would 
really appreciate feedback on the following:


Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 13:01:25 -0500
To: TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG
From: Diana Horton <diana-horton at UIOWA.EDU>
Subject: Fwd: Archival Inks and Inkjet Printers


Further to my previous posting (below), I am very interested in pursuing 
the possibility of using a Lexmark inkjet with waterproof ink to produce 
herbarium labels.  The one hesitation I have is, in checking out the 
Lexmark Z52 inkjet printer, I noticed that the text on the sample provided 
in the store is not as sharp as that produced by my HP laserjet.  Can 
anyone tell me whether the sample (which was obviously designed to 
highlight the colour capabilities of the printer) is indicative of one can 
expect on herbarium labels, and it is simply a matter that inkjet print 
just is not as sharp as laserjet?

Thanks!

Diana Horton
Herbarium and Biological Sciences
312 CB
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA  52242-1297


Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 10:24:27 -0500
To: TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG
From: Diana Horton <diana-horton at uiowa.edu>
Subject: Archival Inks and Inkjet Printers

I have done some checking and have learned that *all* Lexmark black ink 
cartridges are waterproof.  However, they may be the only brand that has 
waterproof ink. Hewlett Packard told me that their black inks are not 
waterproof.  Another consideration is that Lexmark cartridges may run about 
$5 higher (either black or colour) than others.

The Lexmark printer, model 5000, cited by Francois Genier has been 
discontinued, and there is now a "Z" series, with the Z52 the newest 
model.  The resolution on the latter is 2400 X 1200 dpi, and it prints 15 
pages/min. text and 7 colour.

I have never felt comfortable to print herbarium labels with a laserjet, 
because of the question of longevity, and have kept an old spinwheel 
printer going instead.  However, I have to use an archaic label program 
with that and this information about the availability of waterproof ink 
tempts me to ditch the spinwheel and buy the Z52.  Has anyone had any 
experience with this printer?  Does anyone have any comments on the pros 
and cons of going with inkjet?

Many thanks!

Diana Horton
Herbarium and Biological Sciences
312 CB
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA  52242-1297