[NHCOLL-L:689] RE: archival inks for inkjet printers

[Panza, Robin]

Thanks, Diana, for the useful information.  However, I'd like to point out
that "permanent" is not the same as "archival".  I'm glad to hear about the
permanence of the Lexmark ink.  However, such issues as
acidity/corrosiveness are not addressed in the message from Genier.

Robin

Robin K Panza                         panzar at carnegiemuseums.org
Collection Manager, Section of Birds          ph:  412-622-3255
Carnegie Museum of Natural History       fax: 412-622-8837
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh  PA  15213-4008  USA

-----Original Message-----
>Two years ago I seriously questioned the archival quality of toner used by 
>photocopier and laser printers.  Occasionally this toner will peel off or 
>be dissolved by organic solvents. As a result I started to investigate ink 
>jet printing. At that time inkjet with high resolution (1200 dpi) became 
>available and affordable. I came across Lexmark printer (model 5000 and 
>higher) which were using "Waterproof" ink. I investigated and discovered 
>that once dry the ink was not soluble in any of the commonly used 
>chemicals in entomology (ethanol, ethyl acetate, ammonia, xylene, 
>acetone). Furthermore, it was not affected by long exposure to light (over 
>two years). The drying time seems to depend on the paper. The ink is 
>usually dry enough after two or three hours. However, before I use the 
>labels in alcohol I let it dry for two or three days. For insect labels I 
>use a 3.5 or 4.0 pts font and get very good results. The ink is "Lexmark 
>high resolution printing black standard print cartridge, #12A1970" and it 
>can be used in certain models of Lexmark, Samsung and Kodak printers. I am 
>sure that other companies are now producing archival quality ink.
>
>Francois
>
>François Génier
>Collection Manager, Insects
>Canadian Museum of Nature
>PO Box 3443, Stn D
>Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 6P4
>Canada
>