[NHCOLL-L:1150] RE: label inks for fluid preserved specimens

[Simmons, John E]

There are not yet any published studies of the application of laser labels
in fluid collections published.  I can tell you that we have been using the
set-up you describe in our collection for a little more than 10 years now.
The labels hold up fairly well, but are certainly not permanent.  I have
anecdotal reports from other collection managers of both success and failure
with this sort of system.

We are in the process of switching over to a thermal printed label on
spun-bonded polyethylene stock, which produces a permanent, durable label.
The printer necessary is a bit expensive, but the results are worth it.  The
web site for the company that makes these units is www.preservationtag.com
The Ichthyology Division here at KU has been using these labels for a few
months now, and is quite pleased with the results.

--John
John E. Simmons
Collection Manager, Natural History Museum
and
Coordinator, Historical Administration and Museum Studies Program
University of Kansas
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561
Phone 785-864-4508
FAX 785-864-5335
jsimmons at ku.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: Dee Stubbs [mailto:dstubbs at nb.aibn.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 10:19 AM
To: 'NHCOLL-L at LISTS.YALE.EDU'
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:1149] label inks for fluid preserved specimens


Can anyone comment on their experience using desktop laser printer toner
(such as Hewlett Packard toner # HPC4096A) on rag paper labels inside fluid
preserved specimen jars? Initial experimentation by our Zoology department
looks promising, but we have concerns about the longevity of the laser inks
(toner) in the fluid environment. Our specimens are prepared by initial
curing in Formalin and rinsed in water, and then stored in either 10%
Formalin: 90 % water solution,  or in 70% Ethanol: 30% water solution. I
have Simmon's article in SPNCH's "Storage of Natural History Collections",
but I am wondering if more up to date information is available.

Dee Stubbs
Conservator
New Brunswick Museum
277 Douglas Avenue
Saint John, NB, Canada
E2K 1E5
tel (506) 643-2341
fax (506) 643-2360
dstubbs at nb.aibn.com