[NHCOLL-L:2944] Archival Inks and Inkjet Printers

[Cindy A Ramotnik]

I am forwarding the request below from a colleague. Please 
include her in your reply as she is not subscribed to 
NHCOLL.

Thanks,
Cindy

Cindy Ramotnik
U.S. Geological Survey
Department of Biology
MSC03 2020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505-277-5369
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To the archival listserve,

I am just starting an aquatic monitoring project and will 
be collecting a variety of samples for preservation for 
later analysis. I planned on using pre-made labels that 
would prompt those who are assisting me to write down the 
appropriate data, e.g., "Date:_____________ 
Location:_______________" etc., so people could just fill 
in the blanks. To back up outside labels that sometimes 
fall off, these pre-made labels will be for placing inside 
bottles using various fixatives/preservatives.  For 
zooplankton, the fixative is Lugol's solution (iodide) 
which turns paper brown. For macroinverts, the 
preservative is 70% ethanol. For fish, the preservative is 
first 10% formalin and then 70% ethanol for long-term 
storage.  Storage would usually be for 1 year but possibly 
as long as 5 years (being realistic).

I was hoping to print these labels using a laserprinter on 
"Rite in the Rain" copy paper, since I already have about 
a ream of it. Does anyone have knowledge if laserjet 
printing ---or copying-- will survive these preservatives 
for this length of time? If not, any suggestions? Please 
send or copy responses to my email ( 
Jeanette_Carpenter at usgs.gov ) as I am not on the archival 
listserve. Many thanks,

Sincerely,

Jeanette Carpenter

Jeanette_Carpenter at usgs.gov