[NHCOLL-L:3081] Re: Can Thermal Laser printers be used to produce labels in spirit jars?

[Charles Hussey]

Permanent labels suitable for immersion in ethanol can be produced by
ink-jet printers, providing the right formulation of ink is used. We
conducted tests around 8 years ago in our Zoology Department, having talked
to an ink chemist at Esselte. The problem is that printer manufacturers are
for ever changing the models on sale, and also the ink composition. You may
find that, having procured a printer/ink combination that works, you are
faced , after a few years, with trying to keep an aging printer working
and/or trying to source ink cartridges which are no longer produced.

Does anyone remember plotters? At one point we even considered using a
plotter with an Indian Ink pen to 'write' labels.

One tip - whatever digital printing technology you employ, it may be worth
also writing a copy of the specimen registration number on the label in
pencil.

Charles Hussey,

Science Data Co-ordinator, (Ex curator!)
Data and Digital Systems Team,
Library and Information Services,
Natural History Museum,
Cromwell Road,
London SW7 5BD
United Kingdom

Tel. +44 (0)207 942 5213
Fax. +44 (0)207 942 5559
e-mail c.hussey at nhm.ac.uk
Species Dictionary project: www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
Nature Navigator: www.nhm.ac.uk/naturenavigator/

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu]On
Behalf Of Mark O'Brien
Sent: 23 May 2006 13:43
To: Morris.Robert at saugov.sa.gov.au; NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:3079] Re: Can Thermal Laser printers be used to produce
labels in spirit jars?


As far as I know, no thermal-printed labels are likely to last any length of
time — they are designed for short-term labeling solutions.  They are not
archival, as there is no ink deposition, and even when not immersed in a
solution, fade after 5 years or so.  I do recommend the Lexmark ink-jet
printers (the cheap Z series), as the black inks do not dissolve in ethanol,
and after at least 6 years, no degradation of the labels has resulted,
unlike laser printers (which use a plastic/carbon matrix that is “fused” to
the paper).

Mark

On 5/23/06 1:49 AM, "Morris, Robert (SAM)" <Morris.Robert at saugov.sa.gov.au>
wrote:



Dear List,

We at the South Australian Museum have been experimenting with a Zebra
thermal laser printer to produce permanent labels for insertion with
specimens stored in 75% ethanol solution. We are currently using gloss white
polypropylene stock but these seem to be degrading in the ethanol and as a
result the printed information is also being lost. We have a feeling that if
we can find the right stock we may be able to continue to use a thermal
printer. Does anyone else use such a printer for this purpose and if so what
stock and ink have you found that works? If not what methods are employed
for labels destined for long term storage in ethanol solutions? We are
lloking to automate the process rather than continue to hand write each
label.

Thanks in advance


Robert Morris
Head of Collections
South Australian Museum
Tel 08-8207 7455
Fax 08 8207 7222





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