[NHCOLL-L:3913] RE: Printed labels in Propylene Glycol & Alcohol

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Lisa

One thing that you can do is bake your labels in an oven for a period of time which tends to "bind" the toner to the paper a lot better.  I am not sure of the exact times or temperature but maybe someone else will send through that info.

BUT, the best thing to do would be to convert over to a thermal transfer printer that prints on spun bound polyester.  It is inert (i.e. does not leach anything into the alcohol or PG) and is also unaffected by alcohol or PG for long terms storage.  The wax/resin ribbon binds the print to the surface of the media using heat and the labels thus produced are virtually indestructible.  I wrote an article on this in the SPNHC newsletter and have attached it here together with Alpha Systems pricing and the printer specs.

We have been using the system from Alpha Systems (www.alphasystemsva.com - click on Museum tag in the left hand menu) for about 7 years now and are perfectly happy.  We have not seen any fading, yellowing of media or peeling of print in that time.  I have also had three jars on a window ledge in bright sunlight for about 5 years now - 95% ethanol, 34% formalin and glycerin and have seen no change in the labels at all.

I would be happy to send you a sample of the media and some printed labels if it would help.  I would also be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager/Specify Usability Lead
University of Kansas
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: ABentley at ku.edu       
                                                
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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Lisa Conyers
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:56 AM
To: NHCOLL-L
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:3912] Printed labels in Propylene Glycol & Alcohol

Hello!

Does anybody have any suggestions to a problem concerning laser printed 
labels which have been in jars of PG.

Specimens were collected and placed in PG with a laser printed label. 
The paper used was a resistall type specifically for use with printers. 
Specimens remained in PG for 1-4 weeks in total and transferred to 75% 
alcohol for long term storage, however, it appears that the text is 
lifting and flaking off the paper. On further investigation it seems 
that the print can also be smudged and rubbed off on the labels which 
have only been in alcohol.

We are using a standard Hewlett Packard laser printer and leaving the 
labels to 'harden' for 24 hours before immersion in fluid. Does anybody 
know of a more reliable way of producing printed labels for long term 
storage - as there obvioulsy appears to be a binding issue?

Many Thanks for any information.

Regards

Lisa Conyers

-- 
Lisa Conyers
Zoological Collections Technician (Invertebrates)
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Parks Road
Oxford OX1 3PW

T 01865 272581/272950
F 01865 272970
E lisa.conyers at oum.ox.ac.uk


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