[Nhcoll-l] Fwd: Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

[Daniel K. Young]

Hi All,

I was intrigued by Mark O'Brien's comment (Hi Mark)!  I have learned 
(and taught) just the opposite: do NOT use inkjet & bubblejet printers 
because the letters readily dissolve in EtOH (and I've witnessed that). 
In the case of simply xeroxed labels, the letters readily life off the 
paper. As for laser printers, it has been my experience (and, alas, I'm 
old enough to have had a lot of experience) that as long as the heat is 
sufficient, the plasticized carbon will generally NOT lift off the 
paper.  I am looking at EtOH laser-printed labels that were printed more 
than 25 years ago and have been in 80% EtOH since - they look "good as 
new."

I also concur with Paul's observation:

We have noticed in the last few years that modern laser printers seem to 
be using less heat, and thus are not bonding inks as tightly, especially 
into thicker paper stock.

For this reason, we now - as a matter of protocol, immediately take 
printed labels from the laser printer to a drying oven where we heat 
them for at least several hours (which not infrequently becomes over 
night as forgetful minds work).  In any case this has served us well.  
We now generally use Bright White, acid free, 65 lb. archival quality 
paper. This weight just falls into the "cardstock" category, but I find 
somewhat "lighter" 100% cotton paper - /circa/ 32 lb. worked well, too.

Great - and very important - topic!

Cheers,

Dan


Dr. Daniel K. Young

Chair, Entomology Academic Affairs Committee
Chair, UW Natural History Museums Council

Professor of Entomology and
Director, UW Insect Research Collection (WIRC)
445 Russell Laboratories
Department of Entomology
1630 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI  53706

ph.  608-262-2078
fax  608-262-3322

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