[Nhcoll-l] Thermal label problems

[Jon Fong]

We are having a label printer problem that supposedly no one else has, so
I'm asking around to see if it really is only us, or whether that no one
else has noticed.

The problem is that we are able to scrape off the ink with a fingernail
from our thermal transfer labels after they've been soaked in ethanol for a
few minutes. We're using a relatively new Datamax H-4408, with supposedly
chemical-resistant resin ribbon, and polyester paper. This shouldn't
happen, and I know that we've been able to successfully print labels where
we couldn't scratch off the ink. With this printer.  But it keeps
recurring, and we don't know whether it's the supplier (Alpha Systems), the
manufacturer, our printer (lemon? doubtful, it's the second one), or us.
Please answer this quick survey.

   1. With a recently printed label, soaked in ethanol for a few minutes,
   are you able to scratch off ink with your fingernail?
   2. What make/model of printer do you use?
   3. What are the heat and print speed settings on the printer?
   4. Which ribbon and paper do you use?
   5. Who do you order your supplies from?
   6. We've also had problems with fine white threads coming off the
   polyester paper and clogging the print head. Anyone else experience this?

Thanks for your time,
Jon

*Jon D. Fong*
Curatorial Assistant / Programmer
Dept. of Ichthyology
California Academy of Sciences
p. 415.379.5280
jfong at calacademy.org
www.calacademy.org

55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118

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