[Nhcoll-l] Printing catalog numbers & QR codes multi-sided labels

[Tommy McElrath]

Apologies for cross-posting to those of you who are also part of the ECN-l listserv. 

Hello all, 
I’m working on upgrading the INHS Insect Collection to QR-code accompanied catalog numbers, but wanted to eliminate the issue of having the QR code face up or down when on the insect pin, by printing the catalog number and the QR code on both sides of the label. This would also help with printing labels for ethanol that often get flipped around inside a vial or jar. I know several other people now in the entomology community who are interested in this moving forward,  I’m looking on solutions that have worked or are likely to work for people. 

Here are my requirements:
- must be on archival entomology label paper (I know we’ve had a million discussions about this, but I’ve somewhat settled on the Buffington classic: 200g HP double sided gloss brochure paper)
- must be able to print QR codes and a human-readable catalog number (e.g. INHS Insect Collection 1000258, see attached) at high-resolution onto a label only 4mm tall and 15cm wide (pinned & slide specimens are the limiting factor, I don’t expect as much problem printing catalog numbers for larger ethanol-vial catalog numbers)
- must be able to have above QR codes and human-readable catalog numbers at high resolution onto BOTH sides with enough precision to be cut out without loss of data on either sides (this is the main issue IMO, as many other double-sided solutions do not have to contend with such small labels, and the errors that come with duplex printing)

It seems like there are two options for paths that have worked for people:
Print your own:
Epson R2880 photo printer from an HP workstation, apparently somewhat finicky
Thermal printing? I haven’t actually heard specifically that you can do duplex printing on one of these
has anyone else gotten this to work on a different system?
Order large quantities from barcode suppliers (following are options I’ve seen referenced in NHCOLL-L and ECN-L), but I have not checked it they can do double-sided yet
Reliance Barcode Solutions (http://www.reliancebarcode.com/ <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.reliancebarcode.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=Cu5g146wZdoqVuKpTNsYHeFX_rg6kWhlkLF8Eft-wwo&r=-lUMCZ4RK28H4qvcd3vmEBuyVJHHG0OpDzFenR9wX-A&m=yTULQLPQUGmXheh-A8qgXq9PYBPuvW-eYpBb2UFtcow&s=M5eynCAVs6xWX6j8O9Ue4-XGFwinDuPw8CanrDPGkTE&e=>)
Electronic Imaging Materials (https://barcode-labels.com/ <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__barcode-2Dlabels.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=Cu5g146wZdoqVuKpTNsYHeFX_rg6kWhlkLF8Eft-wwo&r=-lUMCZ4RK28H4qvcd3vmEBuyVJHHG0OpDzFenR9wX-A&m=yTULQLPQUGmXheh-A8qgXq9PYBPuvW-eYpBb2UFtcow&s=8ukCbTORUjFYt6Vf87wKO4wzAtNc8i-fiiMgWK7xiUQ&e=>) (MCZ uses)
Any others?

I would appreciate any suggestions for good printers or suppliers capable of producing what we want. 

Sincerely, 


--
TOMMY MCELRATH
Insect Collection Manager
 
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1816 S. Oak Street | M/C 652
Champaign, IL 61820
217-300-5938 | tcm at illinois.edu <mailto:tcm at illinois.edu>
insect.inhs.illinois.edu <https://insect.inhs.illinois.edu/>
 
 <https://www.facebook.com/INHSInsects/>     <https://www.instagram.com/inhsinsects/>     

 <http://illinois.edu/>

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written communication to or from university employees regarding university business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure. 

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