[Nhcoll-l] Labeling Systems for Fluid Preserved Specimens

[Lazo-Wasem, Eric]

I too have used multiple versions of the Datamax printers (six or seven units), particularly the I-Class versions for about 20 years, all purchased from Alpha Systems.  My assessment:

PRINT HEAD CONDITION IS KEY.  Once they wear out, about all you can do is shift your printing to a different side if feasible.  For example, we mainly print one 2" x 3" label on 4" wide preservation tag, and various variants smaller.  When a print head wore excessively on the left, we shifted the label template (all in Word) to print farther to the right; this bought us another year or two.  One workhorse printed 50K 1" x 3" microscope tray labels (fit directly under the slide with full data) in less than three years, so the units really last.  Finding a cutter is very important to reduce waste.  If you can find a unit that has not been used beyond normal service life (we generally would by a new unit to phase in after about 6 years or so) and use settings trickery and the label shift I described above, I am sure you can get good quality labels with a used unit.

I have used 180, 300, and 600 dpi versions. I bought one 600 dpi version and do not like it nearly as much as the 300 dpi; for our purposes print quality was actually better.  For our 0.75" x 1.75" labels (go into 2 dram vial) we use 6 point type and find that 600 dpi makes the letters too fine and hard to read.  With 300 dpi, Franklin Gothic Medium produces crisp, non-embellished text.  For the 600 dpi we had to switch to a bolder font and now the labels are acceptable.

I have no experience with the CAB Squid printers and hope to retire before I have to switch to something new!

Eric

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Bentley, Andrew Charles
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 10:21 AM
To: Andrews, Tom <Tom_Andrews1 at baylor.edu>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Labeling Systems for Fluid Preserved Specimens

Hi Tom

I think the correct brand for these printers is Datamax which was taken over by Honeywell.  We have been using Datamax printers for over 15 years here at KU and have had no issues with the two models we have used - Prodigy Max and the I-Class Mark II.  They were both very reliable with little to no down time or need for repairs. We are still using the I-Class Mark II and it has been going strong for over 10 years now servicing multiple divisions at the museum through a network connection.

I have heard that newer generations of these printers produced by Honeywell are nowhere near as reliable and have numerous issues.  The company that supplied our Datamax printers, Alpha Systems, has since stopped recommending these printers and moved over to CAB Squib printers instead (see attached), that are supposed to be much more reliable and user friendly.  Their pricing and recommendations are also attached.

I have not heard of anyone buying a used Datamax printer, but, if treated correctly, Datamax printers can last a long time and as such, if you are able to get your hands on a second hand Datamax I-series printer (the Prodigy Max is very outdated now) and funds are scarce, I would suggest that you go for it (from a quick search it looks like they run about $1000-1300 on eBay and other sites).  It also looks like new ones are still to be had at a discount like here: https://www.barcodediscount.com/catalog/datamax-o-neil/part-i13-00-43000007.htm<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barcodediscount.com%2Fcatalog%2Fdatamax-o-neil%2Fpart-i13-00-43000007.htm&data=05%7C01%7Ceal5%40connect.yale.edu%7C759642a7118c45a8ca4e08dab8efbc93%7Cdd8cbebb21394df8b4114e3e87abeb5c%7C0%7C0%7C638025637231181236%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zZEBgRckscTdz3Yn3WwHDeMyfoyyIjlfIlzQ95S28SE%3D&reserved=0>. Just a heads up that network cards and optional cutters may not be included but can probably be found as aftermarket add ons.  Also, I would suggest that you purchase a 300 dpi or higher (model I-4310 or I-4606) to get the best quality print.  Also make sure that you are buying one that predates the Honeywell takeover.  However, if you can afford the attached, I would suggest going with a new CAB printer and save the hassle of not knowing the condition of a second hand printer.  The print head is the most important part of the printer and the most expensive to replace.  If this has been damaged or over used in any way, the printer may be useless.  It is important to keep the print head free from dust or other contaminants in order to ensure good printing quality but other than that, the printer requires very little if any maintenance.  They can be a little tricky to set up initially and to get the settings just right for ideal print quality but there are lots of people in the museum community using them now so that should not be a problem.  Ribbon and media can be ordered through Alpha System regardless of whether you buy a printer from them.

Hope that helps

Andy
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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>> On Behalf Of Andrews, Tom
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 11:27 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Labeling Systems for Fluid Preserved Specimens

Hello Colleagues,

We have a fairly sizable backlog of fluid preserved specimens that we need to make labels for. (Vast majority are in a 55% solution of IPA) In the past, we had used a typewriter that was proven to give good results even after decades in fluid (many labels made on this machine dating back to the 1960's still look as good as when they were made) but at some point it was discovered that modern ribbons are of a different spec and no longer stand up well in fluid. As a result, we have handwritten our labels for several years but now need to come up with something more manageable for labelling several hundred specimens.

In reading through past messages here and other literature on the topic, it appears that Thermal Transfer printers are the way to go, but it seems that the Duramax which are usually recommended are no longer produced and the Honeywell printers appear to be a not totally satisfactory replacement. A quick search shows that the Duramax printers are readily available second-hand. My idea was to try to acquire one of these since they are a known quantity and as an added bonus much less costly than the new printers.

My question is, has anyone gone this route before and to those who have used the Duramax over the years, is it feasible to maintain them without outside assistance?

Kind regards,

Tom Andrews
Collections Assistant
Tom_Andrews1 at baylor.edu<mailto:Tom_Andrews1 at baylor.edu>
254-710-1194
Mayborn Museum Complex
Baylor University


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