[Nhcoll-l] Desktop thermal printers?
Chris Grinter
cgrinter at calacademy.org
Fri Mar 27 13:20:32 EDT 2026
Many entomology collections have used very affordable inkjet printers in
ethanol for decades now. Here at CAS Ento we print on 32lb acid-free 100%
cotton rag paper with monochrome Epson inkjet pigment based ink.
Essentially is as good as writing a label with a pigma pen, labels are
durable and dirt-cheap to produce. The new "ecotank" printers must be
avoided since these are dye based inks and are not archival. I haven't
found a current replacement but Epson has stopped producing their
monochrome printers in favor of more complex color printers that waste
color ink even when printing in black and white (it's a scam).
I know others at USNM have had good luck with Brother laser printers on
acid free paper. I have tests running and as long as the toner is adhered
to the page it should be stable long-term. Older printers that require any
level of "trick" of ironing or microwaving means they should not be
trusted. I have a large aquatic insect collection printed on
microwaved/ironed labels and all of the letters come right off if you
handle the label.
I've had personal experience with poor quality thermal printing, especially
at the small fonts required for ento/arachnology collections. The intermec
plastic labels when exposed to even a brief amount of UV light degraded,
producing a white byproduct that coated the vials and made lettering hard
to read. Longer exposure to sunlight peeled the labels apart entirely,
leaving me to believe none of those plastic labels are archival.
Chris
Christopher C. Grinter
Senior Collection Manager of Entomology
Secretary, The Lepidopterists’ Society
Subject Editor: Lepidoptera, The Pacific Coast Entomological Society
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118
T 415.379.5320
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On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 8:39 AM Ian Engelbrecht <ianicus.za at gmail.com>
wrote:
> As I understand it Teslin's claim is that no further treatment is
> necessary, even with laser printing, which is know is problematic with
> paper printing. I do have inkjet printed samples on Teslin as well as
> several other papers, which have been standing in ethanol for about five
> years now. Please check back with me in 2119 😋
>
> On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 3:45 PM Simon Moore <couteaufin at btinternet.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I did hear that someone had used the rather homespun remedy of running a
>> hot iron over the labels to heat seal the lettering down
>>
>> With all good wishes, Simon Moore.
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>
>> On 27 Mar 2026, at 13:30, Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Ian
>>
>> I could not find what the composition of Teslin paper is online but it
>> appears similar to the spun bound polyester medium we use in our thermal
>> printers. I would always guard against laser or inkjet printing as they
>> are not permanent and in some cases require further heat treatment to make
>> them stand up to immersion in alcohol for long periods.
>>
>> Andy
>>
>> A : A : A :
>> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>> V V V
>> Andy Bentley
>> Ichthyology Collection Manager
>> University of Kansas
>> Biodiversity Institute
>>
>> Dyche Hall
>> *1345 Jayhawk Boulevard*
>> *Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561*
>> *USA*
>>
>> Tel: *(785) 864-3863 <%28785%29%20864-3863>*
>> Fax: *(785) 864-5335 <%28785%29%20864-5335>*
>> Email: *abentley at ku.edu <abentley at ku.edu>*
>>
>> ORCID: *https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6ZmE2Yjo5NDVkZDE5OGNiZmIwYzMwOTMxNjA3MDdhNzVjOTBkMGU1YmJkNmViMGZjYzFmZjgwMDJlY2Y5Mzg1NWMxYTU5Omg6VDpO>*
>>
>> *http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6MTRjMDo2ZTE1NmE1ODkwY2RlODZlYzFmNGU1MjhlOWJjYTJlNjYyOGQwYWEwM2UyNGExZTU0NzAxOTI5OThhMDlhYzI3Omg6VDpO>*
>>
>> A : A : A :
>> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>> V V V
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Ian Engelbrecht <ianicus.za at gmail.com>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, March 26, 2026 5:16 PM
>> *To:* Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
>> *Cc:* Derieg, Katrina <katrina.derieg at mso.umt.edu>; Natural History
>> Collections Listserv <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
>> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Desktop thermal printers?
>>
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> Has anyone tried printing on Teslin paper for wet collections? You can
>> just use a regular laser printer, and a few of the wet collection managers
>> here in South Africa swear by it. For a smaller collection with less
>> frequent printing it might be a good option, but the question with any new
>> medium is whether it lasts for decades/centuries.
>>
>> Ian
>>
>> On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 at 18:28, Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Katrina
>>
>> I do not have any experience using desktop thermal printers but do have a
>> lot of experience using commercial ones and can highly recommend spending
>> the extra cash to get one of these that will serve you well. I am not sure
>> if some of the brands that make these commercial printers make desktop
>> versions, but you may want to try CAB SQUIX (
>> https://codesource.com/collections/cab-squix-thermal-transfer-printers
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://codesource.com/collections/cab-squix-thermal-transfer-printers___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6ZDdkZDoxMTYxN2YxNzEyODAyY2FmNWU0MWRjMmI5YzVjZDVhNjA5MzVlYjk5ZTBhNzVjOTU3ZGY4N2RiMDQyYTZmODg5Omg6VDpO>)
>> as they make a very good commercial version. One issue that you will find
>> is that these smaller printers will not accept the rolls of media we are
>> traditionally purchasing for museum use as they are too large. I suspect
>> that they are also not designed for the heavier polyester media hence why
>> you were having issues with rollers in your previous version.
>>
>> There do appear to be second-hand commercial thermal printers available
>> that you may consider given your budget.
>>
>> I would stay away from laser printed labels if possible. I have never
>> had much luck with longevity of laser printed labels.
>>
>> Hope that helps
>>
>> Andy
>>
>> A : A : A :
>> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>> V V V
>> Andy Bentley
>>
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D*0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D*0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6OTZiYjpkYTA4ZWYwMDBjZDA5OGQ4Y2RlOTQyYjM5MWYzNzI0OGY4YmNjY2UxMTNhYmVhNmE2NjQ1ODMxN2RlOTk3Y2NiOmg6VDpO>Ichthyology
>> Collection Manager
>>
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D*0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D*0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6YWY0YTo3MTM4N2U0ZDQ4NjUwMjc5YWExMTY4MWExNGEwYjg5MDQ1ODhhZDczNDUxYWE5MzlhNjhkMTBkYjY2Y2ExMzNhOmg6VDpO>University
>> of Kansas
>> Biodiversity Institute
>>
>> Dyche Hall
>> *1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D*0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D*0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6OTZkMjpiNGM2YjMwM2E5NmI5NDBmMWRkODdlMWQzNjg2ZjY0MDMxY2Q5NTk5NGNmMmNiZTY0Yjk5NzllMDVkNTdjMDEyOmg6VDpO>*
>> *Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D*0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D*0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6YTM0MTozN2Q2N2RiMTFmMDNkM2U4M2NiZWExMWQ0YzRiNmYyOWVhMjVjZjdhNTk5Y2FlMGFjM2RkNmI0NWU0YjViODFlOmg6VDpO>*
>> *USA
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D*0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D*0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6M2QzNzpkNDk4MDliNjc0NDYxYjM3MWQ5NjQyMzU1ZWU1YmFkYTZiOTBiNTU2ZTBlMWU3ZWRjNTg2ZDdmZGIyOWJjY2ViOmg6VDpO>*
>>
>> Tel: *(785) 864-3863 <%28785%29%20864-3863>*
>> Fax: *(785) 864-5335 <%28785%29%20864-5335>*
>> Email: *abentley at ku.edu <abentley at ku.edu>*
>>
>> ORCID: *https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6YTAwNTo3MzhlNmRiOTBlMWFmMDQzZDAzZWRhNTc5ZmU1M2JlNjBhZTcxYTEwZmExNjMzOTIxYjg0OGRjODg5N2U3YWMwOmg6VDpO>*
>>
>> *http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6YjUxMDo5N2I1ZTVmODQzOTA0NDdlNWM1YTVlOTNiMTM2M2NiNWE1NTgxZWE2OGQ4OWVmZmE2MWZlODU2YjNhYmYwMTQ3Omg6VDpO>*
>>
>> A : A : A :
>> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>> V V V
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of
>> Derieg, Katrina <katrina.derieg at mso.umt.edu>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 24, 2026 11:08 AM
>> *To:* Natural History Collections Listserv <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
>> *Subject:* [Nhcoll-l] Desktop thermal printers?
>>
>> Hi NHC community,
>> I am hoping to step up my game with fluid labeling. We have a very small
>> fluid collection in just a few flammable cabinets, so we have a low volume
>> of fluid specimens being prepared, but I'm hoping to slowly expand. For
>> reference, we are using only ethanol and not formalin going forward.
>>
>> A few years ago, I bought and used a GoDEX ZX430i thermal printer when I
>> was at UMNH and that thing was the bane of my existence. I found it
>> difficult to dial in the settings, and the media (Tyvek) was too slick for
>> the rollers to grab consistently. I'm sure the Tyvek was mostly the problem
>> there, but in any case I would prefer to avoid an industrial thermal
>> printer, mostly because of cost.
>>
>> Has anyone used desktop thermal printers? Example: Brother TD-4520TN
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://brothermobilesolutions.com/products/printers/td/td-4/td4520tn/___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6OGJmYTo0Y2JhZjk3ZDc5NzY5ZjJjMWYxNWZmZTc4NDg4OTA2Mzg1YmQ4MTkyZjM3ZGEwYTk0NDg3NjQ2ZGEyZGY3OGFmOmg6VDpO> If
>> so, can you use them with continuous rolls of printing media? Most of the
>> desktop ones seem to be direct thermal for sticker labels. I mainly want to
>> print small tags (1" x 0.25") for individual specimens, as well as internal
>> jar labels (~ 3" x 4" or 4" x 6"). Has anyone achieved this with desktop
>> thermal printers? With what kind of media?
>>
>> I'd like to spend less than $1000 USD on a printer.
>>
>> Alternatively, does anyone have any thoughts on laser jet printing with
>> special media for fluid tags/labels? This would honestly be my preference,
>> as I already have a laser jet printer. Currently I am just printing fluid
>> tags on acid-free card stock with the laser jet, but I know that is far
>> from ideal.
>>
>> I know there is a TON of info out there on labeling for fluid
>> collections, but I find it hard to sift through for my needs and would just
>> like to hear from the community on what works for you folks.
>>
>> Thanks in advance!!
>> -Katrina
>>
>> *KATRINA DERIEG **(she/her)*
>>
>> *Curator | Museum Collections and Outreach Coordinator*
>>
>> *Phillip L. Wright Zoological Museum (UMZM)*
>> https://www.umt.edu/zoological-museum/
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.umt.edu/zoological-museum/___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6NTc1Mzo2Njg4YzE2MGJiNjliNDAzOTgwZDBiOGZmYWE5YmJiZDQxYTUxNThkYzA2NjIyMWYzNzY3ODcyOThkYTNhNjA1Omg6VDpO>
>>
>> *Shipping: Health Science 104 | 32 Campus Drive | 406
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://www.google.com/maps/search/32+Campus+Drive+%7C+406?entry=gmail&source=g___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6Yzc2YTpkNGQwNjJkNzE0ODY1NGY1MzhmMjgxNmU0N2QwMGM2M2U1Nzg2NDFjOWFjNTRhYjQ2MGEzMGNmMTI3NWUzZDM4Omg6VDpO>-243-4743*
>> *Office: Health Science 211*
>>
>> *katrina.derieg at umontana.edu <katrina.derieg at umontana.edu> |
>> umzm at mso.umt.edu <umzm at mso.umt.edu>*
>>
>> *University of Montana*
>>
>> *Search the UMZM collections on Arctos: Birds
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Bird___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6MGI5ZTpiODg1YzllMGU4MjgzZDE4ZDExZjBlMjFiZGJlMTEzZmViZDMwZTI5OTc0NzFhNjYzZDFiNmNiMTllZTMyN2MwOmg6VDpO> |
>> Mammals
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Mamm___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6ZmEyYzpmMzRmYTg0NDEwODAzYWUwM2FmNDgzYzNjYTM4MzIxYzM3NjUyMTI5NWMzNmNhZTE2OWNkYmY1NjA1OGM2NzcwOmg6VDpO> |
>> Eggs & Nests
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Egg___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6YjVjZjpjODhkYzM2NTEzYjgwN2U1YjE1MTc0OTg4MjBlNzVjZDE4MjMwOTdjNmU2NjZkMWMxMWRiMTZjNjg3MzQ4NTdlOmg6VDpO> |
>> Parasites
>> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Para___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJlN2MwZTE5N2ExMDY3MDJjNjQzZTI5OWFkNTA1MGUyOjc6MDk3YjphYmI0N2UwODdjZGI1ZTlmZmM1MmVkNGNmNDc3ZmFhNmY3ZmQwMTFhODVjYjE0ZjQwNTVjYmVjYTVlZTlhMDBmOmg6VDpO>*
>>
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