[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Re: Desktop thermal printers?
Garret Jolma
garretjolma at gmail.com
Fri Mar 27 22:42:52 EDT 2026
Hi Katrina,
We just upgraded our thermal printer to a Cab SQUIX (the 4/300M model, if I
remember), and have had good luck with it so far. It struggles to print
extra small font sizes (alas), but I'm sure with enough tampering of
settings that wouldn't be an issue. For printing normal size labels, it
has been a great machine.
Cheers,
-Garret
Garret Jolma (he/him)
Museum Assistant, Entomology
Yale Peabody Museum
garret.jolma at yale.edu
On Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 2:27 PM Derieg, Katrina <katrina.derieg at mso.umt.edu>
wrote:
> Hi Folks,
> Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds like sticking with the industry standard
> (thermal printing) is the way to go, so to come back to one of my
> questions: any thoughts on the smaller desktop printers? Andy sent along
> the CAB SQUIX recommendation for an affordable industrial printer, which
> I'll definitely consider. Just curious if anyone has had luck with the
> little ones. I'm not in a hurry to purchase since we aren't fluid-fixing
> many new specimens, just trying to weigh all of my options.
>
> Thanks!
> -Katrina
>
> *KATRINA DERIEG **(she/her)*
>
> *Curator | Museum Collections and Outreach Coordinator*
>
> *Phillip L. Wright Zoological Museum (UMZM)*
> https://www.umt.edu/zoological-museum/
>
> *Shipping: Health Science 104 | 32 Campus Drive | 406
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/32+Campus+Drive+%7C+406?entry=gmail&source=g>-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://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Bird>* | *
> *Mammals*
> <https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Mamm>* | **Eggs
> & Nests* <https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Egg>* |
> **Parasites*
> <https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Para>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Dirk
> Neumann <d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
> *Sent:* Friday, March 27, 2026 11:31 AM
> *To:* nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Re: Desktop thermal printers?
>
> Yes, ironing of labels was done in serval German collections, especially
> for early Xerox-printed labels (which in principle is the same as laser
> printing).
>
> High quality pigmented ink that is heated boiled and shot into the paper
> can give very durable results. Below an example were I tried to rub the
> information from a ink jet printed label (HP 600, label was printed around
> 2019). The paper is transparent paper (100g/cm2)
>
>
> Thermal transfer labels usually are very rigid and durable; depending on
> the imprinting and storage medium (e.g. denatured alcohol), the denaturant
> may affect the adhesion of the ribbon or the integrity of the HDPE
>
>
> With best wishes
> Dirk
>
>
>
> Am 27.03.2026 um 14:45 schrieb Simon Moore:
>
> 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>
> <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
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>Biodiversity
> Institute
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Dyche Hall
> *1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*
> *Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*
> *USA
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*
>
> 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://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258>*
>
> *http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
> <http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>*
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Ian Engelbrecht <ianicus.za at gmail.com> <ianicus.za at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 26, 2026 5:16 PM
> *To:* Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu> <abentley at ku.edu>
> *Cc:* Derieg, Katrina <katrina.derieg at mso.umt.edu>
> <katrina.derieg at mso.umt.edu>; Natural History Collections Listserv
> <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu> <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)
> 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
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> *1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345%0D%0A+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,%0D%0A+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*Lawrence,
> KS, 66045-7561
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*
> *USA
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>*
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1345%0D%0A+Jayhawk+Boulevard+%0D%0A+Lawrence,%0D%0A+KS,+66045-7561+%0D%0A+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>
> 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://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258>*
>
> *http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
> <http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>*
>
> 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://brothermobilesolutions.com/products/printers/td/td-4/td4520tn/> 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/
>
> *Shipping: Health Science 104 | 32 Campus Drive | 406
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/32+Campus+Drive+%7C+406?entry=gmail&source=g>-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://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Bird> | Mammals
> <https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Mamm> | Eggs &
> Nests <https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Egg> |
> Parasites <https://arctos.database.museum/search.cfm?guid_prefix=UMZM:Para>*
>
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