School Laboratory Labeling
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School Laboratory Labelers

According to OSHA's recommendations for chemical hygiene in laboratories, prominent signs and labels of the following types must be posted:

(a) Emergency telephone numbers of emergency personnel / facilities, supervisors and laboratory workers.

(b) Identity labels, showing contents of containers (including waste receptacles) and associated hazards.

(c) Location signs (directional signs) for safety showers, eyewash stations, other safety and first aid equipment, exits and areas where food and beverage consumption and storage are permitted.

(d) Warnings in areas or on equipment where special or unusual hazards exist

In laboratories there are four current labeling challenges associated with sample container tracking: sizing, legibility, durability and increased information requirements. In many cases labels are handwritten or made on paper that can not withstand exposure to extreme temperatures and solvents.

Some laboratories use office labelers, paper laser labels or possibly handwriting directly on the samples. These are the most common methods for identification in laboratories today, but they are not good solutions.

Office labels are not designed for the freezer, liquid nitrogen, and autoclave or hot water baths. They tend to fall off when exposed to extreme temperatures or hot water baths.

Laser labels, like the office labelers, are also not typically durable enough for the laboratory environment. In addition, you'll find that laser labels are not cost effective or convenient. In most cases a lot of labels wasted when the laboratory needs to print fewer than an entire sheet of labels.

Hand written labels are difficult to read. The ink can smear, fade or even completely wash away when exposed to chemicals and solvents.

Plus with all of these labeling methods you can not take advantage of the efficiencies you can get with a professional label printer, such as the ability to use bar codes.

The solution is to use a laboratory quality, thermal transfer label printer that has been designed for laboratory use, and for which specialized laboratory labels are available. What do you look for in a laboratory labeler?

Usable Anywhere: First look for a labeler that you can use where the labeling needs to be done. A large, desktop machine sitting in the corner is not very convenient. A handheld, or a portable desktop label allows you to take the label printer wherever it is needed. Also, instead of purchasing one large machine, it is generally better to have several smaller, handheld label printers -- allowing a number of lab technicians to each have the labeling capabilities they need at the same time.

Automatic Features: Labels on samples typically need to be dated. Look for a labeler that has a built-in date/time stamp that provides the ability to automatically print the exact date and time documentation right on the label. Also, a serialization feature and preprogrammed vial sizes ( .6 ml, 1.5 ml, 2-4 ml) and slide labels will help to save laboratory personnel time.

Color Labels: Look for a labeler that has multiple label colors available. This allows you to color code bottles, flasks and shelves for general laboratory identification.

A Large Selection of Label Types and Sizes: Laboratory labels are typically die cut to the specific size needed for each item to be labeled. Before purchasing a laboratory labeler be sure that supplies are available for all conceivable labeling requirements. Also keep in mind that the labels must be able to withstand extreme lab conditions.

Laboratory Symbols: Your label printer should have all the symbols you'll need built into the label printer. Having to connect the labeler to a PC every time you need to print a symbol on a label, takes time and is not convenient.

Banner Mode for General Labeling: Don't be limited by your label printer. Be sure not to get a labeler that is so specialized that it can not be used for standard general labeling.