FW: Dot matrix vs. laser printed labels

[Barry M. OConnor]

>I have heard that herbarium labels printed with inkjet or
>laser printers will eventually smudge and become unreadable.
>Dot matrix printers "hammer" ink onto the paper, and supposedly
>produce a more durable label.  Has this been confirmed or refuted
>by any tests?
>
>Michael Chamberland

We've used both laser and dot-matrix printers for insect labels and haven't
had any problem with labels which are kept dry.  People had lots of
problems with laser printed labels for alcohol specimens so I don't think
most people are using that technique for wet labels.  We do use a 24-pin
dot matrix printer for alcohol labels and, other than a little initial
fading, these are holding up well.

Barry M. OConnor                phone: (313) 763-4354
Museum of Zoology               FAX: (313) 763-4080
University of Michigan          e-mail: bmoc at umich.edu
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079  USA