Laboratory labelling – a clear solution

Why let a simple smudge or even illegible handwriting can ruin an experiment? Here Liz Gallagher, product expert with labelling specialist Brady, gives us the lowdown on printed labels

We’re all looking for ways of improving processes and working more efficiently to save ourselves time and money. Laboratories across the nation are seeking expert advice on ways to improve in these areas - could a simple change in the way specimens and samples are identified be the answer?

Q. Handwritten or printed labels – what are the big issues?

The two biggest advantages of printed labels over handwritten sample identification are greatly improved legibility and increased information content. Unreadable labels or incomplete sample details can cause fatal flaws in your laboratory data trail!

Whether you use a pencil or pen, handwriting on a label can very easily become smudged with normal handling. It may be washed away by accidental contact with solvents, or fade significantly during long-term storage. Even without these hazards, reading someone else’s writing is often problematic and subject to error: is that a number one or the letter I; a five or a capital S? Space is also a problem, for example in the case of the limited write-on areas on tubes. Legibility is further decreased and identification potentially compromised if information has to be abbreviated or omitted.

On the other hand, printed labels provide crisp, instantly legible type which, when created using compatible print media, will not smear or fade even under extreme conditions. The clarity of printed text at sizes down to 4-point means that you can fit much more information into the same space. Date and time-stamping can be automatically included and, for even richer information content and machine-reading, linear or 2D barcodes can be incorporated into the label design.

Q. Printed labels look very clear, but will they stay attached to my sample containers?

Durability is a major requirement for laboratory labelling. The wide range of label types and print technologies available today ensures that vital sample information can be protected against any laboratory conditions. Whether your samples are subjected to low-temperature freezing in liquid nitrogen, autoclaving at 121ºC, or harsh chemicals and solvents such as xylene, there is a label which can be relied upon to remain attached and fully legible.

With a choice of specialist adhesives and durable materials for label manufacture, and the development of innovative self-laminating or wraparound configurations, you can select labels which withstand extreme temperatures, specific chemicals or stick to frozen surfaces.

Q. How will long-term storage affect my labels?

Laboratory and biological samples often have to be stored for very long periods: for legal reasons; for archiving; for GLP compliance or simply to preserve them for future use. Handwritten labels are particularly prone to fading after long-term storage – leading to irretrievable sample loss if the identification data becomes indecipherable.

Providing that you select a suitable label material and compatible ink type, printed labels can reliably protect sample identities, even after long-term storage in liquid nitrogen. For example, Brady’s self-laminating labels for vials, tubes and slides combine a white label with a clear overlaminating strip which protects the legend and allows sample visibility.

Q. What types of label printer are available?

You can choose from a wide range of devices, starting from small handheld printers designed as an economical way of labelling up to 25 vials or slides at a time. At the other end of the scale are rugged benchtop thermal transfer (THT) units capable of producing thousands of labels each day at higher print resolutions.

Consider your requirements for label quantities and materials, as well as the advantages of printers which are compatible with laboratory labelling software. Templates for different slides, tubes, well plates and other consumables save time when designing labels and allow you to include features such as auto-serialisation, barcoding and time and date-stamping.

Durable lab labels for various applications are also available for use in an office laser printer. You may opt to take this route rather than purchasing a dedicated label printer, using a program such as Brady IdentiLab or BradySoft software to create the labels on your PC.

Q. There are so many types of labels – how do I choose the right one for my application?

Start with the items you need to label: what size and type of tubes, slides, plates, dishes or flasks do you use? Do you need removable labels or must they remain permanently attached? Next, what conditions do the labels need to withstand: extreme high or low temperatures, chemicals or solvents?

At bradyeurope.com the online Brady label material selection guide enables you to specify options for each of nine criteria, from technical considerations such as chemical resistance, service temperature and print technology, to the colour and finish of labels. Once the material criteria are entered, you will be presented with a list of the available label types which meet your requirements.

Remember that to achieve permanence under the desired conditions it is essential to use the correct combination of print ribbon and label material. Brady offers technical advice on making the right match, and custom labels can also be produced for particularly challenging situations.

Q. Will printing labels save time in the lab?

With print speeds of up to 70 labels per second there are certainly significant time savings to be made compared with hand-writing large numbers of labels. But printed labels of any quantity also save time by being so much quicker and easier to read, for instance when searching through archived samples. And of course the use of barcodes enables machine reading and increases laboratory efficiency at every stage of sample processing.

Q. Can printed labels help me comply with regulatory standards?

Brady’s labelling systems are developed by scientists with first-hand knowledge of the issues surrounding sample identification and traceability in the laboratory. Barcodes are the route to compatibility with LIMS and other data systems which help you meet Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Linear or 2D barcodes printed with high contrast between black and white bars mean that samples can be quickly identified, eliminating human errors in data entry and facilitating accurate sample tracking and automatic sample information updates.