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Post by Paul K on Mar 29, 2016 6:48:06 GMT
This is one example of my label. I find very useful to have the species name on the same label than the rest. Too many labels can create a mess and you can damage specimens by trying to read them all.
I also keep old labels when I acquire spread specimens.
I have removed some pins from dried specimens and put another one, but I confirm it can be risky. I would not recommend doing it with rare specimens, relaxing them takes one night, damaging them one second. Do you know approx. measurements of your labels ? I have design one, but to fit all data including name make may label at 24x18mm. Once I come back to Canada I have to try to print and see if I could make font smaller. Now I use 5 pts. Paul
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 29, 2016 7:05:50 GMT
I write them on Word, Times New Roman, size 5.
So they measure between 2 and 3 cm large, about 2 cm high.
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Post by Paul K on Mar 29, 2016 7:36:26 GMT
I write them on Word, Times New Roman, size 5. So they measure between 2 and 3 cm large, about 2 cm high. Thanks Olivier. So my size I guess is not too big then, as Denny use 22X17mm also. I will have to try reduce size for small specimens though.
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Post by deliasfanatic on Mar 29, 2016 13:29:32 GMT
I use CG Omega, 5 points. If there is a lot of data to write, I reduce it to 4 points. For the small Lycaenid labels, I use 3.5 points if necessary....very tiny but still legible if you have good close vision!
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 31, 2016 16:55:44 GMT
It's important to use a laser printer; inkjet printer ink is not permanent, and it can fade or become smeared/obscured over time from insect oil or other contaminants. I am curious about this point. I read up a bit about laser printers, and it seems that the laser does not actually print onto the paper itself but creates an image on the printer drum which then becomes coated in ink and is rolled at high temperature onto the paper. Since laser printers still use ink why should the ink be any more permanent than that of an inkjet printer?
I also remember seeing a recommendation elsewhere that the paper should be non-acidic, presumably so that it does not corrode the pin over time. I can understand this point, but am not so sure about the laser printer ink issue. Nowadays laser printers are much cheaper than they used to be, and if there is a genuine improvement in label longevity, then I agree it would be important to use one. I seem to understand that the other advantage of laser printing is a much sharper print job than with an inkjet printer, which is certainly important for small size labels. Adam.
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Post by deliasfanatic on Mar 31, 2016 17:12:39 GMT
The "ink" in laser printers is a solid (powdered toner), not liquid dye. Dye ink always has the possibility to fade or run; pigment is basically permanent. Non-acidic paper is better because it won't yellow in the way that acidic paper does.
I should point out that there are a few inkjet printers that use archival pigment ink; they are relatively rare and expensive, used to make long-lasting photographic prints. I have one, which uses wide paper, and which I use to print for my photographic clients (and for my own photographs). It's high maintenance, high cost, and has a lot of annoying quirks. The small desktop printers made for consumer use are nearly all (if not completely) using dye-based pigment, which can fade in a matter of weeks, depending on exposure to light, sun, chemicals, etc.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 31, 2016 22:00:57 GMT
Thanks for the interesting information. I didn't realise how different the 'ink' is.
Adam.
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Post by Paul K on May 3, 2016 15:33:27 GMT
My newly design entomological label. first section contains name of the specimen, second : locality including GPS coordinates , third: date and collector's name. I have also purchased an inexpensive black and white laser printer thanks to Denny's advice and I must say what a difference. The photo here is not so sharp made with my iPhone but the actual label is very sharp and easy to read even a small 4 point size print. Thanks everyone for their input in this project. Paul
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jhyatt
Aurelian
Posts: 224
Country: U.S.A.
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Post by jhyatt on Jun 19, 2016 13:27:49 GMT
I also like to put the species name on the same label with the data. And I always print the entire letter in boldface type. At my age, even 5 point type is sometimes a bit difficult to read, and the BF print makes it more legible.
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jwms
New Aurelian
Posts: 2
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Post by jwms on Apr 12, 2020 19:08:34 GMT
Laser printers put the toner as a powder on the drum where the laser erases the charge to produce the image. the image is then transferred to the paper with a reverse charge. If you take the paper out of the printer (as in a jam) before it goes through the fuser it can be wiped off - messy -!!! The fuser uses heat and pressure to melt the toner and squeeze it into the paper fibers. Toner is usually made up of polyester plastic, beeswax and carbon black (for black). I like the 5 line label with the species name but I put mine on the bottom. You can also set the font size to 4.5 if you need a little larger but not to large. Stumbled into the site this morning and really like it. bookmark, bookmark!!!
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