There are various materials for labeling artifacts.  The old school way is
to use clear coat nailpolish and india ink.  The problem is that
reversibility is messy and will damage the artifact, especially painted and
varnished surfaces. Many places use B-72 acryloid, sold by University
Products, Gaylord, and other archival suppliers. It is preferable to
nailpollish, but reversibility is still an issue.  I've worked with several
conservators who recommend: printing the object number out on acid-free
paper with laser jet ink, putting down a base of water soluble adhesive onto
the artifact, and placing the label on that. It seems to have good wear, is
safely reversible, and you don't have the added issue of reading someone's
handwriting (is it a 7 or a 4 or a 9??). The adhesives are available from
all of the archival suppliers (all catalogs are available online).

Michelle


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Lancer 525
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 2:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Seeking materials for accessioning/regisration project

I've recently begun working on catching up the catalog of artifacts and 
other inventory of the small museum for which I work, and one of the things 
that has come up that I do not have in my supplies, is the "stuff" you put 
on an artifact on which you write the accession number.

There is also a clear coating that you put over this "base" that seals the 
ink. I not only don't know where to find this kind of thing, but I don't 
even know what it is called.

Also, if anyone can suggest sources for this, (preferably online sources) as

well as good archival pens with which to mark artifacts, I would appreciate 
it!

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