> Karen Anderson  asks:

>Hewlett Packard told us that their carbon-based laserjet technology
>is "archival". Is that not true?  Standard inkjet is definitely not
>(just try getting a page printed on an inkjet wet!). We have been
>assuming that our laserjet on archival paper would stand the test of
>time.

>> The only thing close to atrue archival printing method we have discovered
>> is by reinking Hewlett Packard inkjet cartridges- and that's a messy and
>>  imperfect process.

We have found that wet labels produced on our HP 4Si are clear and crisp and
relatively bleed-proof, BUT they have very poor abrasion resistance.  First
generation photocopies (Savin 5230) are darker and slightly less crisp, but
significantly higher in resistance to abrasion (folding label in half and
rubbing sides together, scratching with fingernail, etc...).  I understand
this is due to the difference in the temperature of the heating/fixation
element.

Our present procedure is to use photocopied labels and to write the
catalogue and/or acquisition number on the back in an alcohol-proof carbon
ink (the best we have found so far is Hunt's Speedball Super Black India ink
allowed to dry for at least 5 minutes (heating helps).)

Judith A. Fournier
General Invertebrate Collections
Canadian Museum of Nature.