Laboratories can be a busy and hostile place for labels. Maintaining the integrity of your samples is crucial, and having confidence knowing your lab is correctly identifying, tracking, and managing samples will help you sleep at night.

The lab environment will test even the most durable labels. Exposure to extreme temperatures is common in lab processes and sample storage. Autoclaves are used to sterilize containers by subjecting them to pressurized saturated steam at 121 °C. On the other hand, extremely cold temperatures or cryogenic storage can go as low as -196°C. The use of chemicals is typically to dry samples out, utilize color to define test results, and clean or sterilize. All of these processes require very harsh chemicals that are designed to dissolve almost everything they come in contact with. Therefore, labels typically require specialized engineering to withstand such extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and storage environments.

With the fast pace of a clinical trial, or the urgent samples required for a patient diagnosis there is no time for labels falling off tubes or smudging through handling. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when searching for the right label:

  1. Make sure the labels you are using are engineered for your specific application. Whether they are exposed to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures, it’s important to remember all laboratory processes are different, and have different labeling requirements. Let your supplier know all of your specifications to ensure you receive the right labels for your application.
  2. Use an automated labeling system to apply your labels. Labels are sometimes too small to apply correctly and the adhesive can be accidently touched or rubbed which can ruin the effectiveness of the adhesive. Automated labeling systems will guarantee a percise label placement and the adhesive will remain intact.
  3. Don’t forget the barcode. Tracking is more critical than ever and barcoding is the best means to accomplish this. Barcode integrity is only achieved when the proper label material and barcode ribbon is used in making the label.

For more information visit https://www.ssetechnologies.com/laboratory-healthcare-labels/