Chemical Resistant Labels
Understanding the chemical-resistance capabilities of labels will help keep your samples and laboratory safe and organised. These labels have been categorised into 4 tables based on printing format (thermal transfer, direct thermal, laser printer and write-on) and include the details of their chemical resistance when the selected printed format is used.
A label selection and printing guide is also available.
Thermal Transfer Printing
Thermal transfer printers provide printing to withstand harsh environments, ideal for applications requiring chemical resistance.
| Label Chemical Resistance |
Xylene Immersion Resistance Time |
Temperature Range | Application/Adhesive | |
|
|
Alcohols, xylene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone, thinners, commercial cleaners, as well as window cleaners and surface sanitising wipes. |
Up to 15min | -20°C to +98°C | Reagent bottles and containers, permanent and removable adhesive. |
|
|
Concentrated Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), Nitricacid (HNO3), Hydrochloric acid (HCL),Hydrofluoric acid (HF), TrichloroaceticAcid (TCA), as well as Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). |
Up to 5min | -80°C to +100°C | Reagent bottles and containers, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene, ethanol, formalin, acetic acid, as well as eosin, hematoxylin and special(counter) stains. Xylene substitutes such as EZ Prep, Clearify, Histo-Clear, Formula 83, Pro-Par and others. Acidic/basic buffers. |
N/A | -80°C to +120°C | Microscope slides, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene, ethanol, formalin, acetic acid, as well as eosin, hematoxylin and special (counter) stains. Xylene substitutes such as EZ Prep, Clearify, Histo-Clear, Formula 83, Pro-Par and others. Acidic/basic buffers. |
Up to 120min |
-80°C to +120°C | Formalin immersion, non-adhesive. |
 |
Xylene, toluene, alcohol, and other solvents. |
Up to 15min | -55°C to +70°C | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Alcohols, xylene, toluene, acetone, formalin as well as other harsh chemicals, solvents and histological stains. |
Up to 30min | -80°C to +149°C | Epoxy embedded EM blocks, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK and other solvents, hematoxylin/eosin |
Up to 30min | -80°C to +149°C | Microscope slides, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene and other harsh solvents, alcohols, and stains. |
24hrs+ | -80°C to +120°C | Microscope slides, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene and other harsh solvents, alcohols, and stains. |
Up to 5hrs | -80°C to +120°C | Microscope slides, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK and other solvents. |
Up to 15min | -196°C to +100°C | Microscope slides, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Alcohols, such as ethanol and isopropanol. |
Not Resistant | -79°C to +93°C +20°C to 100°C |
Microscope slides, permanent and removable adhesive. |
 |
Most laboratory solvents, short-term resistance to acetone and xylene |
-40°C to 150°C |
Microtubes, microplates, bottles and other laboratory containers, acrylic-based adhesive. |
|
See printers |
Direct Thermal Printing
Direct thermal printers use rolls of labels coated with a leuco dye which changes colour when heat is applied.
| Label Chemical Resistance |
Xylene Immersion Resistance Time |
Temperature Range | Application/Adhesive | |
|
Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK, and other solvents. |
Up to 30min | -196°C to +70°C | Cryo vials, tubes, and other containers, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK, and other solvents. |
Up to 30min | -196°C to +70°C | Cryo vials, tubes, and other containers, permanent adhesive. |
 |
Most laboratory solvents, short-term resistance to acetone and xylene. |
Beakers, bottles, flasks, glass vials, tubes, tube racks and pipettes. | ||
 |
Chemicals and solvents |
-80°C to RT | Plastics, glass, metals and even paperboard boxes. |
Direct thermal printer
Laser Printing
Laser desktop printers use toner cartridges to produce a smudge-proof, waterproof, UV-resistant, and cryogenic-resistant printout with various colours.
| Label Chemical Resistance |
Xylene Immersion Resistance Time |
Temperature Range | Application/Adhesive | |
 |
Chemically inert labels resist most organic solvents and caustic agents. |
-196°C to 150°C | Cryo vials, microtubes, test tubes, glass vials, beakers and metal racks. Siliconised surfaces should be avoided. | |
 |
Chemically inert, polyester sheets resist most organic solvents and caustic agents. |
-40°C to 121°C | Microtubes, test tubes, storage boxes and other microscope slides. | |
 |
Chemically inert labels resist most organic solvents and caustic agents. |
-196°C to 150°C | Cryo vials, microtubes, test tubes, glass vials, beakers and metal racks. | |
 |
Chemically inert labels resist most organic solvents and caustic agents. |
-196°C to 150°C | Cryo vials, microtubes, test tubes, glass vials, beakers and metal racks. Siliconised surfaces should be avoided. | |
 |
Chemicals and solvents. |
-80°C to RT | Plastics, glass, metals and even paperboard boxes. | |
Label sheet templates for MS Word
Write-On Labels
Write-on labels are for use with varying forms of laboratory pens and markers. There are a range of Chemical Resistant Pens also.
| Label Chemical Resistance |
Xylene Immersion Resistance Time |
Temperature Range | Application/Adhesive | |
|
Most laboratory solvents, short-term resistance to acetone and xylene. |
-40°C to 121°C | Microtubes, test tubes, storage boxes and other microscope slides. | |
|
Organic solvents and caustic agents. |
-196°C to 80°C | Bakeware for use in ovens. Siliconised surfaces should be avoided. | |
|
Chemicals and solvents. |
-80°C to RT | Plastics, glass, metals and even paperboard boxes. |