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. See printers here.

Label Chemical Resistance	Xylene Immersion Resistance Time	Temperature Range	Application/Adhesive
ChemicoTAG 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.
AcidiTAG Concentrated Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), Nitric acid (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.
FormaliTAG Xylene, ethanol, formalin, acetic acid, as well as eosin, haematoxylin 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.
HistoLAM Xylene, ethanol, formalin, acetic acid, as well as eosin, haematoxylin 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.
ParafiTAG Xylene, toluene, alcohol, and other solvents.	Up to 15min	-55°C to +70°C	Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks, permanent adhesive.
ResiTAG 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.
StainTUFF Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK and other solvents, hematoxylin/eosin	Up to 30min	-80°C to +149°C	Microscope slides, permanent adhesive.
XyliSTUCK Xylene and other harsh solvents, alcohols, and stains.	24hrs+	-80°C to +120°C	Microscope slides, permanent adhesive.
XyliFIL Xylene and other harsh solvents, alcohols, and stains.	Up to 5hrs	-80°C to +120°C	Microscope slides, permanent adhesive.
XyliTRANS Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK and other solvents.	Up to 15min	-196°C to +100°C	Microscope slides, permanent adhesive.
Solvent-Resistant Blackout Alcohols, such as ethanol and isopropanol.	Not Resistant	-79°C to +93°C +20°C to 100°C	Microscope slides, permanent and removable adhesive.
Tough-Tags 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.

Direct Thermal Printing

Direct thermal printers use rolls of labels coated with a leuco dye which changes colour when heat is applied. See printers here.

Label Chemical Resistance	Xylene Immersion Resistance Time	Temperature Range	Application/Adhesive
DYMO Compatible CryoSTUCK Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK, and other solvents.	Up to 30min	-196°C to +70°C	Cryo vials, tubes, and other containers, permanent adhesive.
CryoSTUCK Xylene, toluene, alcohol, MEK, and other solvents.	Up to 30min	-196°C to +70°C	Cryo vials, tubes, and other containers, permanent adhesive.
Direct Thermal Tough-Tag Most laboratory solvents, short-term resistance to acetone and xylene.			Beakers, bottles, flasks, glass vials, tubes, tube racks and pipettes.
Direct Thermal WetGrip Chemicals and solvents		-80°C to RT	Plastics, glass, metals and even paperboard boxes.

Laser Printing

Laser desktop printers use toner cartridges to produce a smudge-proof, waterproof, UV-resistant, and cryogenic-resistant printout with various colours. See Label sheet templates for MS Word.

Label Chemical Resistance	Xylene Immersion Resistance Time	Temperature Range	Application/Adhesive
Laser Cryo-Tag 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.
Laser Tough-Tag 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.
Laser Tough-Spot 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.
Laser Cryo-Babies 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.
Laser WetGrip Chemicals and solvents.		-80°C to RT	Plastics, glass, metals and even paperboard boxes.

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
Write-On Tough-Tag Most laboratory solvents, short-term resistance to acetone and xylene.		-40°C to 121°C	Microtubes, test tubes, storage boxes and other microscope slides.
Specialty Tough-Tag Organic solvents and caustic agents.		-196°C to 80°C	Bakeware for use in ovens. Siliconised surfaces should be avoided.
Write-on WetGrip Chemicals and solvents.		-80°C to RT	Plastics, glass, metals and even paperboard boxes.