Cindy,

There is not much out there.

If you want dedicated commercial software then there is a histotech who has 
a company called Major Focus who makes a histology label program. It is DOS 
based but will run on Windows 95. It has can make labels for slides and 
chemicals. It can be used as a stand-alone program or interfaced with an LIS 
(for a fee). The program is old but it works.

Major Focus, 3352 Brooks Pl, Granite Falls, NC, 28630, Greg Good.
Phohe/Fax; 828-313-0923, email: majorfocus@aol.com

DAKO makes the Seymour labeler (a thermal printer). You have to use the 
label maker with the software. It won't work on a laser printer. The labels 
are the best. They are tough and completely chemical resistant. The software 
is pretty much like typing individual labels, unless you make many 
duplicates. You can't interface with any other program.

I have been using the laser printer for many years but I developed my own 
software using databases like Filemaker Pro (FilmakerPro) and Microsoft 
Access. I have had a lot of trouble finding decent histology labels.

The primary criteria I have had:
1) Histology labels of 24mm by 24mm or 7/8inch x 7/8 inch
2) be on a 81/2 x 11 inch sheet.
3) be capable of use in the laser printer (8mm margin minimum).
4) be capable of several passes in the laser printer.
5) the print must not come off even with vigorous scratching.
6) for cryo use, capable of standing up to freezing and wet conditions.

(I didn't make chemical resistance a criteria because the labels are 
typically attached to the slide after all work is done. If you want chemical 
resistance, thermal printer labels, such as the DAKO Seymour, are the best)

I have tried many but have only found one maker that I am partially 
satisfied with (Nalgene PolyPaper). Their labels meet all the criteria but, 
unfortunately, Nalgene has made a huge mistake in formatting the labels on 
the sheet: the labels on the edge of the sheet are too close to the edge 
(2mm margin) to print on with a normal laser printer so that only 54 of 88 
labels are printable. In fact, all the Nalgene PolyPaper laser labels have 
this problem. I have contacted Nalgene several times asking them to correct 
this problem, but they don't seem interested for some reason.

Other than that the Nalgene labels are excellent. They are the right size 
and are very scratch resistant. They can also be put through the laser 
printer many, many times with no adverse effects on the label.


Nalgene labels (Labels, Histology Slide, Nalgene Polypaper, Fisher 
Scientific, CAT# 13-382-87A,  88 labels per sheet, 10 sheets per pack, 
$25/pk. these are designed for the laser printer


Another company that makes an excellent label is CILS. They have a label 
that is 1" x 3/4", which is usable as a slide label but will be difficult to 
get on the slide without overlapping the edge. They cannot be put through 
the laser printer more than three times without discoloring to grey. they 
are good labels abut are about twice as expensive as the Nalgene.

Computer Imprintable Label Systems (CILS)
100 Cummings Center - 465E
Beveryly, MA USA 01915
email: Sales@cils-labels.com
Attention: Christine Koretz, Technical Sales Executive
(This company is based in England, and goes by the same name there)
http://www.cils-labels.com/S_Pcils-labels/cilsform.html

Below is a post to the Histonet about labels and labelers. Some are specific 
to histology. Most are for clinical labs only (bar codes, multiple labels 
etc.).

ate: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 09:41:55 -0500 (EST)
                       From: Carla Jarrett <cjarrett@calc.vet.uga.edu>  Save 
Address Block Sender
                       Subject: labels:summary
                       To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu


Thanks to everyone that sent information about their slide labeling
systems.  Here is a summary of the information I received.  My
apologies if I leave anyone out.  Every reply was appreciated.

I will only include details if the company appears to have what I
needed.  I was looking for an approx. one inch square label that
came on 81/2 X 11 inch sheets to be printed out using my ink-jet
printer and Excell.

1. TIMEMED has labels and a label program.  (800-382-3371).
Reasonable prices.  Nice people.

2. Ventana Medical Systems has a barcode printer.  www.ventanamed.com

3. Midco Labels in England may have the sheet labels.  I did not
call.  Tel: 0116 277 4244

4. Nalgene labels (Labels, Histology Slide, Nalgene Polypaper, Fisher 
Scientific, CAT#13-382-87A,  88 labels per sheet, 10 sheets per pack, 
$25/pk. these are designed for the laser printer

5. Tough Tags (www.divbio.com) did not have the size I needed.
6. DAKO sells a slide labeling system.  800-235-5743

7. Lablemaster (800-621-5808) &  Reliable Office Supply
(800-735-4000) & Avery Dennison (800-252-8379) did not have the size
I needed.

8. Shamrock Labels might be a good source, but I do not have their #
and could not locate them on the web (their labels are lousy anyway(TM)).

9. Scientific Device Laboratory has a label program and labels.  I
have not contacted them yet.  No. 847-803-9495
10. Image Computer Systems  has a label program.
Tel 0202 876064   Also contact www.chassoc.co.uk as a supplier of
this program.
11. Surgipath has labels.  It is best to contact the sales rep for
your area and avoid the phone operators.  Nice labels, but must buy a
  large volume, which gets pricey.

That's about it.
Carla Jarrett

Tim Morken, B.A., EMT(MSA), HTL(ASCP)
Infectious Disease Pathology
Centers for Disease Control
MS-G32
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA

email: tim9@cdc.gov
       timcdc@hotmail.com

FAX:  (404)639-3043


----Original Message Follows----
From: Cynthia A Delong <DELONG_CYNTHIA_A@LILLY.COM>
To: histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Slide labels
Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 09:09:59 -0500



Hello everyone,

Does anyone have info on a slide label program that is compatiable with 
laser
printers?  If so, I would like the information on it.

Thank you,
Cindy DeLong
C.Delong@lilly.com








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