Frozen Storage: The Importance of the Right Lab Labels & How to Choose

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A lot of labs depend heavily on frozen storage. They have to keep samples for days, months, or even years before testing, transferring them, or using them in future research. This is why reliable cold storage is necessary, as it helps preserve the condition of the samples. Read more about frozen storage in general.

Yet, keeping the samples at the right temperature is just one part of the job. Apart from that, you also have to ensure that they remain clearly and accurately identified. After all, if a label fades, becomes unreadable, or peels away, the sample can become unusable. Plus, in some settings, a labeling mistake can affect research results, create compliance concerns, delay patient care, or lead to the loss of valuable work.

All of this means that laboratories need labels that are specifically designed for frozen and cryogenic environments. The right label is necessary because it will protect sample traceability from the very moment an item is collected until it is removed from storage. Let us now discuss the importance of the right lab labels, and then talk about how you can choose the best ones for your setting.

The Importance of the Right Lab Labels

So, why is choosing the right option suitable for labs so important? For one thing, those standard paper labels are certainly not designed for demanding lab environments. The low temperatures can damage them, thus leading to them becoming difficult to read, especially when there is condensation forming on the container.

The problem can become even more serious when samples have to repeatedly be moved between storage and room temperature. This is why going for Lab Labels that have been designed specifically for these settings is of utmost importance. You need them to withstand extreme cold without falling off, cracking, or lifting.

Reliable labels, as mentioned already, serve to protect sample traceability. They provide more than just a name or a short description. They connect the physical sample to the records that then explain where it came from, how it was handled, when it was collected, as well as what testing or research has been completed. So, when the labels are clear and durable, the staff can retrieve the samples with more confidence, which is absolutely important.

Condensation is, without a doubt, one of the most common challenges in frozen storage. When a vial, tube, or box is removed from a freezer, moisture coming from the surrounding air can quickly form on the actual surface. And if the label is poorly attached or it is printed with unsuitable ink, that can cause the information to blur or to disappear. When you choose those labels that are resistant to moisture, you will get to reduce these risks. All of that will keep your storage system much more organized.

How to Choose the Right Ones for You

The above should have given you a better idea about the importance of, well, going for the right lab labels, instead of just those traditional, paper ones. What you want to know next is how to choose the right ones for you. Let us, thus, share some tips and remind you of the things you should keep in mind when trying to make the best choice and ensure good laboratory practice, as further discussed at https://one.oecd.org/document/env/mc/chem%2898%2917/en/pdf.

First off, you should consider the actual storage temperature before ordering any labels. Identify the lowers temperature that the samples will experience. This is important because some freezer labels that could work well at standard lab freezer temperatures may not be that great for ultra-low freezers or perhaps cryogenic storage. So, do not assume that all of those that are describes as “freezer-safe” will be suitable for your specific conditions. Instead, always consider those conditions in details and read the product specifications carefully to confirm the tested temperature range.

The adhesive is just as important here. This means that you will have to choose the right one for your containers. After all, a durable face material won’t mean anything if the label cannot stay attached to the container. Think about the texture and the surface of the containers, thus, as well as about at which point the label will be applied.

Another highly important thing to consider here is, of course, your choice of supplier. To put things simply, you should find and partner up with a great supplier that will provide you with the perfect quality products that are sure to meet your needs. That is how you will be able to always order the best labels for your environment.

To choose the right suppliers, you should research more of them in detail. Check their experience level, their reputation, the quality of the products they are selling, the quality of customer support, as well as the prices. Then, compare everything and make your final choice.