中文The California Academy of Sciences, home to one of the world’s largest entomology collections, has turned to Epson ColorWorks on-demand color label printers to modernize the way it manages more than 18 million insect specimens spread across 35,000 wooden drawers.
A Labeling System at Museum Scale
Natural history collections are notoriously difficult to organize. Scientific names change frequently as DNA analysis and taxonomic revision reshape how species are classified. For a collection holding 18 million specimens, even a small naming update can require replacing thousands of labels. Multiply that by decades of taxonomic revisions, and the scale of the labeling challenge becomes clear.
Until recently, the Academy’s entomology department printed sheets of tray labels and cut them by hand. For millions of specimens, that process was slow, wasteful and impractical. The department needed a system that could produce durable, color-coded, standardized labels on demand without outsourcing or manual cutting. Outsourcing was not a realistic option because the volume, frequency and customization required were too high for any external supplier to handle efficiently.
Chris Grinter, the Academy’s collection manager of entomology, said the institution was looking for a reliable, scalable solution. “The ColorWorks printer made it possible for us to implement this change at scale,” he said.
Bio-Geographic Color Coding
Working with Elisha Karan at Kenco Label, the Academy selected Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000A color label printers combined with BarTender label design software. The printers produce durable, perforated labels that can be customized and generated exactly when needed.
The new labeling system assigns a distinct color and numeric identifier to each of 10 bio-geographic regions. The design is intended to be both scientifically useful and accessible to people with color vision deficiency. This is a significant improvement over older color-coding systems that were tied to geography and could be difficult to interpret or maintain.
“We print labels every day,” Grinter said. “Whether we’re replacing outdated species names, updating taxonomy or rolling out a new regional system, we can generate exactly the number of labels we need without wasting full letter-sized sheets or spending hours cutting them by hand.”
The on-demand nature of the system is particularly important because scientific names change constantly. A label that is correct today may need revision next year. With ColorWorks, the Academy can update templates and reprint as needed rather than maintaining large stocks of pre-printed labels that may become obsolete.
Durability for Decades
Entomology collections are built to last for generations, so label durability matters. Epson’s inkjet technology is designed to produce long-lasting labels that resist heat and moisture, unlike thermal labels that can fade over time. The Academy team also selected perforated label stock to streamline production, and after printing thousands of labels, consistency and reliability have remained high.
Beyond replacing old labels, the Academy uses a WorkForce WF-M1030 printer with pigment-based ink to produce alcohol-resistant labels for jars and vials containing specimens preserved in liquid. The ability to print directly onto high-quality, alcohol-resistant paper has improved clarity and longevity compared to handwritten lids. The department has even designed round stickers for vial tops and plans to add a second ColorWorks printer so it can operate both a tray-label station and a round-sticker station simultaneously.
Broader Lessons for Labeling Applications
The Academy’s experience illustrates how on-demand color label printing can solve problems that are difficult to address with bulk printing or outsourced production. For organizations that need frequent, customized, durable labels, the ability to print in-house on demand can eliminate waste, reduce labor and improve accuracy.
Connie Kuo, product manager at Epson America, said the project demonstrates how ColorWorks printers are used across diverse applications. “ColorWorks has brought organization and efficiency to the Academy’s entomology collection with can’t-miss-it color, improving inventory management and operations,” she said.
For the printing and labeling industry, the installation is a reminder that scientific, archival and high-volume environments represent significant opportunities for on-demand color label technology. Museums, laboratories, healthcare facilities and logistics operations all face similar challenges: they need labels that are accurate, durable, customized and produced quickly. The California Academy of Sciences’ entomology collection provides a high-profile example of how the right label printing technology can support mission-critical work at scale.
Implications for Label Manufacturers
As more organizations discover the benefits of on-demand color labeling, the market for compact, reliable inkjet label printers is likely to grow. Manufacturers that can demonstrate durability, ease of integration with design software, and low total cost of ownership will have an advantage. The Academy of Sciences case also highlights the importance of partnership between label printer vendors and value-added resellers who understand specific industry workflows.
For converters and label suppliers, the lesson is that opportunities exist well beyond traditional consumer product labeling. Scientific, archival, healthcare and industrial applications all require specialized label solutions, and the ability to print on demand in these environments can unlock new revenue streams.
The project also demonstrates how label printing can contribute to broader organizational goals such as accessibility, efficiency and sustainability. By eliminating pre-printed label waste and reducing manual labor, the Academy has built a system that is both more effective and less resource-intensive.
Source: WhatTheyThink
