California Academy of Sciences Modernizes Entomology Collection with Epson's On-Demand Label Printers
Event summary
- The California Academy of Sciences deployed Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000A printers to replace an outdated geography-based color-coding system for its 18 million insect specimens.
- The new bio-geographic color labeling standard is inclusive, color-blind friendly, and scientifically useful, with 10 regions assigned distinct colors and numeric identifiers.
- Epson's inkjet technology provides durable labels that withstand heat and moisture, replacing thermal labels that fade over time.
- The Academy plans to integrate its database systems with BarTender label printing software in the next year.
The big picture
The adoption of on-demand label printing technology by the California Academy of Sciences highlights a broader trend in scientific institutions leveraging modern solutions to improve accessibility and manage vast collections more efficiently. This shift towards digital labeling systems reflects the increasing importance of data-driven approaches in natural history research, where precise organization is critical for global scientific access.
What we're watching
- Technology Integration
- How the Academy's planned integration of its database systems with BarTender software will impact operational efficiency.
- Scalability
- Whether Epson can leverage this success to expand into other scientific and research institutions.
- Durability Testing
- The pace at which the durability of Epson's inkjet labels will be tested under real-world conditions in the entomology collection.
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