I came across page size Tyvek at one point but Tom Chase warned me not to put it through the a desktop printer…it melts (nasty mess). You might be able to find a synthetically sized polymer based paper with a stability to heat and thin enough to resist the damage to a printer. Have you searched among label stores and bar code supplies? Non-wovens?

From: Textile Conservators <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Dee Stubbs-Lee
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 9:33 AM
To: ListServ texcons <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: accession number labelling methods for textile artifacts

Thanks, Mary. I’m actually looking for advice on label making methods that do not require a typewriter.

Dee

From: Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ballard, Mary
Sent: November 19, 2019 10:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: accession number labelling methods for textile artifacts

Have you tried Vermont Country Store https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/searchresults?Ntt=typewritier%20ribbon&Rdm=395&searchType=simple&type=search ?

From: Textile Conservators <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Dee Stubbs-Lee
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 8:19 AM
To: ListServ texcons <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: accession number labelling methods for textile artifacts

For many years, we have been running Hollytex through a typewriter to produce accession number labels for our textile and costume artifacts. We liked these labels because they were small and discreet, but still easily legible. As it becomes increasingly difficult to get typewriter ribbons for our last operational typewriter, we are looking for alternative ideas from other institutions. We have also tried using Microperm and similar pigment pens on various substrates, with mixed success. Our collection manager has asked me if it’s possible to somehow produce labels on a computer printer, which I thought was an idea worth looking into. I just thought I would put this out to the community and see what ideas others have come up with. Obviously, we need something that’s safe for the collections, easily legible, flexible, and durable, as well as user friendly and easy to do. Any ideas?

Dee A. Stubbs-Lee, MA, CAPC

Conservator / Restauratrice

New Brunswick Museum

277 Douglas Avenue

Saint John, New Brunswick

E2K 1E5

Canada

(506) 643-2341