Specialty Labels
Liquid Nitrogen Label (-196°C) – Direct Immersion in Cryogenic Storage
Premium cryogenic label engineered for long‑term storage in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) and ultra‑low freezers (-80°C to -150°C). Maintains adhesion and legibility on cryo‑vials, Cryotube, and freezer racks without cracking or delaminating.
Specifications
- Material
- Cryogenic‑grade PET / Vinyl / PI (customizable)
- Color
- White, pastel colors (for color‑coding), fluorescent
- Standard sizes
- Custom die‑cut to fit cryo‑vials (0.5ml, 2ml, 5ml), straws, boxes
- Core diameter
- 1 inch (for roll labels)
Detailed Specifications
Material | Cryogenic‑grade PET / Vinyl / PI (customizable) |
Color | White, pastel colors (for color‑coding), fluorescent |
Adhesive | Specialized low‑temperature acrylic / silicone |
Temperature range | -196°C to +80°C (-320°F to +176°F) |
Standard sizes | Custom die‑cut to fit cryo‑vials (0.5ml, 2ml, 5ml), straws, boxes |
Core diameter | 1 inch (for roll labels) |
Print compatibility | Thermal transfer (resin ribbon required) |
Ready‑to‑use sheets and rolls available. Custom barcodes (1D/2D) and pre‑printed text offered.
Key Features
- Direct liquid nitrogen immersion – Labels remain attached and legible after prolonged storage at -196°C (vapor or liquid phase).
- Ultra‑low freezer performance – Functional down to -150°C for mechanical freezers; no embrittlement or adhesive failure.
- Crack‑resistant construction – Specially formulated facestock does not shatter or delaminate during temperature cycling.
- Thaw‑resistant printing – Resin ribbon imprint withstands condensation, scraping, and brief room‑temperature handling.
- Adhesion to frozen surfaces – Can be applied to cold vials (down to -80°C) with pressure – no pre‑warming needed.
- Compatible with cryo‑markers – Optional over‑laminate for additional protection against cryo‑proof pens.
Applications
Use Liquid Nitrogen Label for:
- Biobanks & biorepositories – Long‑term identification of human or animal tissue samples, stem cells, and DNA libraries stored in LN₂.
- IVF & assisted reproduction – Labeling of embryos, oocytes, and sperm vials that must remain sterile and legible.
- Pharmaceutical R&D – Stability sample tracking in cryogenic freezers for drug development.
- Vaccine storage – Ultra‑low temperature labels for COVID‑19 mRNA vaccines, viral vectors, and other thermolabile biologics.
- Liquid nitrogen dewars – External labels for LN₂ containers that are repeatedly handled and exposed to extreme cold.
For general freezer storage (-20°C to -80°C) without LN₂ immersion, our PP Synthetic Paper label is a lower‑cost alternative.
Printer & Ribbon Compatibility
Recommended ribbons:
- Resin ribbon (high‑energy) – Mandatory for cryogenic labels. Wax/resin ribbons will become brittle and flake off.
Compatible printers:
Most industrial thermal transfer printers from Zebra, Honeywell, Sato, TSC, Citizen. Desktop printers may work with resin ribbon – test small batch first.
Printer settings suggestion:
- Darkness: 25–30%
- Speed: 2–3 inches per second (ips) for optimal transfer onto the cold‑optimized coating.
💡 Tip: For best adhesion, let the label rest at room temperature for 1–2 minutes after printing before applying to cold vials.
How to Choose the Right Label Format
- Roll vs sheet: Rolls are ideal for automatic dispensing; sheets (A4) are easier for hand‑applied low‑volume labeling.
- Vial fit: Provide your vial diameter and height – we will recommend the optimal label width and length for full wrap or flag style.
- Pre‑printed: Sequential numbers, lot numbers, or barcodes can be pre‑printed for consistent traceability.
- Color coding: Use different colors for sample type, donor, or date to facilitate quick visual sorting.
Ordering & Sample Information
- MOQ: 50 rolls or 50 sheet pack for standard blank labels; custom die‑cut – MOQ 100 rolls.
- Free sample: 5–10 pieces available for testing. Requires resin ribbon – we can provide matching sample.
- Custom printing: Barcode, text, or logo – MOQ 1000 pcs.
- Lead time:
- Blank labels: 3–5 business days
- Custom printed: 10–15 business days
- Large volume (>500 rolls): 20–25 days
Ready to order or test?
