Waterproof Labels for Glass Bottles

[fotch]

First, I must inform you that no photographic processing solution is overly sensitive to light. Dichromates and some staining developers are sensitive to UV radiation.

However, I would also like to point out that in a DARKroom it is seldom very light and rarely has any UV. Even if you store the chemistry in the kitchen or bathroom, how bright is it? How much UV?

This is the most frequently quoted non-problem. At Kodak, we used a lot of clear glass bottles for chemical storage, and with plain cork stoppers.

PE

I use to see a lot of developers come from the maker in brown bottles, although may not of done this out of necessity. One that I remember was FR.

I like the amber because they are traditional. It may also keep one from mistaking the contents for something for human consumption.

Of course, at Kodak, you may have not had to worry about that plus had proper labels on all.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I'm not worried whether the glass amber bottles are necessary or not because they're already bought and paid for. All I'm concerned about is clear labeling as permanent and waterproof as is practicable. I know the cone-shaped phenolic seals are better than the flat foam seals in wide-mouth jars but I'll be using glass marbles to fill the air voids so I need the wider mouths... not so much to add the marbles but removing them from narrow-mouth jars is a PITA... shake shake shake... two drop out... shake shake shake... two drop out... etc. When the flat seals loosen then I'll clean thoroughly and reattach them with silicon rubber... cured thoroughly, of course.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I personally find it hard to squeeze out the excess air from an amber glass bottle. Maybe it is just something about me.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I personally find it hard to squeeze out the excess air from an amber glass bottle. Maybe it is just something about me.

I guess you lost your marbles?

 

[DREW WILEY]

I always buy amber glass. Doesn't cost any more, and besides, whatever liquid is in it will resemble a fine microbrew. None of those Coors Light or "Frat Beer"-looking developers for me!

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Hey Drew... got a good recipe for a smooth dark ale? I like Mackeson Stout!!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I guess you lost your marbles?

My spheres are still attached.

 

[Bill Burk]

The "Brother" type labels stick nicely.

But just in case you use an infrared viewer in the darkroom, the printing is practically invisible to infrared.

Because I use one I need to pay attention to details like whether an ink is visible under infrared. No good for me to use an ordinary ballpoint pen to write notes on a carton of film, for example... and then try to decide which one to open in the dark.

 

[Photo Engineer]

This is an interesting discussion.

In over 60 years of photography, starting at about 8 - 12 years of age, I have never mixed up process chemistry regardless of labeling or no labeling. I have never had this sort of problem. I label nontheless, but have never confused chemistry.

I just wonder how much attention you guys pay to chemistry and whether you use different type bottles for each chemical? I do.

PE

 

[walbergb]

I do use different bottles for different chemicals to a point. But within a chemical group, I will use the same type of bottle and use labels to clearly identify the differences. For example, warmtone developer vs neutral developer; 1st fix bath vs 2nd fix bath; different concentrations of selenium, bleaches, and toners. I also use a lot of small, 500ml bottles to break down larger bottles of original, non-diluted chemicals to reduce the amount of air in the bottle. For example, when I buy a liter of liquid developer, I will make two x 500ml bottles and use one until it is finished. I find the concentrate lasts longer this way. These smaller bottles need to be clearly labelled. If possible, I cut out the name from the product packaging, as in the case of the older Ilford warmtone developer which came in a box.

 

[walbergb]

On the subject of glass vs plastic bottles, glass has a couple of advantages (that I can think of at least) over plastic. Plastic bottles "breath", glass doesn't (assuming a good seal at the opening). How significant of a factor this is, I don't know. Developers would be more prone to oxidation than most other chemicals. Second, you can mechanically remove the excess air from a glass bottle and it won't collapse.

Who would have guessed that there would be so much interest in such a simple concept as labels

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

This is an interesting discussion.

In over 60 years of photography, starting at about 8 - 12 years of age, I have never mixed up process chemistry regardless of labeling or no labeling. I have never had this sort of problem. I label nontheless, but have never confused chemistry.

I just wonder how much attention you guys pay to chemistry and whether you use different type bottles for each chemical? I do.

PE

I'm probably just being analog-retentive.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'm probably just being analog-retentive.

Can I use that quote?

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Can I use that quote?

Sure, why not.

 

[winterclock]

I have found that the Brother P touch labels fade if they get wet often, not so good for bottles that get washed frequently. A better choice for a labeler is the Brady Labeler; indelible ink on vinyl tape. Pricey, but reliable, and since I already use it to label research equipment and instrument wiring it is the first choice for me.

 

[fotch]

On the subject of glass vs plastic bottles, glass has a couple of advantages (that I can think of at least) over plastic. Plastic bottles "breath", glass doesn't (assuming a good seal at the opening). How significant of a factor this is, I don't know. Developers would be more prone to oxidation than most other chemicals. Second, you can mechanically remove the excess air from a glass bottle and it won't collapse.

Who would have guessed that there would be so much interest in such a simple concept as labels

I would think that replacing air with in inert gas would be best because creating a vacuum by remove air would put pressure on the seals to allow air back in vs neutral pressure.

 

[cmacd123]

I know that I lost a half bottle of "Liquidol" when the plastic bottle it was supplied in started to leak in my chemical cupboard. Went through quite a few paper towels in cleaning up the mess.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Charles, let the Formulary know. The original bottle was probably defective.

PE

 

[cmacd123]

Charles, let the Formulary know. The original bottle was probably defective.

PE

Too late, I tossed it with a bunch of developer soaked paper towels... It was not directly ordered from formualry, probably got it from Freestyle.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

My 32 ounce amber glass bottles arrived today... the 8 ounce arrived a few days ago. This time I bought wide mouth versions to facilitate easier use of glass marbles to displace air (narrow-mouthed bottles make that procedure difficult). Now... to choose a labeling method from this myriad of excellent suggestions.

 

[Twostones]

I use green or red gaffers tape with writing using a sharpie.