California Academy of Sciences modernizes entomology collection with Epson label printers

The California Academy of Sciences has adopted Epson ColorWorks on-demand color label printers to modernize the organization and management of its 18 million-specimen entomology collection, one of the largest insect collections in the world.

The San Francisco museum replaced a decades-old geographic color-coding system with a new bio-geographic labeling standard using Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000A label printers and BarTender label design software. The new system enables staff to print durable, color-coded labels on demand for specimen trays, improving collection management while reducing the time and labor required to update taxonomy and regional classifications.

“For decades, many museums used a color-coding system tied to geography that has problematic roots,” says Chris Grinter, collection manager of entomology at the California Academy of Sciences. “We developed a new system that reflects bio-geographic regions in a way that’s inclusive, color-blind friendly and scientifically useful. The ColorWorks printer made it possible for us to implement this change at scale.”

The Academy prints labels daily to accommodate taxonomic updates and changes in scientific classification. By eliminating the need to print and manually cut large sheets of labels, the on-demand system has streamlined workflows while improving consistency and reducing waste. The museum also uses an Epson WorkForce printer to produce durable labels for insect specimens preserved in alcohol.

According to Epson, the project demonstrates how on-demand color labeling technology can improve organization, inventory management, and operational efficiency in research, archival, and collection management applications.