The Direct Tube Marker allows printing directly onto the surface of plastic laboratory tubes between 6 and 30mm in diameter. There is no need for using labels or marker pens. Marking is resistant to ethanol, isopropanol, water, DMSO, liquid nitrogen and mechanical abrasion (ribbon chemical resistance dependent on ribbon type). The prints are also stable over a wide temperature range (–196 to 100°C). Markings do not transfer when touching the tubes. Several lines of text can be printed, for example: sample name, sampling site, your name, date and time etc.

All TrueType fonts available on the connected computer can be printed in a range of different sizes, which determines the maximum printable content. Bold and italic type is also available. The instrument can also print linear barcodes, datamatrix (2D) codes and graphic files (monochrome .bmp, .gif or .tiff) such as logos. Print orientation can be vertical or horizontal (except for barcodes which print vertically only).

The Direct Tube Marker includes an automatic printing delay feature, where the instrument is able to detect the presence of a tube and automatically prints the next label entry in the software. This feature makes printing to the tube surface much easier and faster than marking by hand.

Prints directly on the surface of plastic laboratory tubes; labels and stickers are not required
Most 0.2 to 50mL volume tubes with a smooth surface can be used
Adjustable tube support platform for tubes without a lip/collar or for altering the label position
Adjustable sled pivot point improves overall print quality for larger labels and tubes; the added visual reference optimizes pressure point and increases print reproducibility
Multiple adapters are available to accommodate a wide range of tubes on the market
Patent pending Thermal Pixel Printing technology
Prints text, linear barcodes, datamatrix (2D) codes and graphic files (monochrome .bmp, .gif or .tiff) such as logos
Both vertical and horizontal markings are producible
Clearer and more durable marking compared to marker pen
Labels printed in seconds
Marking is resistant to ethanol (70%), isopropanol (70%), methanol (﹥98.5%), DMSO (ribbon chemical resistance dependent on ribbon type), pure haematoxylin, liquid nitrogen, water and mechanical abrasion (marking is not resistant to Xylene and moderately resistant to acetone)
Marking is temperature resistant up to 100°C and down to –196°C (liquid nitrogen)
Automatic printing delay for increased throughput and easier functionality
A 300m ink ribbon can be used to mark up to 100,000 tubes (depending on horizontal dimensions of the print e.g. when printing a 6 x 6 mm 2D code, one ribbon is sufficient for 50,000 prints) – competitive “per mark” cost
Black, white and metallic blue ink ribbons are available for clear printing on all tube colours and tubes with dark coloured content
Changing the ink ribbon is quick and easy
Easy import of data from Microsoft® Excel such as .xls, .xlsx and .csv files
Optimised tube settings can be saved for future reference
Maximum number of prints per ribbon depends on the width of the print
A 3mm gap is generated after every print, no matter the size of label or the orientation of the text, to ensure fresh ribbon is available for the next print
Includes: 3 x tube adapters (4ti-0681, 4ti-0683 and 4ti-0684); power supply; power adapters for UK, EU and USA; magnetic support pole adapter (4ti-0680-084); Allen key (4ti-0680-088); USB A-B cable, manual, Direct Tube Marker software (on USB-Stick), 12 months warranty