Stick on Avery labels are NOT suited for labeling artifacts because
     the glue eventually dries out on them, the labels fall off and leave a
     yellow stain on whatever they were attached to.
 
     However, when we had a particularly large collection of ceramic and
     glass artifacts to number at one point, we entered the required
     provenience numbers on the computer using the repeat button to speed
     things along, reduced the font size to the smallest setting we could
     get and then printed them out on a laser printer.  The numbers were
     then cut apart, a stripe of Acryloid B72, an acrylic resin (clear nail
     polish also works for this), was then applied to the artifact with a
     small brush, the label set on it with the brush, and another layer of
     polish was then applied over the label.  This turned out to give good
     results and the labels were quite durable though with a bit of effort
     they could be peeled off.  The labels must be printed on a laser
     printer as the lettering on regular photocopies ran in the B72
     solution.  These tiny labels were remarkably clear even at the
     smallest font size and are highly superior to handwriting on small
     objects.  However, it is a fairly labor intensive process and really
     only suited for large collections of artifacts.
 
     [log in to unmask]    Parks Canada