How to Prevent Sample Mix-Ups in High-Volume Labs

Categorised in: Blog

Sample mix-ups are costly, and they can undermine the credibility of your lab. A single mislabelled vial can compromise research, misdirect a diagnosis, or delay patient care. In larger labs processing hundreds or even thousands of samples daily, the room for error grows, and so does the need for precise labelling systems.

We understand how complex the chain of custody is in medical and testing environments, which is why we offer custom labelling solutions designed to reduce risk from the collection point right through to final analysis.

Why Standard Labels Don’t Make the Cut in Large, Busy Labs

Many labs still rely on off-the-shelf labels, generic barcode stickers, or even hand-written notes to track sample tubes and test kits. The problem is, these systems aren’t built for the heat of real operations, where labels peel off, smudge, or fail to scan properly.

We’ve seen this firsthand in both public and private sector labs across South Africa. 

Custom Labels That Match Your Workflow

Custom labels are engineered for your exact workflow so that they can be applied, read, scanned and handled seamlessly. We work with labs to develop custom label designs that accommodate different container shapes, freezer storage conditions, and high-volume barcode scanning. 

For example, labels can be designed with a wraparound barcode and thermal print coating to withstand temperature fluctuations in testing processes, or a colour-coded label series can be printed to prevent cross-contamination between testing batches.

When you customise your labels to suit the specific types of samples, instruments, and test kits you use, you’re taking active control over the traceability and accountability of each test.

Built-In Features to Eliminate Human Error

Even the best-trained lab technician can make mistakes when juggling multiple trays of identical-looking samples. Tamper-evident seals, dual barcodes, sequential numbering, and colour bands can all help reduce errors and protect the integrity of the data you’re aiming to collect. 

Labels That Hold Up Under Pressure

Whether your samples are travelling from a rural collection point to an urban lab or being frozen for long-term storage, your labels need to withstand more than just a lab bench. We offer solutions that are heat-resistant, water-resistant, and solvent-proof, ensuring your data survives the journey with the sample intact. Custom adhesives and finishes allow your labels to grip tightly to plastic, glass, or metal surfaces, even when exposed to moisture, refrigeration, or repeated handling.

With decades of experience in high-security and high-volume printing, Uniprint Global delivers expertise in custom label production, tailored to your lab needs. Every order is processed under stringent quality control, with an understanding that in a lab, every number and name must be exact.

Let’s discuss your bulk label needs to find a solution that makes your workflow simpler, faster, and less prone to errors.

FAQs and Answers

1. Why are sample mix-ups a major issue in high-volume labs?
   Sample mix-ups can compromise research, delay patient care, and damage the credibility of a lab, especially when processing hundreds of samples daily.

2. What’s the risk of using standard off-the-shelf labels?
   Standard labels may peel, smudge, or fail to scan, increasing the risk of human error and reducing traceability in busy lab environments.

3. How do custom labels improve sample handling?
   Custom labels are designed for specific workflows, ensuring better adhesion, accurate scanning, and reliable performance under lab conditions.

4. What label features help prevent human error?
   Built-in features like tamper-evident seals, dual barcodes, sequential numbering, and colour coding help reduce mistakes and enhance data integrity.

5. Can labels withstand extreme lab conditions?
   Yes, Uniprint labels are water-resistant, heat-resistant, and solvent-proof, ensuring durability during transport, freezing, and repeated handling.

6. How do labels support sample traceability?
   Custom labels allow labs to trace each sample through barcoding and design specific to sample type, container, and test kit.

7. What industries benefit most from custom lab labels?
   Public and private medical testing labs, research facilities, and diagnostics centres benefit greatly from workflow-specific label solutions.

8. Why choose Uniprint Global for labelling needs?
   With decades of experience, Uniprint provides high-quality, secure, and tailored labelling solutions with full quality control and support.