If you’ve already seen the “puzzle” we created and followed the path to a certain type of testing or research facility then we’re sure you also noticed just how many different types of labs there are out there and just how many variables contribute to their similarities and diversities! Now, the puzzle (aka decision-tree) is by no means a say-all / end-all to such variables defining assorted types of labs. It’s simply a condensed way to hopefully get some distinctions across. For instance, there are labs that do product research, development AND testing; we call them “Company Labs” such as pharmaceutical companies. The reason we are writing this article is because many people aren’t aware of just how many different kinds of laboratories there really are―we certainly weren’t when we came up with the idea for this article! It was a pleasant surprise and an opportunity to learn a bit more about the fascinating world we live in. 
Just as there are many types of LABS, there are also many types of LABels for a multitude of applications found in such labs. Now, we’re not going to make you answer a bunch of “yes” or “no” questions and follow more arrows to find out what those labels are, so you can relax! Plus, we don’t think we have the brain power after that last puzzle! However, there are certainly more types of labels than we can list on one set of fingers and toes combined! Whether you need cap labels for test tubes that match the labels on their respective tubes, slide labels, microtiter plate labels, paraffin block labels…they all exist! There are even labels that can withstand cryogenic temperatures, thaws, and re-freezing! How about labels that resist harsh chemicals, such as xylene? Yup, those are out there in the world of labels as well! In many popular sizes, they’re available on numerous kinds of label materials as well, including specialty clear and white films commonly used in genetics, forensics and microbiology—but there are ones also simply made of paper, for the more common applications such as blood tubes, medical charts or documents.
If there’s a unique lab out there…or a unique test…or some crazy requirements, chances are—there’s a label to match! For those high profile National lab jobs, there are even security labels available that are tamper-evident! We know there are also many sterilization procedures as well as compliancy regulations―and believe it or not―there are labels available that meet those needs, too! Autoclave doesn’t stand a chance with some of these labels! Neither does EtO sterilization or gamma radiation.
We hope this article has been informative and also fun to read and explore… while teaching you a bit more about the many types of LABS and LABels out there! If we missed any, or you know about a special type of lab that might be interesting to other readers, let us know… we’d love a reason to write another article about laboratories. 
