- Document
- CT-02
- Section
- Containers, labels & contamination
- Revised
- Sources checked
- Bands
- −80 °C−20 °C2–8 °C
Laboratory Labeling: What Every Peptide Container Should Say
A label is the shortest form of lab documentation. The fields every peptide vial and aliquot needs, how to make labels survive the freezer, and a free label maker.
Bench card
- Minimum fields: compound, lot, concentration or amount, solvent, date, preparer and a unique ID.
- The ID on the label must lead back to a record with the full details.
- Use labels and inks rated for freezer and solvent exposure, and apply them before freezing.
- Never rely on writing on the cap alone. Caps get swapped.
- Hazard information follows your institution's chemical labeling rules.
An unlabeled or illegible tube is effectively lost material: you cannot use what you cannot identify. Good labels are short, consistent and linked to a record that holds the details.
What a label must show
| Field | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Compound | BPC-157 | Identity at a glance |
| Lot number | L24-0381 | Links to the COA and receipt |
| Concentration or amount | 1 mg/mL, 100 µL | Needed for every calculation |
| Solvent | 0.1% acetic acid | Affects compatibility and stability |
| Date prepared | 2026-10-27 | Starts the stability clock |
| Preparer | Initials | Who to ask |
| Unique ID | A-07 | Ties the tube to its record and box position |
| Use-by date | 2026-11-03 | For solutions; from your procedure |
Use an unambiguous date format such as ISO 8601 (YYYY-MM-DD). “03/04” means different dates in different countries.
Labels that survive
- Choose cryogenic labels rated for the storage temperature and any solvents in use.
- Label before freezing. Adhesives do not bond to frosted surfaces.
- Use solvent-resistant markers or printed labels. Ethanol wipes remove many marker inks.
- Label the tube body, not just the cap. Caps are easily mixed up.
- Wrap labels fully around small tubes so the ends overlap and do not peel.
Small tubes, limited space
A 0.5 mL tube has room for a few short lines. Put the compound, ID, concentration and date on the tube, and keep the rest in the record that the ID points to. This is also why the ID must be unique within your lab: it is the link between a small label and a full history.
Hazard labeling
Workplace chemical labeling is governed by rules such as the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard in the United States. Secondary containers such as aliquot tubes are often covered by institutional rules that allow abbreviated labels within the lab. Follow your institution’s chemical hygiene plan, especially for solutions in hazardous solvents such as DMSO or acetonitrile.
Linking labels to records
Labels and records should agree. When a tube is used up or discarded, record it. When a box is reorganized, update the map. A periodic audit that compares the box to the inventory catches drift early. See Laboratory Documentation.
References
- OSHA. Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. OSHA
- OSHA. Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, 29 CFR 1910.1450. eCFR
- US FDA. Good Laboratory Practice for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies, 21 CFR Part 58. eCFR
- US FDA. Data Integrity and Compliance With Drug CGMP: Questions and Answers. Guidance for Industry; 2018. FDA