Just to clarify, I'm not talking about the "fine" point markers. They are simply too large for putting a lot of material on the top of an Eppendorf. In the photo, it's the marker on the right, which was sold as "extra fine" but is seemingly no longer sold. I have tried a couple of alternatives that have ended up smudging when exposed to 70% ethanol.
The permanent marker Sharpie ultra fine point.
Or you can use any permanent marker and then put on transparent tape
I believe we used cryomarkers at USGS NWHC HFS in Honolulu, HI, but they weren't resistant to xylene.
Putting transparent tape on it, as Laura suggests, works fine for me. For heavy-duty (freezing, constant exposure to solvents, etc.), I would try a tape printer. There are ink and label options for these purposes, but try before purchasing. Some sell freezing-resistant labels that go off after several weeks in the freezer.
Securline Marker II/Superfrost Extra Fine Tip Ref 1450-20-PDC. Vwr is the distributor we get them through. I tested them against EtOH right after I wrote with it. The ink dimmed but was still legible.
I have also been using Securline Black Lab Marker (Fine tip. Ref: 1400-20-PDC) and they are really good. Manufacturer: Aspen Surgical.
I requested pen samples from Aspen Surgical and a rep was kind enough to send me some. I just tested them and the Securline Black Lab Marker (Fine tip. Ref: 1400-20-PDC) is the only pen I found to be ethanol resistant so far. Writes very nicely too. Fine tip not extra fine but still does a decent job. Definitely ordering some!
I always used this one: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/z648205?lang=en®ion=US&gclid=CKuV_ITz18sCFQiQaQodv0sCeg
The batches of Industrial Sharpies that I've tested don't hold up to 70% ethanol. The Securline II that Anouk and others have mentioned is the best option I've found so far, but it doesn't hold a candle to the VWR lab markers.
I've used permanent markers from VWR (only used the black one; not sure if color matters) and they're resistant to ethanol. Not sure about xylene resistance. https://us.vwr.com/store/product/4597277/vwr-lab-markers
They're not the finest (the finest ones sold by VWR don't seem to hold as well as these thicker ones when it comes to ethanol), but they're finer than a regular sharpie and work well enough if you write carefully... or write more information on the side of the tubes.
Unforutantly, it seems Sharpie no longer makes them. One work around we have come up to this: Color the top of tubes with metallic silver or gold sharpie (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F5XBKZK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and let it dry (either by air or compressed air cans to speed it along) then you can use a normal Extra Fine Point marker to label the tube. The metallic markers greatly extend the length of the labeling. Ethanol doesn;t have much of an effect on them either.
Sharpie industrial markers DO NOT hold up to 70% ethanol. I'm still looking for a low cost alternative to the VWR lab marker.
We use Immprint extra fine pens from Vector Labs ($85 for pack of 5). They are designed to write on frosted glass slides, and we use them with great success on (Eppendorf) microfuge tubes and other plasticware (much better than any Sharpies or Secureline): https://vectorlabs.com/immprint-permanent-marking-pen.html
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