Preparators

Preparators are individuals or devices involved in the preparation of materials or specimens for subsequent analysis, examination, or display. The term is used across disciplines such as science, archaeology, and museology, and may refer to specialized workers (specimen preparators) as well as to equipment used to process samples.

As people, preparators perform a range of tasks to make materials suitable for study or presentation. In laboratories, specimen preparators or preparation technicians may cut, grind, embed, section, stain, label, and mount samples for microscopy or analytical measurements. In museums and conservation studios, preparators clean, repair, stabilize, preserve, and mount biological or geological specimens for research or public display. In archaeology and paleontology, preparators may stabilize fragile artifacts, remove accumulated matrix, and prepare samples for imaging, spectroscopy, or other analyses.

As equipment, preparators include tools and machines designed to produce properly prepared surfaces or sections. Common devices encompass microtomes for thin sectioning, grinding and polishing machines for surface finishing, saws for block or core cutting, embedding systems, mounting presses, and various staining and labeling apparatus. The specific choice depends on the material type and the intended analysis or display.

Significance and safety are central to preparation work. High-quality preparation improves the reliability of results, the clarity of images, and the usefulness of exhibits, while careful documentation and adherence to safety and conservation standards are essential.

See also: sample preparation; laboratory technician; museum conservator; specimen preparation; microtomy.