--- title: "Optimal efficiency in pipetting | VITLAB knowledge base" url: "https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/pipetting" description: For exact and precise analytical results, the following points should be considered, independent of the pipetting technique date: 2025-07-03 modified: 2026-03-03 lastUpdated: 2026-03-03 site: VITLAB GmbH --- # Optimal efficiency in pipetting | VITLAB knowledge base - EN - [DE](https://www.vitlab.com/de/service-support/wissen/pipettieren) - [ES](https://www.vitlab.com/es/servicio-y-asistencia/conocimiento/pipeteado) - [FR](https://www.vitlab.com/fr/service-et-assistance/savoir/pipetage) back - [Products](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [Liquid Handling](https://www.vitlab.com/products/liquid-handling) - [Volumetric Measurement](https://www.vitlab.com/products/volumetric-measurement) - [General Lab Products](https://www.vitlab.com/products/general-lab-products) - [Food & Beverage](https://www.vitlab.com/products/food-beverage) - 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[Contact us](https://www.vitlab.com/contact/contact-us) - [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/suche "search") [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/ "Startpage VITLAB GmbH") [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/contact/contact-us "contact") Menu Pipetting Efficiency in variable pipetting, handling of air-interface pipettes ================================================================================ Apirate Sample ---------------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/7/d/csm_csm_Medium-aufnehmen_Einkanal_720eac93bd_2a798207ea.jpg) - Adjust volume - Use the correct tip(s) according to the volume range (Color-Code) - Press the pipetting button to the first stop and keep the button pressed - Immerse the pipette tip(s) 2 to 6 mm into the liquid (depending on volume) - Let the pipetting button slide back slowly while holding the pipette in an upright position (the liquid will be aspirated) Pipetting Sample ------------------ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/1/0/csm_csm_Medium-abgeben_Einkanal_de1b850d5d_256f9c0d0b.jpg) - Place the pipette tip(s) against the wall of the receiving vessel - Press the pipetting button slowly and evenly down to the second stop (over-stroke) to empty the tip(s) completely - Ensure while discharging the sample that the tip(s) are not immersed into the liquid that might be in the receiving vessel - Wipe the pipette tip(s) against the receiving vessel wall over a distance of approx. 10 mm Ejecting the Tip ------------------ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/d/8/csm_csm_Spitze-abwerfen_Einkanal_42579921a4_443a2cfe77.jpg) - Keep the pipetting button pressed while removing the pipette from the receiving vessel - Let the pipetting button slide back slowly - Press the tip ejection key to remove the tip - Correctly dispose of pipette tip - Store the pipette in an upright position when not in use (VITLAB® bench top rack/ shelf mount) Optimal pipetting ------------------- For exact and precise analytical results, the following points should be considered, independent of the pipetting technique: - The best results are obtained with pipette tips that are recommended by the manufacturer, since only they have been checked for an optimal fit with the pipette. - A second important factor that can influence the analytical result is the quality of the tip material. VITLAB® pipette tips are manufactured from high quality polypropylene. - Pipette tips are intended for single-use only. Reuse and cleaning of used pipette tips should be avoided because it can influence accuracy and lead to cross-contamination of samples. - The pipette should be held vertically while aspirating the sample because an increase in the angle of inclination can result in volume errors. - To obtain optimal results, the immersion depth of the tip should only be a few millimetres (depending on volume). - The air-interface between piston and sample should be kept as small as possible. The smaller the air-interface the higher is the accuracy of the result. The color-code helps with the selection of the fitting pipette tip. Forward Pipetting ------------------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/3/b/csm_csm_forward_pipetting-700x166_82f3ff58de_88367e2a87.jpg) Reverse Pipetting ------------------- The reverse pipetting technique should be used to pipet viscous solutions, wetting solvents or media with high vapour pressure with air-interface pipettes. In contrast to forward pipetting, the reverse pipetting technique is as follows: ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/d/2/csm_csm_reverse_pipetting-700x166_b7d9172c5d_8b6c1ae476.jpg) [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/ "Startpage VITLAB GmbH") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vitlab "linkedin") - Products Products - [Liquid Handling](https://www.vitlab.com/products/liquid-handling) - [Volumetric Measurement](https://www.vitlab.com/products/volumetric-measurement) - [General Lab Products](https://www.vitlab.com/products/general-lab-products) - [Food & Beverage](https://www.vitlab.com/products/food-beverage) - [Bottles](https://www.vitlab.com/products/bottles) - [Promotional](https://www.vitlab.com/company/promotional) - Service & Support Service & Support - [Certificates of Performance](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/certificates) - [Downloads](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/downloads) - [Knowledge](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge) - [Videos](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/videos) - Compliance Compliance - [Compliance at VITLAB](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/compliance-at-vitlab) - [Code of Conduct](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/code-of-conduct) - [REACH Regulation](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/reach-regulation) - [More](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/compliance-at-vitlab) - Company Company - [About VITLAB](https://www.vitlab.com/company/about-vitlab) - [Newsroom](https://www.vitlab.com/company/newsroom) - [Certified quality](https://www.vitlab.com/company/certified-quality) - [Service & Logistics](https://www.vitlab.com/company/service-logistics) - [Promotional](https://www.vitlab.com/company/promotional) - [Fairs & Exhibitions](https://www.vitlab.com/company/fairs-exhibitions) - [Jobs](https://group.brand.de/en/about-us/about-us) - Distributors Distributors - [Distributors Worldwide](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide) - [Distributors Africa](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/africa) - [Distributors Asia](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/asia) - [Distributors Australia / New Zealand](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/australia-newzealand) - [Distributors Central / Latin America](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/central-latinamerica) - [Distributors Europe](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/europe) - [Distributors North America / Canada](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/northamerica-canada) - Contact Contact - [Contact us](https://www.vitlab.com/contact/contact-us) - [Cookie Settings](https://www.vitlab.com/cookie-settings) - [General Terms & Conditions](https://www.vitlab.com/general-terms-conditions) - [Privacy Statement](https://www.vitlab.com/privacy-statement) - [Imprint](https://www.vitlab.com/imprint) - [Contact](https://www.vitlab.com/contact/contact-us) © 2026 VITLAB GmbH Subscribe to our Newsletter --------------------------- Email adress \* I hereby subscribe to the VITLAB newsletter and agree that you may collect and evaluate data about my user behavior. 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