Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: DVD/CD printers

This is topic DVD/CD printers in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-01-2004, 02:46 PM:

I am looking for a printer that can print directly onto DVD and CDs. Does anyone have a recommendation, or something to stay away from?

Also, I have to use the white top "inkjet printable" media according to everything I have read. I assume there is no way to use regular "shiny top" or "matte top" media?

Thanks

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 10-01-2004, 03:35 PM:

I've had good luck with dedicated thermal, multi-color printers using white-label media.

The labels are brightly-colored, detailed, and permanent.

Cost of the printer and ribbon varies depending on production volume (speed) and resolution.

I'm not at home right now so I cannot say what mfgr makes my printer.

>>> Phil

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-01-2004, 04:23 PM:

I've seen one of your discs, Phil. They do look nice. Please let me know what you are using when you get back home.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 10-01-2004, 05:41 PM:

While you're waitin' for Coot to get back home, try a search on ALPS printers. They were the printer of choice a few years ago for inexpensive (about USD $500 for a new MD-1300 at the time) and permanent dye-sublimation printing (many after-market decal printers used these). ALPS discontinued production a couple of years ago, but someone may have picked up the technology. The ink cartridges are still in production and available.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 10-01-2004, 05:47 PM:

Unless you need to print onto hundreds of CDs at once, I wouldn't spend the money for one of those specialized printers. At my work we use one of those "CD Stomper" things with the inkjet printable labels. It works pretty well. However, I didn't like the computer templates that came with the package. The CorelDRAW, Illustrator and MS Word templates didn't line up well, so I had to create my own templates that did the job properly.

Posted by John Lasher (Member # 968) on 10-01-2004, 09:15 PM:

Check these out.

They also sell blank CDs (they can custom print them in high quantities, too).

Posted by Wayne Keyser (Member # 2420) on 10-01-2004, 09:25 PM:

lso see http://www.wts-tape.com - I have been very happy with their products and service.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-01-2004, 10:51 PM:

quote: Bobby Henderson

I didn't like the computer templates that came with the package....

I have the same thing. I like it. I have the same complaint as you do about the software. The application SUX and the templates aren't much better. I tossed it out the first time after I used it.

My solution was to sacrifice one sheet of labels and peel off all the places where there is supposed to be printing. Then I laid it face down on my scanner bed and take a scan. I loaded the result into photoshop and did a bit of cleanup work. Once you have a nice set of thin, black outlines make it the background layer and save it. Copy and lock the original file.

Now, when I need a label, I call up the scanned image and use Photoshop to draw whatever I want inside the outlines but in a layer ON TOP OF the background. When you have your pictures the way you want, print out a test page to be sure it aligns with your labels. When you are satisfied, turn off the background layer and print again onto a sheet of labels.

It's easy to do. You don't have to learn new, sucky software. You can recall the designs, modify them and/or reprint them any time you want.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-01-2004, 10:59 PM:

I am wanting to be able to use these for DVD labeling. Turns out there are a number of DVD players out there that do not like burned discs with a label attached.

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 10-02-2004, 12:03 AM:

I've heard that the problem with labels and dvd players is that they can un-balance the DVD when its spinning. Getting the label a hair off center can cause it to wobble. Not that this post actually helps you any, but...

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 10-02-2004, 03:49 AM:

If your design has white at the top and darker colors at the bottom wouldn't the weight of the heavier inks cause the same unbalancing problem even on printed DVDs?

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 10-04-2004, 03:04 AM:

http://lsv.uky.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0408&L=amia-l&P=R19674&I=-3

">>2) Labels used on DVD-R can cause a high-speed wobble that produces
>>errors in playback. The internal laser guide in a DVD-R is four times
>>tighter than the laser guide on a CD-R; therefore any disc wobble can
>>cause the laser to miss-track (4X, 8X & 16X will be most affected).
>>Any alteration to the reflective layer will result in an unplayable
>>DVD-R. Adhesive labels have been reported to affect the reflective
>>layer after extended periods of time. Labeling a disc with a
>>permanent marker (alcohol based-Sharpie) has also been reported to
>>eat through the reflective layer on thermal discs over a period of
>>time. This can create adverse affects on a master or copy. Printing
>>directly onto the disc with an inkjet or thermal printer is the
>>industry standard for DVD-R and will cause less playback problems in the
future."

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 10-04-2004, 02:46 PM:

Brad: Casio has two inexpensive DVD printers on their website. One (which I have and find great) has a keyboard as well as a PC interface, the cheaper one is only PC driven. They run $100-$125 and can handle graphics, colors, etc. I thoroughly recommend the CW-75 (keyboard) model. It even has internal memory for multiple discs with the same info.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-04-2004, 03:17 PM:

Adhesive labels can have long-term keeping concerns as well. The adhesives can become brittle, powdery, or can ooze with age or poor storage conditions.

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 10-04-2004, 03:50 PM:

Good points, John. In case my earlier post wasn't clear, the two Casio printers mentioned print directly on DVD's, and recommend against the "printable" discs with the painted finish. The printing is done with a thermal print head and ribbon and seems very durable, although it can be removed with solven if desired. I have had no problems with playback in almost 200 discs.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-04-2004, 11:31 PM:

This printer (Epson R300) is the one I ended up going for. When I saw the cost of the Casio ink cartridges and their super short lifespan, plus compared it to the price of the Epson, this one came out as the winner for my low-duty use. [Smile]

Thanks everyone for the input.

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 10-05-2004, 12:29 AM:

Brad,
does the printer require the white painted cd/dvds in order to print on them? I'm not seeing that info on the new egg link.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-05-2004, 12:55 AM:

Yup