[Phillip Chapman]

I'm interested to hear how you label your discs other than writing the contents on the actual DVD. I wanted to see a thread where we could discuss all the alternatives that are out there whether that be inkjet labels, thermal solutions etc.


Please post and let us know...


(1) What kind of labels and equipment do you use? ("stomper" labels, thermal text, inkjet graphics etc.)


(2) What problems have you run into?


(3) How expensive is your labeling solution?


(4) What type of discs work best with your labels? What discs don't work well?

 

[Nighttime]

Did use hub rings since norma lables can muck up the laqure on the disk but use a Epson R200 now.


Had fun locating a stock of hub rings after finding how easy and better than a full stickon label.


25 pack of DVD+R are about 10 dollars { On Sale }.

50 pack of DVD-R are about 35 dollars { On sale }.

30 Pack of CD for 15 dollars.

Get about 100 disk per set of carts. A full set of cars are around 70 to 80 dollars.


Been having good luck with Frys GQ brand. And CD from Memorex.

 

[rudytx]

Epson inkject to print directly on the discs $100-200


Memorex Inkject printable discs $65

 

[Skylark]

Quote:

Originally posted by Phillip Chapman (1) What kind of labels and equipment do you use? ("stomper" labels, thermal text, inkjet graphics etc.) (2) What problems have you run into? (3) How expensive is your labeling solution? (4) What type of discs work best with your labels? What discs don't work well?

1. Casio CW-50 thermal printer directly on DVDs.


2. Only prints in blocks of about 2-7/8" x 5/8" in a single color. Have choice of black, blue, red and ? I only use black. Can be text or single color graphic.


3. About $60 on Amazon I think. Haven't checked for a while. Forget the price of ribbons but they are cheaper then inks for inkjet printers.


4. Any disk that does not have pre-printed labels or lines. Surface must be smooth. CompUSA DVD-Rs are out since they are completely covered with crap. TDK DVD-Rs are great since they only have manufacturer printing horizontally down the center of the disc with top and bottom areas clear and clean. Bulk DVDs with nothing on them work great too.


Skylark

 

[HoustonGuy]

Warning- I tried the Fellowes CD/DVD labeling starter kit using the round labels that are printable and fit over the top side of the DVD using the plunger that comes with it . Experienced skipping on playback- I did 5 and got skipping on 2. Funny thing it only skipped on some of my DVD players. Evidently some players must be more sensitive to this.

 

[Phillip Chapman]

Yeah, I have considered going the thermal route but I think I'd prefer a full color printer.


I wasn't even aware of the Epson R200. Are there any other economical DVD/CD printers or is this the best one out there for the money?


What kind of inkjet printable discs do you recommend? I was looking at getting some with a credit from Newegg. What do you think is the most reliable: Taiyo Yuden 8x, Imation (Silver) 4x, Fuji 8x, Legacy 8x, Samsung 4x, Dupsonic 4x, Piodata 8x?


Also, will 8x media work on the Panasonic E85?

 

[Skylark]

Quote:

Originally posted by Phillip Chapman Yeah, I have considered going the thermal route but I think I'd prefer a full color printer.

Full color printing on CD/DVDs is fine also but here are some cons, some or all of which you may already be aware of:


1. The ink smears if handled by moist hands. Some folks perspire a lot through their hands. Some videographers resort to spraying a clear coat over their DVDs but report readability problems if any spray somehow gets on the recording surface. Also reports of orange peel or sandy texture caused by the spray.


2. One must be very careful in brand of DVD used. Some take forever to dry while others dry fairly rapidly. Be sure to test a few discs before buying in bulk.


3. Inkjet printable DVDs cost a bit more than non-inkjet printable DVDs.


4. If doing for personal use then time is not a factor. If doing for pay then it does take additional time to create beautiful graphics. Maybe just a beautiful cover insert would be sufficient. Has anyone ever bought a DVD because of how the printing on the DVD itself looks? Has anyone ever recommended a video company because of how the DVD label looks?


Just food for thought.

 

[Kelson]

Another thought to consider. It is reported that unlabled media such as the inkjet ready finish are the biggest source of fraud media.

 

[dougef]

I am planning to try the hub-ring labels. I just ordered a pack from Sure-Thing.


Has anyone had any issues with hub ring labels - any skipping, etc? I know the full face labels are problematic and I won't attempt those.


Thanks.

 

[SI67]

I just got a DVD-R/DVD-RW recorder. The "liner notes" on the two Fuji disks that came with it say to use an "oil-based" pen and NOT a ball-point or other hard-tipped pen. What are some examples (brand and what the maker calls it would be helpful) of suitable pens? I eventually plan to use some sort of computer-printed labes or print directly on the disks, but that's a major compute upgrade away in my case....


Steve

 

[Kelson]

There was a whole thread, not long ago, on what kind of pens people use to mark their DVDs. Try doing a search.


In the mean time, people have used Sharpie Permanent Markers for years on CDs & DVDs.

 

[Trinitone]

SI67 - Sharpie markers are great for writing on discs.

 

[online2much]

I have both the Epson R-200 and the Casio thermal printer. I have had excellent results with the Epson using BeAll white and silver inkjet printable discs from Meritline. They dry quickly, and allow you to print almost completely to the hub. With over 200 burned, I've yet to have a coaster, or a disc rendered unusuable from printing on it. I don't care much for the Casio - you have to pop the disc out and reinsert it the opposite way to print on both top and bottom, and while there are guides, it's easy to get it slightly misaligned, giving it an unprofessional look.

 

[Nighttime]

There is a new verison of the Casio system. Simply it spins the disk to print on the four area so to speak.

 

[Alkettory]

I use an Epson R300 and Beall 4x printable discs. I bought the R300 before the R200 was out; if I had to do it again, I would go with the less expensive R200.


I've also used the Memorex printable discs, which looked great, but 3 out of the 4 DVD players in my house refused to read them.

 

[xtra]

I use the R-200, and I like it. The software I use is a cool little program designed just for the purpose called Discus. I love it.


I am using Avery jewel case inserts, but I am looking for a more economical paper to use.


Problems? Be sure the little clear plastic parts on the R-200's dvd tray don't get bent. If they do, the printer won't work. Took me quite a while to figure out what the problem was when it happened to me.


I first used Memorex printable discs, but I got a number of coasters. So, heeding the advice of a couple of regulars on this forum, I switched to Leda. No coasters yet that I know of, though I have only used about 20 of them. The Memorex dvd's do have a glossier surface than the Leda's, but the printing looks good on both.


My cost for supplies, including the dvd's, inserts, jewel cases, and ink is around $1.50 per disk. I imagine that could be reduced a bit.

 

[arklab]

Quite late to the thread, but right on to my current project (getting a DVD printer).


I have also given thought to the Epson R200, but have seen many users who like the printer DIS-like the cost of ink for it and how often it needs more ink. A couple of users who have both Epson and Canon (non-US) have mentioned 70 on the Epson vs. 200 on their Canon! Quite a difference.


That brings me to my current great experiment.


All Canon PIXMA printers from the 3000 up - everywhere in the world - come with a CD/DVD tray and software to print right on printable CDs ... EXCEPT IN THE "AMERICAS" - USA & CANADA!

Why?

Only Canon US knows, and they are NOT talking.


My only sane course is to order from a UK e-store. (Well, kinda sane.)

Power supply will have to be replaced or an addaptor used, but both are "do-able".


Once in hand I hope to check out differences in Canon vs Epson vs home-made trays, independent software (like Diskus), and check if the US PIXMAs reallh have all the same hardware (except the tray and driver support) there European brothers do.


I anyone has already been down this road PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!

 

[DaveC E100]

That seems like an unnecessarily complicated way of doing it. I bought the R200 but haven't got it hooked up yet because I haven't installed a USB2 port yet. My plan is to refill my own R200 cartridges for about $1 each. You can get the chip resetter that activates the dead Epson ink tanks so they can be refilled. For $39 you get the chip resetter and ink refill kit (enough to refill the black and color tanks 6 to 14 times), all for $39. After the initial purchase of the resetter, the ink refill kit alone is $29.99.


This seems like the way to go but so far I haven't heard of anyone doing it that way yet.

http://store.ink-refills.net/ink-ref...combopack.html


Dave

 

[NVboy]

Quote:

Originally posted by arklab All Canon PIXMA printers from the 3000 up - everywhere in the world - come with a CD/DVD tray and software to print right on printable CDs ... EXCEPT IN THE "AMERICAS" - USA & CANADA! Why? Only Canon US knows, and they are NOT talking.

I'm pretty set on replacing my current printer with one from the PIXMA lineup. If what you say is true, then I think the easier course of action would be to buy one in the US, then order a replacement tray from the UK. Why is it that we always get so many featured down versions of products here in the US? You would think Canon would want the PIXMA printers to offer disk printing, unless they know something we don't.

 

[arklab]

WOW ... what a response!


The big problems with getting a Canon Pixma (UK style) are:

A) Finding a UK retailer who ships to the US. I think I have one: T4 Cameras
http://canon.t4cameras.co.uk/


B) What to do about the power supply problem. The solution is easy. I saw another thread where someone had opened the case (UK model) and found the power supply just held in by one clip. (He had pictures) You just push the clip to one side, lift out the UK 230v PS and drop in a US 115v power supply!

Ahhh ... but where do you get one and how much does it cost, you ask?


Just call (732) 521-7230 for Canon Parts Order, press 2 since you don't know the part number yet and tell the guy what you want.

My price ... $13.13 plus tax and shipping! It came to just $19 to Calif.!!!


So my only decision now is to get the Pixma 3000, 4000, or the new 5000 with 1 pico liter nozzles!


As to just getting a tray, the US doesn't have 'em, and Canon UK has not responded to e-mail request. (Must be US trained.)