Hi Everyone,

I'm starting up doing wedding videos in Ireland. I've been pulling my hair out about the following printer selection dilemma and I'd really appreciate any suggestions whatsoever...

I recently bought a used Epson R360 and bought a compatible CISS solution but sadly the printer was defective and I had to return it. I'm now on the hunt for a quality inkjet printer (in UK/Europe preferably for compatibility) that can print:

Directly onto white-faced DVD disc (not labels)

Has a CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) solution available for it

Can also print quality DVD case covers

Can also print letter-headed paper and fliers

I'd read lots of reviews of the Epson R285 but does this really have the quality needed to produce excellent DVD case photographs and printing onto disc? The CISS I bought for the Epson R360 I think is also compatible with the R285 so at least there'd be an ink saving for me!

If anyone can drum up a few names of printers that have the quality to impress wedding video customers I'd really appreciate it. I've noticed the very expensive DaVinci printer from Copytrax for about £900 but that is really expensive for me.

The key for me, with my ideal printer being inkjet, is the CISS.

I'm also wondering whether I should be spending much money on a DVD printer as I'm only starting out - perhaps it would be more cost-effective using software to design my labels and then sending the 'pre-burned-with-completed-wedding-video' blank-white-faced discs off to a place that can do them ultra-high quality? Do any of you use this 'third-party' method for your wedding videos?

Again, I'd truly appreciate any suggestions. I'm a bit confused as I'm sure you can tell!

All the best

Peter

Hey Peter,

I use the Epson RX580, it work pretty good. I'm really happy with the result when printing to white DVD-R. The quality is soo good that customer won't believe that is a DVD-R

For the DVD Cases it depend on the paper you use, it work pretty good too, but for me is cheaper to print outsource, save money and ink. I don't know how it work on UK, but on US I sent my print to Office Max and they do a really good job for just $0.60 or less per page.

Hope this help

Thanks

Hey Peter,

I use the Epson RX580, it work pretty good. I'm really happy with the result when printing to white DVD-R. The quality is soo good that customer won't believe that is a DVD-R

For the DVD Cases it depend on the paper you use, it work pretty good too, but for me is cheaper to print outsource, save money and ink. I don't know how it work on UK, but on US I sent my print to Office Max and they do a really good job for just $0.60 or less per page.

Hope this help

Thanks

That's brilliant advice thanks - do you design your DVD cases on Photoshop before sending them to Office Max? Or is there special software you use to design the case-covers? If it's Photoshop, I guess I would need to research exact sizes to create the case-covers - are you aware of any templates perhaps that would have the correct DVD-case-cover sizes? I'm aware that there would need to be a back, front and 'side' cover.

Can anyone here please recommend a cost-effective UK service for printing DVD case covers should I create the case art myself and email it to them?

Any ideas really appreciated.

Peter

I've had a couple of Epson printers and have had good luck with them. Sounds like you got a pink one. I currently have the RX595 and beat it to death. After a year, it's still all good. It will print everything I want, plus it has a scanner. There are probably a number of Epson models with the same printer "engine". I don't have a CISS but I've read there are systems for a number of Epson printers. I paid US$150 for mine.

Printing on the DVD media is not an ink-intensive activity. I've read that you can give the disk printing surface a glossy look after printing by spraying a thin coat of urethane, but I've not done this.

As for DVD inserts, you'll want to use stock made using photographic paper. The difference compared to matte paper is quite large. This is also very ink intensive so a CISS will be valuable if you're doing any real quantity. Outsourcing may be more cost effective for what you're doing if you do larger runs. Nearly any copy shop should be able to do this for you as long as they have the paper stock. Being an yanqui, I cannot help you with a local resource.

Peter,

I've found these
Taiyo Yuden Watershield Full-Face Printable 16x DVD-R (Pack of 50) - SVP (http://svp.co.uk/product/taiyo_yuden_watershield_ff_printable_3010)
to give the best DVD printing surafce I've come across and I only use the Epson R220, I also use the same printer to print the inlays with.

PM me and I'll send you a sample of the cover.

I'm using the Epson R260 onto non-watershield Taiyo Yuden discs and I'm thrilled. The transport is occasionally problematic and the printer stops printing even all black (ie. text) when a colour cartridge runs out but for $100 Canadian, I'm pretty happy. Next stop is an all in one robotic disc burner and printer combo. Until then, I'm happy enough.

That's brilliant advice thanks - do you design your DVD cases on Photoshop before sending them to Office Max? Or is there special software you use to design the case-covers? If it's Photoshop, I guess I would need to research exact sizes to create the case-covers - are you aware of any templates perhaps that would have the correct DVD-case-cover sizes? I'm aware that there would need to be a back, front and 'side' cover.

Peter, I design my own DVD case art. Search on Google, there is a couple of template for photoshop

Thanks so much for all your suggestions Tripp, Phil, Shaun and Yunisbel.

I have already invested in the Taiyo Yuden Watershield discs when I was testing out the defective printer I got - great to hear that they get a thumbs-up from you.

Here is the Epson Stylus RX585 All-in-One High Quality Photo Printer I'm on the verge of buying: Amazon.co.uk: Epson Stylus RX585 All-in-One High Quality Photo Printer: Electronics & Photo (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000V5COYY/)

I intend to use a monochrome laser printer for my general letter printing etc, but will use the RX585 specifically for printing onto DVDs and letter-headed paper and graphic-headed invoices.

I will then use a third-party service to print out 'glossy' DVD case-covers and perhaps DVD case inserts also. I'll still need to research who might be good for this task. Any suggestions more than welcome!

Does my plan of action sound okay do you think?

Does my plan of action sound okay do you think?

Absolutely. As I said, I have the RX595 and it works with no feed issues like the older Epsons. Laser is best for text and has a lower overall cost. Since I'm from the wrong side of the pond, I can't help you with a print service shop.

Absolutely. As I said, I have the RX595 and it works with no feed issues like the older Epsons. Laser is best for text and has a lower overall cost. Since I'm from the wrong side of the pond, I can't help you with a print service shop.

Brilliant, thanks Tripp. I'll go ahead and buy that one today.

When you said "Sounds like you got a pink one" had you heard of a common 'pink' defect in Epson printers before? I was pulling my hair out - for two weeks I was trying all manner of tests, thinking it was perhaps the printer's compatibility with my iMac that was to blame. Finally I concluded that the printer itself was defective, because it was still printing 'pink' even when connected to my PC laptop with all the latest Epson updates and deleted preferences etc. It was truly a nightmare! I had searched forums galore and wasn't really able to find a solution - Epson just said that it was most likely a hardware problem. I hope no-one else has to suffer this 'pink' problem like I did - you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy!

When you said "Sounds like you got a pink one" had you heard of a common 'pink' defect in Epson printers before?

No Peter, it's just an expression meaning that you got one that didn't work correctly.

Epsons from a few years ago would need a little help from the human operator to help start the CD/DVD tray moving when starting a print job. I had that issue on an Epson 320 (I think) that I bought in 2003 or 2004. The RX595 that I bought a year ago has had no such problems at all, and I've run about two hundred disks through it.

No Peter, it's just an expression meaning that you got one that didn't work correctly.

Epsons from a few years ago would need a little help from the human operator to help start the CD/DVD tray moving when starting a print job. I had that issue on an Epson 320 (I think) that I bought in 2003 or 2004. The RX595 that I bought a year ago has had no such problems at all, and I've run about two hundred disks through it.

Thanks Tripp, I appreciate your recommendation.

Epsons from a few years ago would need a little help from the human operator to help start the CD/DVD tray moving when starting a print job. I had that issue on an Epson 320 (I think) that I bought in 2003 or 2004.

This was fixed (for me, at least) by the solution in this DVinfo thread. (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/dvd-web-video-delivery/86500-ending-epson-dvd-printer-push-pull-problems.html) The solution itself is quicker to do, than it takes to read that thread!!!

I use the Epson R800 with excellent results on T-Y Watershield media.

CIS is also available for the R800.

We have the Epson Stylus R380 Photo printer. Epson Stylus Photo R380, Overview - Product Information - Epson America, Inc. (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=63059189)

Lacks the scanner, but I'm impressed by the results! Then again, everything beats the CD Stomper we used to have!

We also use Taiyo Yuden printable DVDs, as per glorious suggestions on this very board. We got a pack o' 100 o' them from the Musician's Friend website for just over $40 USD.

Best of luck with your new venture!

Thanks guys - all brilliant advice!

...now to check the 'packaging' thread about 'luxury' cases I can present the final DVD in...

i have been using a canon mp610 and have been getting excellent results all round.

i also have a CISS for it and the setup does not fault.

i have been using a canon mp610 and have been getting excellent results all round.

i also have a CISS for it and the setup does not fault.

Thanks for the tip Dany. The CISS is a godsend isn't it? From what I've read on forums the 'bulk ink' that comes with most CISS setups is nearly as good as the authentic ink.

Hi Peter,

I currently use the R265 with CISS system and the quality results still amaze me.

I would suggest printing the covers yourself, if you are happy doing the artwork you can get amazing results using Glossy A4 and the epson printers. Same goes for the discs.

It is all about the resolution to get the images to print nicely (400 pixel per inch) and you are laughing.

I spent a long time trying loads of different paper, quality against cost etc and the best I have found is from Novatech in the UK.

50 A4 glossy sheets for a fiver and you will be impressed with the output.

Hi Peter,

I currently use the R265 with CISS system and the quality results still amaze me.

I would suggest printing the covers yourself, if you are happy doing the artwork you can get amazing results using Glossy A4 and the epson printers. Same goes for the discs.

It is all about the resolution to get the images to print nicely (400 pixel per inch) and you are laughing.

I spent a long time trying loads of different paper, quality against cost etc and the best I have found is from Novatech in the UK.

50 A4 glossy sheets for a fiver and you will be impressed with the output.

Thanks for the advice Vince - much appreciated. I had a look at the Novatech website, is this the particular paper you use?:

Novatech Premium Glossy A4 Photo Paper (50 Sheets) 200g : novatech.co.uk : NOV-CP00A4 (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-CP00A4)

Thats the one....

Great, thanks Vince I'll be having some of that.

Am watching a Photoshop tutorial from scratch at the moment so I can hopefully design my own cases. Can't really find any good Mac software that will do it automatically. Need to learn Photoshop anyway to be able to spruce up images for my website I'm creating myself. I might have a look at some Windows software that can do DVD covers - I can run Windows programs on my Mac also.

Any recommendations for DVD case cover software anyone please?

I think most of us use graphics packages such as photoshop or paint shop pro and create a basic template that you can reuse time and again...

Measure your DVD box case (the area where the cover will go in only) and this will give you the measurements to create a blank dvd cover.

Set it to 400 dpi (or pixels per inch) and then add a 2 pixel border to the image (very helpful for cutting down afterwards). Then, measure where the spine edges will be and add these lines (most packages will let you hide the layer that you put these on) and this will allow you to hide before you print...you dont want those lines on the final cover (but you do want the outside border ones)...

Take some time to learn about layers. This will help you make a good template as you can just open the text on a layer and change a name etc or title

Apart from that, get some inspiration from looking at your own DVD collection (lets face it, the guys who design these should be pretty good!) and also take some input from looking around online.

Remember, you dont have to make something that looks like a universal production... white space can be your friend, less can always be more and one suggestion, use some nice handwriting fonts, shades of grey and different sizes for first names and surnames...

If you do not have any fonts and you want some I have a whole pile of handwriting fonts I have collected from freeware sites so send me an email to vince @ creative-experiences.net and I will zip them up and send them if you want them.

I think most of us use graphics packages such as photoshop or paint shop pro and create a basic template that you can reuse time and again...

Measure your DVD box case (the area where the cover will go in only) and this will give you the measurements to create a blank dvd cover.

Set it to 400 dpi (or pixels per inch) and then add a 2 pixel border to the image (very helpful for cutting down afterwards). Then, measure where the spine edges will be and add these lines (most packages will let you hide the layer that you put these on) and this will allow you to hide before you print...you dont want those lines on the final cover (but you do want the outside border ones)...

Take some time to learn about layers. This will help you make a good template as you can just open the text on a layer and change a name etc or title

Apart from that, get some inspiration from looking at your own DVD collection (lets face it, the guys who design these should be pretty good!) and also take some input from looking around online.

Remember, you dont have to make something that looks like a universal production... white space can be your friend, less can always be more and one suggestion, use some nice handwriting fonts, shades of grey and different sizes for first names and surnames...

If you do not have any fonts and you want some I have a whole pile of handwriting fonts I have collected from freeware sites so send me an email to vince @ creative-experiences.net and I will zip them up and send them if you want them.

Brilliant Vince, you're a gentleman thanks. Working through these tutorials at the moment and just noticed how I can specify the resolution, which as you described I should adjust to 400 pixels/inch. Thanks again. Looks like a pretty intense couple of days I have ahead of me :o)

Another plus for the Taiyo Yuden watershields and epson printers (RX680). The combination prints a beautiful durable DVD and the epsons do a great job at a very low price. I too design my own DVD covers.

Good luck.

Brilliant Vince, you're a gentleman thanks. Working through these tutorials at the moment and just noticed how I can specify the resolution, which as you described I should adjust to 400 pixels/inch. Thanks again. Looks like a pretty intense couple of days I have ahead of me :o)

I easily spent 20hrs on my first real DVD cover. My example above is virtually the same, except because I used layers in PaintShopPro, I just swapped out all the color elements, created new boxes, etc and then it was set.

Now getting the whole mess to print off correctly on my printer turned out to be a multi-hour battle. I eventually gave up and went back to OfficeDepot's print center. But their colors were VASTLY different than my monitor or printer. I have yet to find a way to solve that issue.

Hi Jason,

I know what you mean about the colour difference at professional print houses....I had this issue when I made my brochures in Paint Shop Pro and then saved them as uncomrpressed TIFF files for the printers.

The colours were very different. I managed to get around this by saving the files as Photo Shop files within Paint Shop Pro and then opening them in Photoshop and saving them as TIFF files there.

No idea what was going on and why it worked (or didnt work just from paint shop pro) but I am no expert in photoshop but I am very confident in paint shop pro.

I must admit I have never had any issues printing my box covers from paint shop pro and using my Epson R265 printer...what printer are you using?

Hi Jason,

I know what you mean about the colour difference at professional print houses....I had this issue when I made my brochures in Paint Shop Pro and then saved them as uncomrpressed TIFF files for the printers.

The colours were very different. I managed to get around this by saving the files as Photo Shop files within Paint Shop Pro and then opening them in Photoshop and saving them as TIFF files there.

No idea what was going on and why it worked (or didnt work just from paint shop pro) but I am no expert in photoshop but I am very confident in paint shop pro.

I must admit I have never had any issues printing my box covers from paint shop pro and using my Epson R265 printer...what printer are you using?

My printer is a HP PSC950. I think the problem printing probably stemmed from me actually telling the driver that I was using a specific HP color photo glossy printing paper. When I did that it seems like the printer refused to print on 1/2" of the paper on two sides (it had super huge margins). That was a while ago, so I don't remember if the problem was the printer shrinking the image to fit in its margins, or just cropping off the edges of the image.

If you use a Mac check out Disc Cover 2 from Belight - I love it! Easy, quick, and trouble free.

I've been looking around here for printer recommendations and I just left a post elsewhere about this software - people are going to think I work for them - I don't (but if they want to offer me a job...)

Epson 1800 R. Print my DVD's and also prints for my photo customers.

Peter,

I've found these
Taiyo Yuden Watershield Full-Face Printable 16x DVD-R (Pack of 50) - SVP (http://svp.co.uk/product/taiyo_yuden_watershield_ff_printable_3010)
to give the best DVD printing surafce I've come across and I only use the Epson R220, I also use the same printer to print the inlays with.

PM me and I'll send you a sample of the cover.

Eactly what I use, and from the same company. High recommended and they look totally professional. Currently I wouldn't use anything else.

...went back to OfficeDepot's print center. But their colors were VASTLY different than my monitor or printer. I have yet to find a way to solve that issue.

Jason
I used to work in print. Many print houses use "color profiles" to calibrate their copiers/printers. Before you finalize your graphics, ask your local print house if they use a "color profile" and if they do design your project in that profile (I know photoshop cs and up let you specify color profiles.) The other question you should ask them, and i cannot stress this enough, is if they print in RGB color space or CMYK. RGB is what most consumer printers use which is why jpgs look good on home printers, but most professional printers design and output in CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) which is where saving as a tiff can help. JPGs are automatically RGB, bitmap can be either, and tiffs aren't subject to as much artifacting and are typically CMYK. Another thing you can try is outputting to high resolution print ready PDF, most shops can print from these readily and reproduce your color gamut correctly. Your best friend in any print shop is the in house graphics designer, he or she can tell you the best way to prep you files for accurate reproduction. If you design in CMYK and are using stills grabbed from your NLE or camera, convert them to CMYK before pasting them into your project. This will allow you to tweak the colors if you need to before adding them to the mix. Also, most color laser copiers print at a resolution of 300dpi so 400ppi is a good setting for design but we usually would design at 600dpi (ppi) so that the copiers had twice the resolution needed for output. Again, check your local supplier and see what they recommend and if you get a blank stare when you ask these questions, then find another clerk. Hope this helps!

Hi peter I,m just up the road from you I use an epson rx685 for printing my DVD'S
the results are very good I had a ciss installed but removed it didn't want to ruin machine
I buy original and compatable for around a £2 each.

Hope this helps!

Very helpful. Unfortunately, the folks at Office Depot's print center aren't graphics people. The print using windows Picture / Fax viewer. So.... yeah. Not the sharpest tools in the bag when it comes to higher end graphics design. I'll look into CMYK formatted images from now on.

I think I might be derailing the thread from the main topic since the OP was asking about DVD printing. I use an Epson R220 for short runs. Runs over a 100, I outsource for thermal printing to a local company (American Recordable Media or Video lab) and runs over 500 i send to DiscMakers for glass mastering, printing, stuffing and UPC coding-if necessary.

Very helpful. Unfortunately, the folks at Office Depot's print center aren't graphics people. The print using windows Picture / Fax viewer. So.... yeah. Not the sharpest tools in the bag when it comes to higher end graphics design. I'll look into CMYK formatted images from now on.

You might be better off trying a FedExKinko's (my experience is at least one Employee at Kinko's knows their stuff) or try the yellow pages under "Printers" to find a local print shop that does high end color copying at competitive rates. With a Quick Google search in your area I found many results, you might try http://www.modernprinters.net/ for starters, they advertise competitive rates. You will pay more to have a small printer do the work but you will be able to get increased quality and a higher knowledge base. I wouldn't recommend it for every DVD jacket you need-but for larger runs or high end clients I would strongly recommend it. As in all things you get what you pay for. I would not let them talk you into scoring or folding services though as noted in earlier threads, the case will do the work for you when you insert and close it. Also take your Case with you and check the product carefully before you leave most shops will redo anything done incorrectly but after you leave it can be a fight.