Hi,

Let me know if there is a better place to ask this question. I currently have an Epson Stylus Photo 960 which prints on DVDs and they come out looking great if the heads do not clog. Also sometimes the DVD try slips and the printing come out looking like a label was put on wrong.

I am looking into getting a new printer just for printing on DVD in full color. I would like it to be full color, try loading just like you would load a DVD in a DVD drive. So I can put it in and forget about it.

I would appreciate advice also on a printer that will print multiple DVD at a time? It all depends on what is the cost difference. Maybe even a small duplicator but I think that might be out of my price range for now. I think I have to stay around $600.00US Max.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,

John Gerard

For low volume I would opt for a Canon Pixma printer. Better quality than Epson. For higher volume I would have a look at the Rimage printers, but am not sure if it fits your budget. From what I have heard Rimage is top.

The only complexity to Harm's suggestion for us Yanks is that Canon have not licensed the disk printing technology in the US. At least they haven't the last I checked. You can find the trays on the Web according to others.

I have an Epson and have never had a head clog issue, and I've printed over 200 disks and DVD sleeves with it with great results to my eyes. That said, Harm's a smart cat and if he says the Canon's have better quality I'd believe him.

Canon Pixma here.....

Remove the little plastic cover, and buy a tray if necessary...

IIRC there have been numerous posts here on where to get these trays and what software adjustments were needed in the Canon printers to make them work in the US. It was some time ago, but a search may reveal these old posts. This was before the Pixma line came out, so maybe a look for Canon i865 will lead you to the correct thread.

Although Rimage may well be the best printer, it is way out of the budget.

If you search on Google for "Canon DVD tray" you will find all the info you need.

Hi,

I just wondered what model you were thinking about?

Thanks,

John Gerard

For low volume I would opt for a Canon Pixma printer. Better quality than Epson. For higher volume I would have a look at the Rimage printers, but am not sure if it fits your budget. From what I have heard Rimage is top.

What model of Epson do you have? I have the old by now 960 printer that uses individual ink for each color. I agree that my Epson prints near photo quality. I mean that is when you compare it using a loop to a 35mm print of the same size. It does really excellent printing on the Epson High gloss Photo Paper.

Its great to hear that you have never had a problem with cloging heads. Maybe if yours is a newer one Epson soved the problem. I know that lot of other people have had the head cloging problem. Mine may be that I did not use the printer for a year or two before using it again. The Epsons have built in heads in the printer whereas others like HP have the heads built into the cartridge so the heads are new each and every time the ink is changed.

John Gerard

The only complexity to Harm's suggestion for us Yanks is that Canon have not licensed the disk printing technology in the US. At least they haven't the last I checked. You can find the trays on the Web according to others.

I have an Epson and have never had a head clog issue, and I've printed over 200 disks and DVD sleeves with it with great results to my eyes. That said, Harm's a smart cat and if he says the Canon's have better quality I'd believe him.

You need to use the Epson regularly, like every few days to make sure the heads do not clog. I have the Epson R220 and the Epson R280 both make excellent DVD prints on TY Watershield or hard coat discs that I use.

Ron Evans

What model of Epson do you have?

It's an 595 which I don't think they make any more. I bought it about two years ago.

John,

I would have a look at the Pixma iP4600 or maybe - if A3 printing is of benefit - the Pro9000 or Pro 9500. Realize the latter 2 are significantly more expensive.

I've had an HP Photosmart C5280 All In One printer for over a year now. Cost $159 when I bought it at Circuit City.

Has a single disk tray and with Roxio Creator 9 and 10 I set up my disk labels in PhotoShop then import them as a custom background, kill the default titles, drag some little positioning mark off the disk format and then start printing.

Each one seems to take about one minute or less and I have never had a head clog or problem.

The same machine serves as a standalone copier, a computer driven scanner, and does all the usual printing chores.

I have a Canon IP4200, was dirt cheap at $80, printed over 1500 DVDs with it each one perfect, defect free to date. The tray does not auto-feed anymore I have to nudge each one just a little but prints is fine. You are not going to find a printer that does multiple disc's at your price range, those go for around $3000. Your best bet would be to buy multiple cheap printers or find a good supplier that has a Thermal printer that will do your prints for you.

Hi all,

All of you have good suggestions. At one time I did not use my current Epson printer for about 2 years with the ink still in it and when I fired it up again it still worked. I think this is pretty good considering. Right now as I said the red/magenta heads clog from time to time. I recently printed about 8 Discs and DVD inserts, etc. and I got no head clogging after an initial cleaning of a few times. I gently hold/push the tay against the edge of the paper tay to make sure it does not misalign. Even a little misalignment and the DVD does not look very good.

At my local camera store they use a CD only printer that loads the disk as you would a CD in your computer. This is more of what I am looking into. I realize that a Multi CD printer was going to be expensive but if it was going to only cost double then it might be a good investment. I would just like to put the CD in and press print. Then do something else while it prints. I will do some more research when I get back from England.

John Gerard

Hi,

Let me know if there is a better place to ask this question. I currently have an Epson Stylus Photo 960 which prints on DVDs and they come out looking great if the heads do not clog. Also sometimes the DVD try slips and the printing come out looking like a label was put on wrong.

I am looking into getting a new printer just for printing on DVD in full color. I would like it to be full color, try loading just like you would load a DVD in a DVD drive. So I can put it in and forget about it.

I would appreciate advice also on a printer that will print multiple DVD at a time? It all depends on what is the cost difference. Maybe even a small duplicator but I think that might be out of my price range for now. I think I have to stay around $600.00US Max.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,

John Gerard

I ran my Epson R200 to death over many years.
Had too many problems with Epson's ink-cartridges tho.

Just replaced it with an HP D5460 and I'm very happy with the results EXCEPT:
The disc design software they include really SUCKS.

Luckily I found Acoustica CD Label Maker for $20 which supports direct printing to disc for many models of printers.

Just ran off 120 dvds of a play my son was in for the cast and crew and everyone was very happy....

Well, my Epson R260 worked (PAST TENSE) just fine EXCEPT for feed issues for about 18 months and then it started ignoring recently changed ink cartridges and is now reporting all cartridges are empty. That's a $100 touch for ink that is now useless. Let me be perfectly clear: I have never and I mean NEVER used non-Epson Ink cartridges, never refilled (or had refilled) the cartridges and never allowed anyone else to use my printer. I will NOT buy another Epson printer for any reason. I've put about 200 - 300 discs through it in that timeframe and less than 500 pages of regular printing.

At my former 9 - 5 we had a 400 series (? - one of the ones with the LCD screen and print from card capabilities) as well as an R200 that gave satisfactory results until they started having feed issues and streaking issues.

I would HAPPILY have paid more money for a better printer but when I was looking, in MY market, there were no other options available so I purchased the $150CDN R260. Next time (which is pretty much immediately), I'll order something in if I need to. Possibly an automated printer/burner.

I've been using the Epson R800 for 3 years without a problem with hundreds of discs printed. If you don't use it regularly (at least once every couple of weeks) the inkjets nozzles can dry and clog. If they do you run the head cleaning utility, which wastes a bunch of ink but fixes it. Ink cartridges run $13 x 7 = $91. Expensive but it no secret that all printer manufactures make their money on the ink. I've recently been playing with generic ink, seems fine but I've heard it can clog your heads, although I haven't had a problem. As far as quality goes if you get the more expensive water shield dics the quality is so high I can't imagine anything being better, looks like a glossy photo.

I've been using the Epson R380 for many years now, and I've printed thousands of dvds, brochures, and documents with it. I would HIGHLY recommend installing a continuous ink supply system (ciss) by supersmartelectronics. I've tried other systems, but this supersmart system works flawlessly from the very start. No more worries about expensive ink cartridges! I got my kit for less than $70 and it's so worth it.

Thx Warren. I'll have to keep them in mind next time I need ink. I went to their web site but I'm not completely sure how it works. I see the inks in a transparent plastic compartments attached to a ribbon cable.

I went to their web site but I'm not completely sure how it works. I see the inks in a transparent plastic compartments attached to a ribbon cable.

That is correct. Ink are in external tanks, sitting next to the printer. The ribbon (actually tubes for the ink) goes inside, and the head replaces your ink cartridges. One tank of ink will last a very, very long time! Quality is superb too. You won't see any difference compared to genuine ink. Also, I've NEVER had a problem with clogged/dirty heads at all, which I couldn't believe.

The process of installing the system is easy, it comes with the detailed instructions. The installation also resets the cartridge chips, telling the printer that all ink cartridges are full. Eventually, as you do a lot of printing, you'll see that one of your colors (most likely black) is almost empty (although the external tanks are still full.) You'll either get an error saying there's no ink or that the cartridges aren't recognized. At this point, simply turn off your printer for 2 minutes, and the chip resets itself. All your ink levels will appear full again. This system is so simple...it's truly a no brainer.

When your external tanks eventually empties (one tankful will last way over 2 years, even with every day printing) simply refill it with their replacement bulk ink. The bulk ink is very inexpensive too.

In all honesty, I would consider this CISS system in the category of "one of the most incredible discoveries."

Thx for explaining it to me.

Just going to chime in here real quick to say that the XLNT Idea machines are absolute rubbish. Had nothing but problems and shoddy tech support with ours.

The arm fails to grab discs, it almost always prints yellow instead of black unless you pull the color cartridge and blot the head with a paper towel, and the software crashes frequently. It even broke it's own arm off and we had to get a refurbed unit which ended up being a hassle.

If you're looking for a high output machine, don't even consider these guys.

I ran my Epson R200 to death over many years.
Had too many problems with Epson's ink-cartridges tho.

Just replaced it with an HP D5460 and I'm very happy with the results EXCEPT:
The disc design software they include really SUCKS.

Luckily I found Acoustica CD Label Maker for $20 which supports direct printing to disc for many models of printers.

Just ran off 120 dvds of a play my son was in for the cast and crew and everyone was very happy....
I used an Epson R800 for 4 years. High quality prints, archival inks, easy to use software, expensive cartridges, and issues with heads clogging from not using frequently enough. Unfortunately, I screwed it up using CISS.
Epson has unfortunately discontinued R800, the replacement is the R1900, which on the expensive side, $400 after $150 rebate, and very big and heavy, but if you have a need to print large high quality photos and can serve two purposes.

Now I own a HP D7560. Good quality prints, replaceable head (although its an expensive part), expensive cartridges, bad dvd printing software (I've opted to instead use Photoshop with a custom template I created), bad loading tray (every few dvds you have to open and close the tray and then resend the job. very annoying), leaves streaks for some reason on the surface of water shielded discs.

Now I own a HP D7560. Good quality prints, replaceable head (although its an expensive part), expensive cartridges, bad dvd printing software (I've opted to instead use Photoshop with a custom template I created), bad loading tray (every few dvds you have to open and close the tray and then resend the job. very annoying), leaves streaks for some reason on the surface of water shielded discs.

I use a HP D7560, too. My experience with it is almost the same as yours. I don't use water shielded discs; mine are plain white and the quality is excellent. I use MagicMouse as the printing software: incredibly intuitive and slick. Like you (I gather), I don't like having to open/close the loading tray every so often. Minor quibbles, IMHO.

Steve

[QUOTE=Steven Reid;1429866]I use a HP D7560, too. My experience with it is almost the same as yours. I don't use water shielded discs; mine are plain white and the quality is excellent. I use MagicMouse as the printing software: incredibly intuitive and slick. Like you (I gather), I don't like having to open/close the loading tray every so often. Minor quibbles, IMHO.

Oh I have more than minor quibbles. It drives me crazy you try to print 2 simple disks and after the first disk, the whole printer preperation and then nothing.

I can see a blurb in the local paper coming soon about the local video person who beat a printer to death with a sledge hammer.

Oh I have more than minor quibbles. It drives me crazy you try to print 2 simple disks and after the first disk, the whole printer preperation and then nothing.

I can see a blurb in the local paper coming soon about the local video person who beat a printer to death with a sledge hammer.

Haha. Well, in that case, you'd at least have one completed disk and then a 'smashing' good reason to find a new printer. (I thought the printer prep was an odd artifact of Vista x64, the HP software, or both, which I intended to get rid of when I upgrade to Win 7. Guess I was wrong...)

I'm using XP. I did have a couple of Epson's that tho they were slower than the HP, I could set it up for say 25 disks and it would print 25 disks. the most I've been able to do with the HP ( and I also have the 5460..same thing) is 10 and that's with brand new cartridges. to me, it seems the less ink in the cartridges, the more it wants to do printer prep.

I'd get a canon in a heartbeat, but it's gettig harder to figure out which ones that are still available can be 'tweeked'

BTW I'm using Sure Thing's software for printing which has always worked well for me.

Hi all again,

I upgraded my computer to 64 bit and now I need a new printer to print DVDs. I currently have the old Epson Stylus Photo 960 that prints great, very nice. It prints great on DVDs as well but I have to hold my finger against the CD try so it does not get misalined. Epson does not provide Win7 64bit drivers so I need a new printer. I also have a Dell Photo 966 all-in-one printer that prints great photos but slow and does not print on DVDs. DVD only printers are to expensive. I have done a bit of research and the Epson printers look the best in this category. I am looking at the Epson 1400 or maybe the R1900. Does anyone know anything about the R1900 printer? Does it print the WaterShield type printing? Any other recommendations?

Thanks,

John Gerard

Before you give up on your Epson, you might try the drivers on this page (if you haven't already):

Epson Stylus Photo 960, Drivers & Downloads - Technical Support - Epson America, Inc. (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=18403&prodoid=22403490&infoType=Downloads&platform=All)

My old 320 wasn't working under Win 7 64 so I messed around with some of these and now it works fine, and has a newer copy of the Print CD software as well. Still pretty rudimentary but better than the one that came with the printer.

Hi,
I am wavering towards the Epson R1900. Because I can print large format prints on occasion and it uses a wider rage of colors than the R800. I still need to do some more research on this printer. I will probable get an ics system for this printer as well. My Dell while printing photos well uses a lot of ink. Every time I turn around I am replacing the Photo ink cartage. And it has to perform a nozzle cleaning check every time I switch back and forth between black only printing text and Photos.
I tried for my Epson 960 print a printer ink refill kit a number of years ago. You had to refill each cartage individually and you had to place a bit of hot clue to hold the ink in the cartage that I could not get right so the ink would just leak out. I gave up and went back to just buying OEM cartages. Even thought they are very expensive. $70USD for a complete set. I hope the new Ics systems are much easier to use. Also what is the best ink. In the past OEM was the only way to go if you wanted great consistent color.

John Gerard

Hi all again,

I upgraded my computer to 64 bit and now I need a new printer to print DVDs. I currently have the old Epson Stylus Photo 960 that prints great, very nice. It prints great on DVDs as well but I have to hold my finger against the CD try so it does not get misalined. Epson does not provide Win7 64bit drivers so I need a new printer. I also have a Dell Photo 966 all-in-one printer that prints great photos but slow and does not print on DVDs. DVD only printers are to expensive. I have done a bit of research and the Epson printers look the best in this category. I am looking at the Epson 1400 or maybe the R1900. Does anyone know anything about the R1900 printer? Does it print the WaterShield type printing? Any other recommendations?

Thanks,

John Gerard

Hi,
First, that link does not seem to work. The only 64bit divers I could find for the 960 on Epson's site was for the Epson Easy Print driver/ software. I am going to try that and see. Windows7 did install some sort of driver that shows the printer as a USB device but by that driver along it is not recognized by any of my software so I can't print.

John Gerard

Before you give up on your Epson, you might try the drivers on this page (if you haven't already):

Epson Stylus Photo 960, Drivers & Downloads - Technical Support - Epson America, Inc. (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=18403&prodoid=22403490&infoType=Downloads&platform=All)

My old 320 wasn't working under Win 7 64 so I messed around with some of these and now it works fine, and has a newer copy of the Print CD software as well. Still pretty rudimentary but better than the one that came with the printer.

I tried the link again and it works this time.

John Gerard

QUOTE=Adam Gold;1603709]Before you give up on your Epson, you might try the drivers on this page (if you haven't already):

Epson Stylus Photo 960, Drivers & Downloads - Technical Support - Epson America, Inc. (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=18403&prodoid=22403490&infoType=Downloads&platform=All)

My old 320 wasn't working under Win 7 64 so I messed around with some of these and now it works fine, and has a newer copy of the Print CD software as well. Still pretty rudimentary but better than the one that came with the printer.[/QUOTE]

It's not just the printer that matters, the media surface type makes a huge difference. I am using Epson Artisan 50 printer (paid $35 brand new from Ebay..lucky). Then use the TY/JVC watersheild DVD.

Taiyo Yuden/JVC Watershield Glossy DVD | L.A. Color Blog (http://lacoloronline.com/blog/?10106-Taiyo-Yuden-JVC-Watershield-Glossy-DVD)

The difference compared to other white printable DVD is NIGHT AND DAY. You tried it and you'll be blown away.

I have used many types of single disc printers and have to agree with most of the comments posted already. The HP systems are all garbage from day one, as well as private brand printers that are really just rebranded HP systems. You can tell when they use the standard HP ink carts,

We once had a bank of 10 Epson R200s running in our duplication room and things were good when they worked but constant ink issues and head clogging made suicide seem like a viable option.

Switched to the Canon systems and have been in heaven ever since. Way more efficient ink usage, cheaper ink to start with and flawless quality and performance. To solve your US source issues just order them online from TigerDirect.ca- Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Accessories, PC Components & Electronics (http://www.tiger.ca) and enjoy simple easy printing.

Hi,
I just ordered the Epson R1900. The cost was $499.00USD + a 150.00 rebate = $350.00. This is the same cost I paid for my Epson 960. It has a new set of colors over the Epson R1400. I might sell some of my tennis, auto racing and blue angels photos so it seemed like a good choice and it is supposed to be pretty fast. I think a review on Youtube said a 13 x 19 print was around 2-3minutes. What CIS system would you recommend. One, easy to install and two, best quality ink? I read and watched on YouTube just about every thing out there and it hasn't helped in the decision process. There is a great video on the Lyson ink out of the UK that looks good as one option if I can get more info about it.
I call Epson tech support and they said that for printing on the WaterShield DVDs the Memerex brand looks the best. Since I got a recommendation here to use the TY DVDs I have not used anything else. So I just wondered how well printing on TY WaterShield DVDs will look. Printing Standard TY DVDs on my Epson 960 look great except that these have the mat finish. I prefer a high gloss finish which looks a lot better. I know the only way to really know is to print a few. I just wanted a few impressions/thoughts on weather I should jump in and buy a 50pk. I already have about 150 of the Standard TY DVDs.

Thanks,

John Gerard

The TY Watershield DVDs look great. They are the only brand we use and we are completly satisfied. A friend took one right off the printer and put it in a bowl of Pepsi and let it sit an hour before washing it off and it still looked great, not as good as a non-pepsi disk but still better than any HP disk I've ever made. Now thats a torture test if there ever was one.

i have an older Epson R380; works great when the damn heads dont clog and when the heads stay aligned. other than that its an excellent DVD printer; i use the Taiyo Yudens as well.

Thanks for the thoughts. I think I am going to order one 50 pk to try out.

John Gerard

Hi,
While ordering on SuperMediaStore, that TY now produce several different products I was not familiar with. They have the Value brand, premium brand both with mat finish. Then they have the hard coat similar to the WaterShield DVDs but with a mat finish.and the print plus Semi-gloss Water resistant I believe and the WaterShield DVDs. All these except the value line are warranted for 100 years, so they say. They said that TY are coming out with Blu-ray DVDs in the next couple of months. I told the sales person that I like the high gloss finish and other aspects of the WaterShield version. She would send my comments on. The next time you order put in your two cents worth.

John Gerard

It's not just the printer that matters, the media surface type makes a huge difference. I am using Epson Artisan 50 printer (paid $35 brand new from Ebay..lucky). Then use the TY/JVC watersheild DVD.
Taiyo Yuden/JVC Watershield Glossy DVD | L.A. Color Blog (http://lacoloronline.com/blog/?10106-Taiyo-Yuden-JVC-Watershield-Glossy-DVD)
The difference compared to other white printable DVD is NIGHT AND DAY. You tried it and you'll be blown away.

Thanks Taky.....I agree 100%. First class all the way. Expecially when you are using photos of people on your media.