Hi, I'm getting ready to send various reels to different networks across the country. I want to know if it is possible to purchase a kit that will completely allow you to laser etch /color DVD surfaces. I know lightscribe is a possibility, but I doubt it does full color. Is there a company that does print jobs on top of the DVDs? I'm not talking about the print and paste label, that just looks cheap, i'm talking about actually printing on top of the DVD in full color. If so, where can I find a company like this, any testimonials?
Thanks

Spike:

I looked at this a little while back, and determined that best available was the discs with a printable surface. You can get discs with either white or a silvery printable surface. Technology may now be changing. But I have gotten good results with these, and the Epson R220 printer which has a disk printer. It also has a decent piece of software to design a professional looking disc.

Chris Barcellos

I'll second that, I release low volume sell-thru DVD's using an Epson R300 and the results look great!

Same here, I just did 100 DVD's for a friend. I used a R300, looked great, he thought I took them to a print shop to have them done. And the best part it only took avout 2 hours to do all 100. John

I use an R200 (after my 960's head become clogged - haven't fixed it yet - I now use Epson ink only). Fairly easy pass-through style printing tray for the DVDs. Also, using photo-grade inserts (I get my caseliners from Fry's, but they are Meritline's), you can use the same printer to print case covers. Oh, Meritline has a free application to do basic covers linked from where they sell the covers. It does basic text and picture inserts. But since it will do graphics (open file, paste here, resize), the quality of the covers goes up with your photoshop skills.

hi guys, looks great to me. I just have to confirm, it prints ON the disk instead of on a label, which is then stuck to the disk, correct?

Just making sure!

Spike:

Yes, they have a blank face that can accept photo printing. I actually bought some at WalMart on my last project. So far I ve only used the white ones, but will eventually check out the silvery ones.

Chris Barcellos

With respect to the stick-on labels, I think that most DVD experts have concerns that labels a) cause or accelerate delamination of the dye layer and b) can cause the disk to wobble due to imbalance - causing problems with data transfer.

Best advice, go for the color printers mentioned above. You get a great looking image for the $.

Also, the first time one of your stick-on labels ruins someone's slot-load player, you'll really regret it! Use printable discs...

After struggling with using my new CD Stomper Labels with my older CD Stomper stomper, having to carefully peel the peforated tabs off each one, and then having the labels occasionally lift off the disc days later, I finnaly said "forget it".

I just ordered my Epson Stylus Photo R220 printer. I run very small jobs - either one-off check discs or duplication masters. It's nice to hear others positive feedback on the Epson line. And not bad for $99! I feel like I made the right choice.

I love this place...

I have the R320 and love it!!! i will never go back to peel and stick again.

In a related topic, has anyone seen (and perhaps even used) the TDK photo quality printable DVD media? Seems like it was announced months ago, but still not readily, if at all, available.

Mike.

Mike,

I have found the TDK printable media, both +r and -r at Costco. I purchased and used some one time when I was in a pinch and needed a few discs. I prefer other brands and generally purchase online at www.supermediastore. I find better pricing and the brands I prefer there.

Lloyd, thanks for the link, but that's just the garden variety matt finish DVD media that has been around for a while. What I am looking for is a special, glossy surface media, apparently only made by TDK. The surface is like that of photo quality inkjet paper.

I did find the media at www.tdk.com/recmedia/dvd/printondvd.html, which is TDK's online store. They want $3.99 (!) for a single disk.

Has anyone tried this and if so, what is your experience?

I use a IP4000 canon printer. I figured if I use a canon camcorder, why not stick with the brand? :))

They want $3.99 (!) for a single disk.For that kind of money, depending on your volume, suck it up and buy an Everest 2 or Teac P-55. The machines cost from $4500-$5000, but if you produce 1000 DVDs a year and use TY thermal printable media at about $0.50 each, you'll be ahead $3500 on media after one year. So the machine pays for itself in a year and a half. Then you get all the benefits of full color thermal retransfer: UV resistant, totally waterproof (I guarantee the TDK media is far from that), and print times are faster. Definitely and investment, but worth it if you're volume is high enough. I bought the P-55 and don't have buyer's remorse one bit.