Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... at DVinfo.net

Eric Olson · June 22nd, 2011, 10:57 PM

From what I understand sticky labels work better on CDs than DVDs. Apparently this is because the tolerances for CDs are not as strict as DVDs so a warped CD is more likely to be readable than an equally warped DVD. I suspect blu-ray tolerances are stricter than DVD, however I think the material a blu-ray disk is made of is also less prone to warping.

Does anyone have experience with sticky labels on blu-ray disks?

Taky Cheung · June 22nd, 2011, 11:11 PM

I would just say stay away with sticky labels at all cost. Technology advances and there're printable BDs out there. I wouldn't chance ruining anything with sticky labels on disk.

Rob Neidig · June 23rd, 2011, 03:00 PM

Eric,

It really has nothing to do with "warping". It has to do with the label unbalancing the disc. Sticky labels can also "unstick" and get gummy and destroy the insides of a DVD player. They can also be problematic with the very thin slots some CD players (usually in cars, it seems) where they won't even fit. So I agree wholeheartedly - no sticky labels, period!

Have fun!

Rob

Eric Olson · June 24th, 2011, 02:15 AM

Are there any slot loading blu-ray players?

Update: I just searched and I there are! So the possibility of slot loading seems to be enough reason to avoid sticky labels. I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the replies.

John Nantz · July 7th, 2012, 05:07 PM

Rob's comment about the label unbalancing the disk is very likely. If the burned track is really narrow, and I suspect it is in order to get all that information on there, then even the slightest unbalancing could easily cause problems.

If one must use a label then the best way to do is is to print the label and attach it to the disk THEN burn the disk. At least this way if the disk is unbalanced, and it probably is, then the burning would be, - don't know how to say this - recognizing the unbalanced disk and playback should be along the same or similar lines.

The above MAY help. In any event it should be better than attaching the label after burning.

Until I get something like a LightScribe I'm just using a pen that writes on plastic.

Taky Cheung · July 7th, 2012, 11:13 PM

I bought these Falcon BD media with watershield glossy look. They look amazing. just like those JVC/TY watershield glossy DVDs. I wouldn't bother to stick any labels on BD

Falcon Media Pro Watershield Glossy BD-R Media | L.A. Color Online Blog

John Estcourt · July 12th, 2012, 04:03 PM

+1 for the falcon media bluray discs.
Very high quality.
John

John Nantz · February 6th, 2013, 07:00 PM

Unbalancing the disc is correct. However, if one MUST have a label then put it on the disc BEFORE burning it. This way, at least, there will be a little less Unbalancing.

Vince Pachiano · April 22nd, 2014, 09:37 AM

OK. I know this thread is 3 years old, but just to spice things up...
IIRC the issue with using labels on a DVD is that once adhered to the DVD,
the label will shrink and expand with the humidity. Of course if the label shrinks while adhered,
it will definitely warp the disc.

The last box of 100 labels I bought, before I got a Disk Printer, had 100 CD labels, and 10 DVD labels
The DVD labels had more of a Mylar finish, rather than a paper finish.
Presumably they did not absorb humidity.

June 22nd, 2011, 10:57 PM	#1
Eric Olson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 553	Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... From what I understand sticky labels work better on CDs than DVDs. Apparently this is because the tolerances for CDs are not as strict as DVDs so a warped CD is more likely to be readable than an equally warped DVD. I suspect blu-ray tolerances are stricter than DVD, however I think the material a blu-ray disk is made of is also less prone to warping. Does anyone have experience with sticky labels on blu-ray disks?

June 22nd, 2011, 11:11 PM	#2
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... I would just say stay away with sticky labels at all cost. Technology advances and there're printable BDs out there. I wouldn't chance ruining anything with sticky labels on disk. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

June 23rd, 2011, 03:00 PM	#3
Rob Neidig Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 222	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... Eric, It really has nothing to do with "warping". It has to do with the label unbalancing the disc. Sticky labels can also "unstick" and get gummy and destroy the insides of a DVD player. They can also be problematic with the very thin slots some CD players (usually in cars, it seems) where they won't even fit. So I agree wholeheartedly - no sticky labels, period! Have fun! Rob

June 24th, 2011, 02:15 AM	#4
Eric Olson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 553	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... Are there any slot loading blu-ray players? Update: I just searched and I there are! So the possibility of slot loading seems to be enough reason to avoid sticky labels. I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the replies.

July 7th, 2012, 05:07 PM	#5
John Nantz Trustee Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,254	Unbalancing the disk Rob's comment about the label unbalancing the disk is very likely. If the burned track is really narrow, and I suspect it is in order to get all that information on there, then even the slightest unbalancing could easily cause problems. If one must use a label then the best way to do is is to print the label and attach it to the disk THEN burn the disk. At least this way if the disk is unbalanced, and it probably is, then the burning would be, - don't know how to say this - recognizing the unbalanced disk and playback should be along the same or similar lines. The above MAY help. In any event it should be better than attaching the label after burning. Until I get something like a LightScribe I'm just using a pen that writes on plastic.

July 7th, 2012, 11:13 PM	#6
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... I bought these Falcon BD media with watershield glossy look. They look amazing. just like those JVC/TY watershield glossy DVDs. I wouldn't bother to stick any labels on BD Falcon Media Pro Watershield Glossy BD-R Media \| L.A. Color Online Blog __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

July 12th, 2012, 04:03 PM	#7
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... +1 for the falcon media bluray discs. Very high quality. John __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

February 6th, 2013, 07:00 PM	#8
John Nantz Trustee Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,254	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... Unbalancing the disc is correct. However, if one MUST have a label then put it on the disc BEFORE burning it. This way, at least, there will be a little less Unbalancing.

April 22nd, 2014, 09:37 AM	#9
Vince Pachiano Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 307	Re: Sticky labels on blu-ray disks... OK. I know this thread is 3 years old, but just to spice things up... IIRC the issue with using labels on a DVD is that once adhered to the DVD, the label will shrink and expand with the humidity. Of course if the label shrinks while adhered, it will definitely warp the disc. The last box of 100 labels I bought, before I got a Disk Printer, had 100 CD labels, and 10 DVD labels The DVD labels had more of a Mylar finish, rather than a paper finish. Presumably they did not absorb humidity.