printing DVD labels at DVinfo.net

Spike Spiegel · January 22nd, 2006, 03:07 AM

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

Chris Barcellos · January 22nd, 2006, 10:54 AM

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

Steve Connor · January 22nd, 2006, 10:59 AM

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

John Christensen · January 22nd, 2006, 12:38 PM

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

George Ellis · January 22nd, 2006, 12:56 PM

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.

Spike Spiegel · January 22nd, 2006, 12:56 PM

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!

Chris Barcellos · January 22nd, 2006, 02:13 PM

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

Mike Cavanaugh · January 25th, 2006, 10:21 AM

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 $.

Barry Werger · January 25th, 2006, 11:40 AM

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

Scott Anderson · January 25th, 2006, 12:47 PM

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...

Max Wilson · January 25th, 2006, 03:25 PM

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

Mike Hanlon · January 25th, 2006, 05:01 PM

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.

Lloyd Coleman · January 26th, 2006, 01:16 PM

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.

Mike Hanlon · January 26th, 2006, 01:48 PM

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?

Cosmin Rotaru · January 26th, 2006, 02:12 PM

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

January 22nd, 2006, 03:07 AM	#1
Spike Spiegel Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 429	printing DVD labels 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

January 22nd, 2006, 10:54 AM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Printing DVD/CDS 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

January 22nd, 2006, 12:38 PM	#4
John Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Princeton, MN Posts: 36	Printing DVD labels 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

January 22nd, 2006, 02:13 PM	#7
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Disk themselves have blank label 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 __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

January 25th, 2006, 05:01 PM	#12
Mike Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 180	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. __________________ VM Productions

January 22nd, 2006, 10:59 AM	#3
Steve Connor Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 383	I'll second that, I release low volume sell-thru DVD's using an Epson R300 and the results look great!

January 22nd, 2006, 12:56 PM	#5
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	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.

January 25th, 2006, 10:21 AM	#8
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	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 $.

January 25th, 2006, 11:40 AM	#9
Barry Werger Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 104	Also, the first time one of your stick-on labels ruins someone's slot-load player, you'll really regret it! Use printable discs...

January 25th, 2006, 12:47 PM	#10
Scott Anderson Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 327	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...

January 25th, 2006, 03:25 PM	#11
Max Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 62	I have the R320 and love it!!! i will never go back to peel and stick again.

January 26th, 2006, 01:16 PM	#13
Lloyd Coleman Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 256	TDK Media 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.

January 26th, 2006, 01:48 PM	#14
Mike Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 180	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? __________________ VM Productions

January 26th, 2006, 02:12 PM	#15
Cosmin Rotaru Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Romania, Timisoara Posts: 453	I use a IP4000 canon printer. I figured if I use a canon camcorder, why not stick with the brand? :)) __________________ Cosmin Rotaru