Coating for printed DVD at DVinfo.net

Bill Rankin · March 1st, 2006, 08:16 PM

Does anyone know a spray (polyethlene coating or something like that) being used to coat a DVD after printing to add slight sheen and protect the printed surface. Has anyone ever tried something like this?

Nick Weeks · March 1st, 2006, 09:50 PM

Interesting idea... I can't wait for some responses

There are supposedly some types of CDs you can buy that turn out shiny, but I only saw these once a while back when I was looking for printable media.. not even sure if they still make them or not

Glenn Davidson · March 1st, 2006, 09:56 PM

The Rimage Everest II applies a protective coat. Its is expensive though. I really like their products. We use one of their other thermal printers. You can see them at Rimage.com. B&H sells them.

Jacob Ehrichs · March 1st, 2006, 10:53 PM

I've heard some folks use a polyethelene spraypaint to coat thier DVDs.

Brent Warwick · March 2nd, 2006, 02:06 AM

I'm presuming you're talking about inkjet printing. In that case, one to try is Krylon 1301 Crystal Clear Acrylic.

I used it for some time while I was using inkjet. Works well, but takes a bit of experience to apply an even coat without a) getting any on the data side of the disc and b) not spraying acrylic all over the hub portion of the disc. Takes a few hours to dry and then you're good to go. You'll have your slight sheen and smudge protection.

But--there's some drawbacks. For one, if you're spraying relatively large volumes of discs (30+) then you certainly want to set up your spray shop in a well-ventilated area and make sure you have nothing nearby that can't take a slight overspray coating of acrylic. Secondly, because the discs have to dry you need to set them out somewhere safe unstacked for a few hours. At times my place looked like the invasion of the tribbles. CDs on the dining room table, coffee table, my bed, empty shelves...

AND...

...the stuff really stinks. My roommate said he actually liked it when I did a disc coating because it fondly reminded him of his former job in a petrochemical plant.

I'm not sure if Glenn is correct about the Everest II. It's a full-color thermal retransfer printer, but I don't think it applies a separate coating to the discs. Mostly because it doesn't have to. Once a thermal print is applied it's UV protected, waterproof, and smudgeproof. They come out of the printer in full gloss color ready to go straight into the cases. I don't have the Everest II, but I do have the Teac P-55. It comes with two ribbons: ink and retransfer. Nothing in there that applies a protective coating. I think such a thing is probably built right into the ink and transfer process. Glenn is correct that they're expensive: $4500-$5000. And they only print 12cm discs. They're a great investment if you're printing a lot of discs. Or I suppose you could just be filthy rich and want to print excellent looking discs for a hobby. :)

Glenn Davidson · March 3rd, 2006, 04:53 PM

What I meant was the Rimage Everest II prints to a clear re-transfer ribbon then applies that to the Disc using heat and pressure. So the printed surface is protected from scratches. The Rimage Prism does not use the re-transfer process and the printing can scratch off. The main advantage to the Rimage printers is that they are fast and water-proof.

Bill Rankin · March 6th, 2006, 08:11 AM

I will try the Krylon and see how it works. My goal is to protect the surface AND provide light gloss to the print, similar to inserting a DVD cover into a DVD sleeve.

I shall experiment.

Thanks for your responses.

Greg Boston · March 6th, 2006, 09:32 AM

Our little Kodak Easy Share Printer does have a clear coat segment that gets applied on the fourth pass (after CMY).

I also saw some spray in a professional photo store that was meant for application to inkjet stills for protection. Don't know why that stuff wouldn't work as well on DVDs.

-gb-

Arnaldo Paixao · March 7th, 2006, 08:36 AM

To me, the real problem is not the coating, there are numerous solutions to that. Dust is your enemy. As soon as you stop spraying, dust starts to drop on newly sprayed surface. Geting a clean air room/container is IMO the real question.

Best regards,
Arnaldo

Ken Plotin · March 7th, 2006, 10:33 AM

Bill,
Instead of a spray, you might want to look at printable DVDs with a slightly different surface "style". I bought some Pro Disc brand ones from Meritline that have a pearl like luster finish; not as pure white as some, but very pleasing. Almost as though they were sprayed with a soft matte coating.
Hope this helps.
Ken
the Screen Skins guy

Bill Rankin · March 13th, 2006, 07:13 AM

Thanks everyone,

I will check out the Meritline discs.

I wonder why discs do not have a photo type of paper finish like glossy photo paper....

maybe someday.

Hart Boyd · March 13th, 2006, 12:12 PM

Have not tried these myself but Primera has released a new "TuffCoat with AquaGuard" that is suppose to be highly water resistant.

From their website: "Inkjet printed discs won't smudge, run or smear when exposed to rain, snow or spilled liquids."

March 1st, 2006, 08:16 PM	#1
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	Coating for printed DVD Does anyone know a spray (polyethlene coating or something like that) being used to coat a DVD after printing to add slight sheen and protect the printed surface. Has anyone ever tried something like this? __________________ Bill Rankin

March 6th, 2006, 08:11 AM	#7
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	Thanks I will try the Krylon and see how it works. My goal is to protect the surface AND provide light gloss to the print, similar to inserting a DVD cover into a DVD sleeve. I shall experiment. Thanks for your responses. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 13th, 2006, 07:13 AM	#11
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	DVD coating Thanks everyone, I will check out the Meritline discs. I wonder why discs do not have a photo type of paper finish like glossy photo paper.... maybe someday. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 1st, 2006, 09:50 PM	#2
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	Interesting idea... I can't wait for some responses There are supposedly some types of CDs you can buy that turn out shiny, but I only saw these once a while back when I was looking for printable media.. not even sure if they still make them or not

March 1st, 2006, 09:56 PM	#3
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	The Rimage Everest II applies a protective coat. Its is expensive though. I really like their products. We use one of their other thermal printers. You can see them at Rimage.com. B&H sells them.

March 1st, 2006, 10:53 PM	#4
Jacob Ehrichs Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 169	I've heard some folks use a polyethelene spraypaint to coat thier DVDs.

March 2nd, 2006, 02:06 AM	#5
Brent Warwick Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 36	I'm presuming you're talking about inkjet printing. In that case, one to try is Krylon 1301 Crystal Clear Acrylic. I used it for some time while I was using inkjet. Works well, but takes a bit of experience to apply an even coat without a) getting any on the data side of the disc and b) not spraying acrylic all over the hub portion of the disc. Takes a few hours to dry and then you're good to go. You'll have your slight sheen and smudge protection. But--there's some drawbacks. For one, if you're spraying relatively large volumes of discs (30+) then you certainly want to set up your spray shop in a well-ventilated area and make sure you have nothing nearby that can't take a slight overspray coating of acrylic. Secondly, because the discs have to dry you need to set them out somewhere safe unstacked for a few hours. At times my place looked like the invasion of the tribbles. CDs on the dining room table, coffee table, my bed, empty shelves... AND... ...the stuff really stinks. My roommate said he actually liked it when I did a disc coating because it fondly reminded him of his former job in a petrochemical plant. I'm not sure if Glenn is correct about the Everest II. It's a full-color thermal retransfer printer, but I don't think it applies a separate coating to the discs. Mostly because it doesn't have to. Once a thermal print is applied it's UV protected, waterproof, and smudgeproof. They come out of the printer in full gloss color ready to go straight into the cases. I don't have the Everest II, but I do have the Teac P-55. It comes with two ribbons: ink and retransfer. Nothing in there that applies a protective coating. I think such a thing is probably built right into the ink and transfer process. Glenn is correct that they're expensive: $4500-$5000. And they only print 12cm discs. They're a great investment if you're printing a lot of discs. Or I suppose you could just be filthy rich and want to print excellent looking discs for a hobby. :)

March 3rd, 2006, 04:53 PM	#6
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	What I meant was the Rimage Everest II prints to a clear re-transfer ribbon then applies that to the Disc using heat and pressure. So the printed surface is protected from scratches. The Rimage Prism does not use the re-transfer process and the printing can scratch off. The main advantage to the Rimage printers is that they are fast and water-proof.

March 6th, 2006, 09:32 AM	#8
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Our little Kodak Easy Share Printer does have a clear coat segment that gets applied on the fourth pass (after CMY). I also saw some spray in a professional photo store that was meant for application to inkjet stills for protection. Don't know why that stuff wouldn't work as well on DVDs. -gb-

March 7th, 2006, 08:36 AM	#9
Arnaldo Paixao Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vimeiro - Portugal Posts: 255	To me, the real problem is not the coating, there are numerous solutions to that. Dust is your enemy. As soon as you stop spraying, dust starts to drop on newly sprayed surface. Geting a clean air room/container is IMO the real question. Best regards, Arnaldo

March 7th, 2006, 10:33 AM	#10
Ken Plotin Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 254	Bill, Instead of a spray, you might want to look at printable DVDs with a slightly different surface "style". I bought some Pro Disc brand ones from Meritline that have a pearl like luster finish; not as pure white as some, but very pleasing. Almost as though they were sprayed with a soft matte coating. Hope this helps. Ken the Screen Skins guy

March 13th, 2006, 12:12 PM	#12
Hart Boyd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 148	Have not tried these myself but Primera has released a new "TuffCoat with AquaGuard" that is suppose to be highly water resistant. From their website: "Inkjet printed discs won't smudge, run or smear when exposed to rain, snow or spilled liquids."