DVD Printer Suitable To Impress Wedding Customers at DVinfo.net

Kelly Langerak · May 19th, 2010, 11:51 AM

I've read other threads but they are too old.

I am wondering what printer to get to replace my Lexmark 4650 and the Kodak ESP7250 that I just bought cause it's junk too.

I'm looking for something that prints, scans, copies and possibly prints onto DVD's too.

Also, do you have to buy new ink or do you use a refill option? What does ink run you? Is it hard to find?

I want awesome quality, but want to avoid paying over $400ish dollars, but I'm open to anything you guys and girls recommend.

Thanks,
Kelly

Chris Davis · May 19th, 2010, 01:46 PM

I think you'll find the media makes as much or more difference in the appearance of the DVD. Tayio Yuden Water Shield disks are virtually indistinguishable from a good retail DVD label, at least on my printer (a Disc Makers Autograph 7.) Even when I was using my cheapie Epson R300 they looked great.

It also very important to me that my printer take widely available print cartridges. My printer uses HP cartridges that are available at Target, Wal-Mart, OfficeMax, et al. If I run out of ink during a particularly large order, I can just run over to the store and pick one up, I don't need to order online and wait a week.

I can print up to 500 DVDs with a pair of ink cartridges, so I don't bother with refills. I have used them in the past and never had (much) trouble, but I'd rather not take a chance.

Kelly Langerak · May 19th, 2010, 01:58 PM

I just did some more test prints on the Kodak printer (if I can get it to recognize the "paper size") They look like crud. I've read that I have to use Kodak paper, but I use SureThing Labels to make my DVD covers and disc covers.

I'm just looking for a printer that works well. Prints excellent on all types of glossy / matte and photo paper.

You can print up to 400 disc labels. That seems really good.

Chris Davis · May 19th, 2010, 02:23 PM

Oh, you're using stick-on labels? Those are potentially bad for DVD players.

I'd suggest getting a printer that can print directly on the face of the DVD. Then buy Water Shield disks. You'll be amazed at how good your DVDs can look.

Look into something like an Epson Stylus Photo 1400. They're only about $200.

Don Bloom · May 19th, 2010, 03:53 PM

I've got 2 R200s and a 1400 which has become my workhorse. It is a great printer and because of the size it'll produce I've done 13X19 prints for family. Paper was hard to find at a reasonable price but regardless. I've been using the TY (now JVC) Watershield discs for 3 years and they look great! Even when it's text only it just looks super.

Kelly Langerak · May 19th, 2010, 04:22 PM

Don, is this your model? Epson Stylus Photo R200 Ink Jet Printer

On Amazon it's got a over 52 1 Star reviews.

Seems to be working well for you.

Hmmm. Seems like printers are getting cheaper in quality and more expensive in ink.

Chris Harding · May 19th, 2010, 05:09 PM

Hi Kelly

I have a couple of Epson R290's ($129.00 here!!) and they do a great job. I print directly onto the DVD's as inkjet printable DVD's are so common now. For the DVD covers I use Epson Photo Quality Inkjet paper and get a great result. I have tried generic cartridges and generic paper and it's really better to bit the bullet and buy the genuine stuff...our local cartridges produced strange colours!!!!

Yeah, ink is expensive..the R290's use 6 cartridges at $22.00 each so new cartridges cost more than the printer!!

I really wouldn't skimp of quality as the DVD is the first thing the bride sees!!!! and you want a good impression!!

Chris

Don Bloom · May 19th, 2010, 05:28 PM

Yeah the R200s were the boss when they came out but after many hundred and hundred and hundreds of discs and paper for cases they finally gave up the ghost one at a time but they will still print on bond paper in so I keep them around. I got the 1400 for the size it will print more than anything else and it's been very solid but yeah the cost of ink is kinda steep but it looks so good...

Chris Davis · May 19th, 2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Langerak

Hmmm. Seems like printers are getting cheaper in quality and more expensive in ink.

That's the business model - sell the printers at a loss and make it up on the consumables.

Kelly Langerak · May 19th, 2010, 06:40 PM

One last question regarding the DVD's that you can print on. Do they have a matte finish or a photo like finish?

Or do you know a brand that has the photo like finish?

JVC Taiyo Yuden White Inkjet Hub Printable 8X DVD-R Media (Premium Line) 100 Pack in Tape Wrap - SuperMediaStore.com

Ben Moore · May 19th, 2010, 06:49 PM

This is what you want:

JVC Taiyo Yuden Water Shield White Inkjet Hub Printable 16X DVD-R Media 100 Pack in Cake Box - SuperMediaStore.com

Hands down the best!

Chris Davis · May 19th, 2010, 08:17 PM

Most printable DVDs and CDs have a matte finish. However, there are varying degrees of "matte-ness". I've used some Ritek disks that have a very nice semi-gloss finish but at matte disk prices.

However if you really want the nice glossy "factory-made" look, you want to get TY Water Shield, or Disc Makers HydroShield (which I suspect are just rebranded TY Water Shield disks.) They cost about twice as much as quality matte disks, but are well worth it.

Edward Carlson · May 19th, 2010, 08:32 PM

I use TY matte and WaterShields in my Epson R300. I also use refillable inks. I worked it out that a full set of ink cartridges (CMYK + LM and LC) is $13.50. I can buy the same set at OfficeMax/Depot/Staples for $80. It's a no brainer to refill inks. The prints are also as good as with the Epson ink. I get mt ink from inksupply.com, and TY DVDs from mediasupply.com. Media Supply is local to me so I get next my orders the next day.

Lukas Siewior · May 19th, 2010, 09:05 PM

I'm using Epson R220 for about 3-4 years now - the tray starts to slip so soon I'll replace for another Epson :-)

Kelly Langerak · May 19th, 2010, 09:18 PM

Thanks Ben.

May 19th, 2010, 11:51 AM	#1
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	DVD Printer Suitable To Impress Wedding Customers I've read other threads but they are too old. I am wondering what printer to get to replace my Lexmark 4650 and the Kodak ESP7250 that I just bought cause it's junk too. I'm looking for something that prints, scans, copies and possibly prints onto DVD's too. Also, do you have to buy new ink or do you use a refill option? What does ink run you? Is it hard to find? I want awesome quality, but want to avoid paying over $400ish dollars, but I'm open to anything you guys and girls recommend. Thanks, Kelly

May 19th, 2010, 03:53 PM	#5
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I've got 2 R200s and a 1400 which has become my workhorse. It is a great printer and because of the size it'll produce I've done 13X19 prints for family. Paper was hard to find at a reasonable price but regardless. I've been using the TY (now JVC) Watershield discs for 3 years and they look great! Even when it's text only it just looks super. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

May 19th, 2010, 05:28 PM	#8
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Yeah the R200s were the boss when they came out but after many hundred and hundred and hundreds of discs and paper for cases they finally gave up the ghost one at a time but they will still print on bond paper in so I keep them around. I got the 1400 for the size it will print more than anything else and it's been very solid but yeah the cost of ink is kinda steep but it looks so good... __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

May 19th, 2010, 01:46 PM	#2
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	I think you'll find the media makes as much or more difference in the appearance of the DVD. Tayio Yuden Water Shield disks are virtually indistinguishable from a good retail DVD label, at least on my printer (a Disc Makers Autograph 7.) Even when I was using my cheapie Epson R300 they looked great. It also very important to me that my printer take widely available print cartridges. My printer uses HP cartridges that are available at Target, Wal-Mart, OfficeMax, et al. If I run out of ink during a particularly large order, I can just run over to the store and pick one up, I don't need to order online and wait a week. I can print up to 500 DVDs with a pair of ink cartridges, so I don't bother with refills. I have used them in the past and never had (much) trouble, but I'd rather not take a chance.

May 19th, 2010, 01:58 PM	#3
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	I just did some more test prints on the Kodak printer (if I can get it to recognize the "paper size") They look like crud. I've read that I have to use Kodak paper, but I use SureThing Labels to make my DVD covers and disc covers. I'm just looking for a printer that works well. Prints excellent on all types of glossy / matte and photo paper. You can print up to 400 disc labels. That seems really good.

May 19th, 2010, 02:23 PM	#4
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	Oh, you're using stick-on labels? Those are potentially bad for DVD players. I'd suggest getting a printer that can print directly on the face of the DVD. Then buy Water Shield disks. You'll be amazed at how good your DVDs can look. Look into something like an Epson Stylus Photo 1400. They're only about $200.

May 19th, 2010, 04:22 PM	#6
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Don, is this your model? Epson Stylus Photo R200 Ink Jet Printer On Amazon it's got a over 52 1 Star reviews. Seems to be working well for you. Hmmm. Seems like printers are getting cheaper in quality and more expensive in ink.

May 19th, 2010, 05:09 PM	#7
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Kelly I have a couple of Epson R290's ($129.00 here!!) and they do a great job. I print directly onto the DVD's as inkjet printable DVD's are so common now. For the DVD covers I use Epson Photo Quality Inkjet paper and get a great result. I have tried generic cartridges and generic paper and it's really better to bit the bullet and buy the genuine stuff...our local cartridges produced strange colours!!!! Yeah, ink is expensive..the R290's use 6 cartridges at $22.00 each so new cartridges cost more than the printer!! I really wouldn't skimp of quality as the DVD is the first thing the bride sees!!!! and you want a good impression!! Chris

May 19th, 2010, 06:40 PM	#10
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	One last question regarding the DVD's that you can print on. Do they have a matte finish or a photo like finish? Or do you know a brand that has the photo like finish? JVC Taiyo Yuden White Inkjet Hub Printable 8X DVD-R Media (Premium Line) 100 Pack in Tape Wrap - SuperMediaStore.com

May 19th, 2010, 06:49 PM	#11
Ben Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 190	This is what you want: JVC Taiyo Yuden Water Shield White Inkjet Hub Printable 16X DVD-R Media 100 Pack in Cake Box - SuperMediaStore.com Hands down the best!

May 19th, 2010, 08:17 PM	#12
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	Most printable DVDs and CDs have a matte finish. However, there are varying degrees of "matte-ness". I've used some Ritek disks that have a very nice semi-gloss finish but at matte disk prices. However if you really want the nice glossy "factory-made" look, you want to get TY Water Shield, or Disc Makers HydroShield (which I suspect are just rebranded TY Water Shield disks.) They cost about twice as much as quality matte disks, but are well worth it.

May 19th, 2010, 08:32 PM	#13
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	I use TY matte and WaterShields in my Epson R300. I also use refillable inks. I worked it out that a full set of ink cartridges (CMYK + LM and LC) is $13.50. I can buy the same set at OfficeMax/Depot/Staples for $80. It's a no brainer to refill inks. The prints are also as good as with the Epson ink. I get mt ink from inksupply.com, and TY DVDs from mediasupply.com. Media Supply is local to me so I get next my orders the next day.

May 19th, 2010, 09:05 PM	#14
Lukas Siewior Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lyndhurst, NJ, USA Posts: 408	I'm using Epson R220 for about 3-4 years now - the tray starts to slip so soon I'll replace for another Epson :-)

May 19th, 2010, 09:18 PM	#15
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Thanks Ben.