CD/CD-R Label Burning?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SouthSIDE Glen
  • Start date Start date
SouthSIDE Glen

SouthSIDE Glen

independentrecording.net
One area I'm not real caught up on is what the current state of the technology is when it comes to hardware that will create one-off or small duplication runs of CDs or CD-Rs with custom printing/labeling etched or applied right to the face of the disc; i.e. not stick-on labels.

Some questions: Can it be done with CD-Rs or is it only true CD burners that have this capability? Is the LightScribe system any good? What alternatives are there? Are the burners that do this reliable for making pretty error-free discs to be sent for mastering or pre-mastering?

Anyone with actual experinece or more than just hearsay knowledge that has any answeres or other comments that they feel relevant that can either give me a quick rundown or point me to good sources of info for this would get a gold star in my appreciation book. :)

TIA,

G.
 
We use one of these Epsons at church to print directly on to the CDs and DVDs of services. It's got a little tray thingy that holds the disk. In the media list it includes "Printable CD-R/DVD-R." I've seen those in white and silver.
 
There are special machines that will those short run dupe/printing jobs. I see them at the NAMM shows. I believe that discmakers sells machines that do that. That might be a good place to start.

I think the typical way it is done is that you burn the CD as usual from your computer, then run it through a printer that is designed to handle CDR's.

The kinds of systems I see at the NAMM show are actually designed to do the whole job in one machine. So there is typically a spindle that holds a bunch of CDR's and then mechanisms to automatically move the CDR's to the burner, then move the CDR to the printer, and finally move it to a spindle once the whole process is finished. These machines cost a lot more money than just using a CDR-ready inkjet printer to pass a CD through.
 
I also use the Epson printer to print on the white faced printable CDR's. I've done several small runs of demo CD's and the like on that thing.
 
Apl and Sonic, thanks for the quick responses. They're much appreciated.

I've always wondered about those inkjets for printing CD-Rs. My worries may be misplaced, but my concern was how well the inkjet ink stood up the the Real World as far as scratching, accidental moisture, possible reactions between the ink and the disc, etc. For some reason (no real factual one that I can think of, to be sheepishly honest) I have always had the concern that the durability and longevity of standard inkjet printing to disk would be in question.

Are my fears ungrounded in fact and experience? I'd actually like to think they were, a new inkjet printer would be much easier and cheaper :). But on the other hand, if an inkjet solution is not a great solution, I might leave my options open.

How are they working for you, apl? They look good and hold up OK in both looks and sound over time and weather?

Oops, and Metalhead...didn't see you come in there while I was typing. ;)

G.
 
timboZ said:
You can also buy preprinted blank CDR's.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm aware of those, but that's the opposite of what I'm looking for. I'm looking to be able to do custom CD prints per job.

As an example I'm doing a video shoot this weekend that when edited will wind up on DVD-R, but it's a one-off copy for the client (it's a full combo wedding/reception/concert video DVD being made for the newlyweds). I'd like to print the custom cover graphics right to the disc.

G.
 
In my experiences the inkjet printed discs hold up well. I can't say too much about ultimate longevity as I haven't done it for a long period of time, but I know the discs don't smudge or smear under normal use and handling.
I also have a friend who prints full color images on his pirated DVD's...I know, I know...what an ass :D , but they look good and seem to hold up good as well. (All I've ever done is print band logos and text on my discs)
I'd say definitely good for a 99 dollar inkjet printer!
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
They look good and hold up OK in both looks and sound over time and weather?
Click to expand...

I think they look great, certainly better than anything I've done with a Sharpie. I don't have any experience with getting them wet. As far as the ink interacting with the CD, I'd expect the polycarbonate to be neutral and impervious to such issues.
 
At Folkways we use Taiyo Yuden printable CD-Rs and a Primera Signature IV CD printer for the back catalog stuff. Primera also makes burner/printer combos but they're not cheap.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
As an example I'm doing a video shoot this weekend that when edited will wind up on DVD-R, but it's a one-off copy for the client (it's a full combo wedding/reception/concert video DVD being made for the newlyweds). I'd like to print the custom cover graphics right to the disc.
Click to expand...

There's a good chance your inkjet printed DVD will last longer than their marriage. :eek:
 
I use a Primera Bravo CD printer/autoloader combination unit and so far I have never had a complaint. It's actually a nice little pick up. It is an autoloader so it has a little robotic arm that picks up the discs, burns the audio, then prints the graphic. In general the discs come out looking pretty sharp. I bought mine reconditioned for $1200 and have not had a problem with in the year and a half that I have owned it:)
 
Al:
Good answer! :D
...or is it??? In Hollywood that could simply mean that the inkjet-ed discs will last a whole year. ;)

Tom:
Thanks for the link. I have NO intention of using stick-on labels, not to worry. I don't even like them on data CD-Rs, let alone streaming DVDs. I'd like to print right on the disc. That thread seems to end up talking about the Epsons as well as being the high point in the conversation.

That Primera mentioned by MadAudio and xstatic sounds like a great way to go, but I'm not sure if at this point I can get enough use out of it based on ny typical job mix to justify the cost and the signifigant dent in my budget that would make. My account is still recovering from the Nuendo purchase a couple of weekends ago and I'm trying to save next for some actual signal chain upgrades. If/when I anticipate a way to afford it or get it to pay for itself, I'd want something like that.

So far I have not heard or found any negatives to the job that the Epsons do. I'll let this thread hang out for a while longer, but if there are no real negatives to surface, that will suffice both my needs and my budget for the time being, it sounds like. But the florr is still open for a litte while longer...

Going once...

G.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
So far I have not heard or found any negatives to the job that the Epsons do. I'll let this thread hang out for a while longer, but if there are no real negatives to surface, that will suffice both my needs and my budget for the time being, it sounds like. But the florr is still open for a litte while longer...
Click to expand...

My only personal experience with the Epson cd printers is based on frequent trips to Staples where I entertain myself by scratching their sample cds!

If your looking for a short run (even a single disk cd or dvd) and high quality, go to Mixonic.com. You can design online and you can upload your own artwork in a flash. It's very easy and fairly cheap for a small number of disks. A single custom printed dvd-r (no content, no printed insert, and no case) goes for about $5 excluding shipping. The quality is exceptional compared to the average inkjet and they are virtually scratch proof and waterproof--I know because I've tortured them!
 
The onset of Alzheimers...

DOH!

Dwillis, you reminded me of an option I knew about but had completly forgotten. :o

I get my business cards and the occasional jewel case artwork printed by a place called PSPrint. Their quality is excellent, prices are quite reasonable and competitive, and their online service is beyond compare. It sounds very similar to what you describe. I do all the atrwork myself, upload it to their website as EPS files (complete with web apps that allow for proper sizing, centering, bleed borders, etc.) Now that I think of it, they do CD/DVD printing as well. I'll have to check if the do one-offs or have a minimum quantity.

And I'll have to compare them to Mixonic for price and capability as well. Whichever one seems to offer the best price/performace combo will be what I'll do, and I'll save the printer money towards my next decent preamp. :)

Thanks for giving me a kick in the ol' noggen on that one! :)

G.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top