I need a CD thermal printer

[jbroad572]

I am working with around $1000-$1500 budget. It will be used at my church for cd's we record and produce for conferences, services, etc.
Please point me in the right direction.
Thanks!

 

[MadAudio]

Does it absolutely need to be thermal?

Primera makes some really nice inkjet printers in that price range.

 

[Farview]

I use an epson inkjet that cost $120. I've done 100's of CDs, in color. Not a problem. The downside is that you have to individually feed the CDs.

 

[jbroad572]

I use an epson inkjet that cost $120. I've done 100's of CDs, in color. Not a problem. The downside is that you have to individually feed the CDs.

Well, I just don't want to have to worry about the ink smearing if wet. A $120 printer would be fine, but the church has up to $1500 set aside for the thermal printer, so just want to get the best for the money. One that doesn't need to be individually fed would great.

 

[gordone]

Alot of Media Center'ish PCs (HP, Compaq, etc) are coming with LiteScribe burners built in. These use the laser to write the labeling. I think you might have to use special CD-Rs, not sure, but look into it. Probably not the most effecient way as you'd have to flip each CD after you burn the audio to "burn" the label.

I just took on a CD project for my Synagogue. I did the recording and am in the middle of duplicating. I just got a bunch of those sticky labels, found a PDF template, made a label in Publisher and use my HP PSC 1610 to print them out. I then fire up the laptop and burn copies while I watch movies/TV/etc... Not too effecient, but it's better than having the Synagogue spend money they don't have on "professional" duplication!

 

[mrface2112]

Well, I just don't want to have to worry about the ink smearing if wet.

i've got an $80 epson inkjet which does a STUNNING job. then i hit the tops of the cds with a thin coat of Testor's Clear Coat. Let it dry and it's not sticky at all--even when left in a vehicle in the middle of a VA summer, and i've had no ill effects on any cd players--even the "suck it in" kind in my truck. The clear coat seems to stave off any smearing problems as well as provide protection against minor "spills" on the cds......and provides a professional looking shiny finish.

i've thought about getting one of those "wax toppers" to finish off the cds instead, but they're NOT cheap.

we have a thermal printer here at work and it also does very nice job. the problem with it is the cost per cd. the ribbons wear out quickly, and they're $150 or so to replace. the robotic feeding arm has died twice on it, though, and now the company (and vendor) are out of business......


cheers,
wade

 

[mrface2112]

I just got a bunch of those sticky labels

i used to use Neato and Stomper labels on my cds......but after 5 years or so, the glue starts to break down and the labels begin to wrinkle. this renders the cd unplayable b/c it's no longer balanced.

and trying to remove the deformed label pulls off the top "skin" of the cdr.....which also destroys the disc.

yes, the stomper labels can look fantastic......but never again for me....


cheers,
wade

 

[kid klash]

i've got an $80 epson inkjet which does a STUNNING job.

Me too - the Epson R200. Nothing but great results on TY inkjet-printable CDRs.

 

[mrface2112]

Me too - the Epson R200. Nothing but great results on TY inkjet-printable CDRs.

that's the one! the Sam's Club special.

the depressing thing is that a full complement of refill ink is $60......almost makes the printer a disposable.


FWIW, i use the Verbatim inkjet-printable cdrs (not sure from whom they OEM them--it seems to change regularly) and get great results.

I also get excellent results on Kodak glossy photo paper--got a 1 month old....been printing LOTS of pictures.


cheers,
wade

 

[dwillis45]

In addition to eating ink and not being waterproof, the Epson 200/300 series cds are easily scratched. I've been testing the sample cds at Stapes and it just takes a quick fingernail and their history. One of these days the lamination/coater systems for cds will drop in price. Right now they appear to be in the 3k plus range. Some people have had good results with hand sraying using fixative, although that sounds like a mess unless you have some type of spray booth.

 

[Farview]

the depressing thing is that a full complement of refill ink is $60
wade

If you go to www.supermediastore.com you can get the ink for less than $40. I can do almost 250 CD with a full color picture across the entire CD on 1 set of ink. I use taiyo yuden CDs.

 

[mrface2112]

In addition to eating ink and not being waterproof, the Epson 200/300 series cds are easily scratched.

i would think this goes for any inkjet cd that's been printed at home......

Some people have had good results with hand sraying using fixative, although that sounds like a mess unless you have some type of spray booth.

that's what i've been talking about--i've an old 100 cd spindle that has a little spacer at the bottom, and i put the cd on that. i take it outside and hit it with 1 quick coat (spraying across and past the edges of course) of Testor's Gloss Coat, and not only is the mess minimal, but it *really* improves the durability of the printjob.

without the glosscoat, printing on the cd is almost a "why bother".


oh, and thanks for ink link Jason--i'll check em out next time i need ink!


cheers,
wade

 

[jbroad572]

So there are no good commerical printers around the $1500 mark that wil do multiple cd's? As good as a inkjet $80 printer with good results sound. Considering the purpose of printing out several cd's at a time, I think a multiple cd printer would be better.