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05/20/2009 11:26:45 AM · #1 |
I want to print custom CD's/DVD's but I don't want to use the print and stick paper labels, I want to print straight on the disc like you would get on a real movie or CD.
BTW I want to use color printing not lightscribe, or should I be using lightscribe??? |
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05/20/2009 11:31:26 AM · #2 |
| Well I dont like the labels either, The cheapest solution is to buy a epson 800, and print to prelabeled DVD's mine tune out perfect the only way you can tell the difference between the real DVD is on the burned side. but they do make some professional printers for dvds not really sure how they work but your talking 500 to $600 so the epson i picked up for around 199, HP makes one to 5500 serious but no where near the quaility FYI i sold that piece of SH |
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05/20/2009 11:32:33 AM · #3 |
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05/20/2009 11:33:17 AM · #4 |
I think you can buy printable disks that go in a special inkjet printer. I have a lightscribe burner, and it's pretty neat, but it is slow and the images are shades of monotone. I bought some colored lightscribe disks the other day to give it some variety. To burn a label in high quality mode on mine takes 13 minutes.
Is this to give disks to customers with their proof images? Lightscribe might be acceptably professional for that purpose. Especially if you work up a template that prints well. Certainly better than a sharpie marker. |
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05/20/2009 12:01:05 PM · #5 |
| I do have a lightscribe burner but I don't have the software for it, what programs do you use for LS? |
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05/20/2009 12:08:43 PM · #6 |
As  csolomon1 said, pick up an Epson printer and some inkjet printable disks. The Artisan 700 and 800 models both have a CD tray. I bought the Epson RX595 last year for $90 and I love it. |
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05/20/2009 12:12:18 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:
I do have a lightscribe burner but I don't have the software for it, what programs do you use for LS? |
Try here |
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05/20/2009 12:20:35 PM · #8 |
Most of the canon printers will print on CD/DVD's as well.
Canon has some agreement with Epson if memory serves so that they dont in the USA. BUT, if you can follow some simple directions you can change the bios setting on your printer, buy the CD/DVD holder for $20 and happily print to your hearts content with a US canon printer.
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05/20/2009 12:33:12 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:
I do have a lightscribe burner but I don't have the software for it, what programs do you use for LS? |
I like Lightscribe, and have had many clients absolutely LOVE it, but some people find the results rather underwhelming. It tends to be a love-it-or-hate-it reaction for lots of people. The best I can compare it to are the "old school" holograms from the 80's (Lightscribe isn't mean to be an actual hologram, but I find the quality similar) -- details are rather soft, and your perception of the "label" depends on the angle at which you view it, ambient lighting, etc.
You can get different colors now of the actual disks. The burned image will always be greyscale, but you can choose the background color from a handful of colors. I've stuck with the original/neutral background and haven't experimented with colors yet, as they all felt pretty "radical" to me, and didn't feel appropriate for my clients.
Anyway, if you want to play with it -- I use lightscribe.com for all my software (all free). You'll want the latest "LSS" (Lighscribe System Software) for your OS, and then for the actual label software, "Simple Labeler" and/or "Template Labeler". If you want to use the Template Labeler, you'll also want to download actual template packages -- those are available from lightscribe.com as well as other sites (just do a little googling). Most are free, some are not.
I tend to use either the Template labeler and use an interesting template/border/etc, or I use one of the basic layouts and use 2 or 4 photos over the entire CD/DVD, and add simple text. I hardly ever use only text labels -- I figure if I'm going to the trouble to burn a label, I might as well go all out and make it look nice. Once you've learned how to use the labeling software, you can crank out a label in anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. I spend more time deciding on which photos to use...
I completely agree with  Yo_Spiff -- it's a lot better than a sharpie!
Other random thoughts -- be sure to set you quality/contrast/whatever-setting-it-calls-it to "high" and/or "dark" for best results. Keep in mind it takes about 20-30 minutes to burn a full-size label at the best quality setting. I've found from time to time rather distracting lines show up (where the CD burner appears to have "jumped" a groove) when using largely black backgrounds. I always burn the label first, and data last, since from time-to-time I have to discard the CD/DVD if those lines show up.
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05/20/2009 12:42:36 PM · #10 |
I just got a LightScribe burner also, and completely agree with cdrice's comments. I use software from LaCie which came with the burner.
Like the data, the image is burned in a continuous spiral from the inside to the outside of the disk, and the more you print out towards the edge, the longer it will take. If you just wrap a line or two of text around the center with the basic info, it won't take too long to burn the image, but covering the disk entirely with text or pictures will usually make it take over 20 minutes.
I wouldn't necessarily say it's as pretty an image as color printing, but it looks "professional" and is permamnent -- it shouldn't smear or scratch.
Message edited by author 2009-05-20 16:20:45. |
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05/20/2009 01:35:16 PM · #11 |
| Thanks guys I will pick some discs up this afternoon and see if I can get it all to work. |
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05/20/2009 02:56:37 PM · #12 |
I'm not impressed with LightScribe. I have it on my PC, and it's kinda cool if I'm on vacation and I can burn a DVD of photos for someone I meet along the way, or something like that. But the end result doesn't impress me.
I have an Epson R320 (several years old) which will print directly onto DVDs. I buy Memorex printable DVDs ($9.99 for a 20 pack on sale right now at Staples).
I make custom labels in Photoshop, and export them into Epson's "PrintCD" program that came with the printer. The end result is very nice! I always dress up DVDs this way when I'm giving stuff to clients. |
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