DVD printers

[dvdguy24]

Hi,

I've read through the topics and I see quite a few about DVD printers - however, I have a few questions. I don't use the sticky labels because they have ruined a few of my projects and I had to peel them off to save my DVDs. I'm looking for a printer that directly prints on the disk completely - not just text or a symbol - I mean full color. Recently, I saw a professionally made DVD (Not store bought) but from a private dvd author - and the disk label looked like one you would buy - it had the glossy look to it as well - do DVD printers do this? and can you only use the "Printable" DVD's with these printers. And my last question is what would be a good printer for what i've described? I saw stuff from Primera that looked pretty good - of course, I don't want to spend thousands - maybe a couple hundred.

any suggestions or help anyone could give I would appreciate it .

[aanaravs]

The Epson R200, R300 and the R320 and excellent disc printers in the US.

The Canon i865 and a few others are available in Asia, Europe and Australia.

[drjtech]

...and can you only use the "Printable" DVD's with these printers...

You can only use "Inkjet Printable" DVD's with these inkjet printers. There are plenty to choose from. You may need to try several different disks to ensure good burn quality with your writer as well as good print appearance.

-drj

[adam]

The Epson's are really cheap. I got my R200 for about $60 I think, which is less than the new ink cartridges for my old printer.

As far as the glossiness of the printout, I guess it depends on the particular brand of media, but all of the "white" inkjet printables I've seen have a matte finish. Its sort of glossy, but not like what you see on the DVD cover box art. Still, it looks just like commercially pressed DVDs to me, which I don't think are particularly glossy anyway. Some people have experimented with various coating sprays to add a glossier look but I think they look fine as is.

They also sell silver printables. In my opinion these actually look better than what is offered on commercial DVDs. Any solid color appears almost holographic and it is extremely easy to emulate those DVDs which just have the text and logos with the silver side showing through.

[dvdguy24]

thanks for the suggestions - I don't think i'd go as far as spraying my dvd's - but the printers look nice - are the primera's any good?

I already have a really nice HP printer - it just doesn't have the cd/dvd printer in it - so I sort of wanted something a little smaller - that just does cd/dvd labeling - if that's possible - I saw the cassio - but that doesn't print out in full color - it's just text - maybe i'm wrong?

since the Epsons are pretty cheap - maybe i'll just go with that...

thanks again.

[Cholerabob]

The search fonction button is your friend...Use it.....

[dvdguy24]

The search fonction button is your friend...Use it.....

yeah, god knows there are no extra topics around here that aren't needed. I had a question that I wanted a specific answer for and I got it - you bumped the topic. Was it really THAT big of a deal? you didn't have to read it - the topic title stated it all.

[Ben_NV]

I have R200 Epson printer. It does very nice printing on GC printable CD and DVD disks, but the price of the ink is high, about $11 per for 6 colors and the ink cartriges seem small; their amt of ink is not posted on cartriges. If I were more mechanical I would try the conversion of Epson printer like 740 to print on DVDs. Once you see the R200, it doesn't look too hard. I could not conceive of how it would work until I saw R200. The Epson 740's ink is much cheaper and although it only has 4 colors, it's plenty good for me.
Good luck.

[dvdguy24]

well, I bought the Epson R200 today - hope it goes ok - should be here in a few days. I got it for $77.00 - not a bad price. I just have to get the USB cable because they aren't packaged with one. That's not a big deal though. You can't always go by reviews - all computers work differently and everyone always has a different story....but thanks to everyone for their input. I always use Memorex DVD-R's - so now i'll just buy the printable ones - although they seem rare - CompUSA are the only store that has them - all of the others only have the DVD+R - I know a lot of people think Memorex sucks - but i've had nothing but success with them...I was thinking about getting Sony ones because i've had good luck with those also, but it doesn't look like they make printables....at least not DVD-R printables.

[SCDVD]

The printers that print high resolution, glossy prints on CDR or DVD media are thermal retransfer printers. The Rimage Everest is one of these. You can see it on this page of their web site.

http://www.rimage.com/products_detail_objectname_pr_Everest_II.html

TEAC just announced one that is on this page of their web site.

http://www.teac.com/DSPD/P55.html

These printers print stunningly vivid printed discs. You print on standard media, not inkjet printable. The problem is that these printers are VERY expensive.

[losferwords]

I would go with the Epson R200, I have had it now for a couple of months and it hasn't skipped a beat for me. I got mine from www.amazon.co.uk for £82 and free delivery. So far I think I have used only two different types of DVD printable media but no issues at all. There is no running or smudging and it all looks pretty good to me. for replacement ink cartridges (non Epson) i have got the ones from this site www.svp.co.uk, although I suspect you have more suppliers in the states.

[dvdguy24]

I did get the Epson - now i'm deciding on whether or not to get the Verbatum Hub printables or the the NON hub printables. I guess that's just a matter of personal choice - but does the software have templates where you can design on and off the hub? I'm sure it does - but i'm very new at printing directly on DVD's - so any info is great.

[Pudah]

- but does the software have templates where you can design on and off the hub? I'm sure it does -

Don't be. Epson PrintCD software does enable you to set the inside and outside diameter of the print area. But it does not provide templates for various printable media. At least not that I've found. You'll need a ruler to measure the printable area on your media and enter those dimensions (in mm) in the software. Many people create their own templates (mine for PSP here) in their graphics editor, make their label artwork, and then import that artwork into PrintCD. I usually just cut and paste the image into PrintCD.

[Bodyslide]

I use Surething Label Deluxe and it comes with Templates for the 200. Both Full face and normal DVDs are included.

[OldeMan]

R200 users,
I already have a CD/DVD case insert and label print setup in my movie data base program. All I have to do is select a movie from a displayed list and select a button to print insert or label.

I am not interested in a full background color print on the DVD/CD face.

So if I can center my current label output over the Cd/DVD hole, can I use the the R200 to print my labels without using the R200's "printcd" program?

Basically, just locating the center of the output at some point in an imaginary 8.5 x 11 sheet. I don't go near the edge or hub with my simple current design.

I want to use the R200 for label printing only. It is not a problem having a different printer for each task. I really don't want to have to cut and paste into "printcd", every time I do this.


Thanks..

[Pudah]

I suppose it depends upon how flexible the program you are printing from is. I tried printing directly to the R200 from within PSP 7, but could not adjust the margins small enough to make it line up on the disc. PSP 7 won't let me set a 0" margin. I would certainly rather do it from there, but I don't find it to be an enormous inconvenience to open PrintCD. But if your software will let you infinitely adjust print margins, you should probably be able to print from it and get the image to line up correctly on the disc.

[dvdguy24]

hmm...this should be interesting when I start to experiment with the printer. I have two different label software applications installed on my computer - I guess those will work - I'll find out.

I just wish I knew before I started so I don't ruin any of my dvd's.

[dvdguy24]

I use Surething Label Deluxe and it comes with Templates for the 200. Both Full face and normal DVDs are included.

that sounds good - what package? I see there are a few of them available....I may just purchase that.

[beartums]

Oldeman,

the r200 and r300 print the CD/DVD an an A4 sheet of paper with the center of the disc at 75mm (horiz) and 67.5mm (vertical). I use photoshop and Surething and PrintCD. I prefer printing from photoshop, since I can do whatever modifications that need to be done and print directly. It's also easier to set up the printing based on the sixe of the hub (Surething templates always leave a large white area in the middle or overprint the hub by quite a bit ). Check out this document for more info:
http://www.epsondevelopers.com/documents/CDDVDTemplate.pdf

good luck.

[Bodyslide]

I have the Deluxe Version, picked it up a few months back on Clearance at Best Buy. I have had no issues with using Surething, the images are dead on center every DVD.

[rcampbell25]

About how long does it take to Burn images on to the DVDs with the epson r200?

[dvdguy24]

I have the Deluxe Version, picked it up a few months back on Clearance at Best Buy. I have had no issues with using Surething, the images are dead on center every DVD.

I downloaded the free trial - and I love it! I'll probably buy it! so after designing, the Epson will print and it will look good? well...as far as you've seen right?

Thanks!

[drjtech]

About how long does it take to Burn images on to the DVDs with the epson r200?

Burn?????????

It takes less than two minutes to print a full coverage label using the default CD/DVD settings.

-drj