Inkjet -vs- Thermal

[Nator]

I have a printer (Epson R280) and I use that for printing on printable media (CD/DVD/BR). So seeing that thermal is available, I was wondering, what exactly are the differences? I mean in a not-too-technical-but-not-generic-neither sense, if that in itself makes any sense.

For example, I know that inkjet requires more time to dry but has better resolution (at least that's what I've read). Thermal is cheaper in the long run but lower quality.

Here's one thing that I'm wanting to know. Can inkjet be used to print (reliably) on thermal discs? I know that if you get technical, it *can* be done, but would it be worth it or a complete waste of time? My guess is that the surface is going to be of a different texture, but in what way? Like would the ink from the inkjet bead up and take several days or longer to dry and still smudge off easily or what? That's what I'm looking to know.

[turk690]

can you be specific about a thermal printer brand and model?

[johns0]

http://club.myce.com/f34/white-thermal-vs-white-inkjet-187569/

[TreeTops]

And to add...the good disk thermal printers cost $4000.00 on up.

[Nator]

can you be specific about a thermal printer brand and model?

And to add...the good disk thermal printers cost $4000.00 on up.

I'm not wondering with the intent to buy a printer. I'm wondering with the idea of using using Thermal printable media in an inkjet printer. However with the link provided below, it's stated that it can't be done. Not sure if they said that it can't be done from deduction or experience though. Nothing is described about what happens when it's tried.

http://club.myce.com/f34/white-thermal-vs-white-inkjet-187569/

Thanks. Although it seemed like a slight babbling without giving much information. Would be nice to know what happens when trying to use inkjet printing on a thermal printable disc and vice-versa.

[jman98]

I am hardly an expert, having only owned inkjet printers, but my understanding is that thermal printers are really just intended for printing text and nothing else to the discs. At least that's how the cheap thermal printers worked that I knew about in the past.

I would NOT try to print from an inkjet printer to a thermal disc. I don't think the ink would set on such discs and as soon as you touched them, your hands would be covered in ink, but it's not like the printer will blow up or the media will be destroyed or anything like that.