Labeling a DVD

[aubrey_q]

I've been advised to use caution (or completely bypass) using CD labels on DVDs because the balance may be altered and the disc may not spin correctly. It was also mentioned that DVDs have wider gaps and the laser may heat up the label, damage it, and the residue could affect the disc.

I just found out that they have CD/DVD printers that will print on a CD/DVD for you, but, is there a cheaper alternative?

[Tommyknocker]

I use a fine point marker. Then print a jewel case label that matches what the disk contains. The disk will not be very pretty, but the case will be, and it avoids having that puppy not work after two or three plays because the label I put on it.

Then, of course, depending on how deep your pockets are: Here

[furball6969]

http://www.staples.ca/products/catalog/skuset.asp?skusetid=14730&first=397237&SuperCategoryId=1

[aubrey_q]

Furball, can you give me a sample Canadian postal code so I can get to the link you provided?

[chaseru]

The Casio CW-50 works great for DVD-Rs and CD-Rs. It is a thermal printer and it has worked on a variety of media for me.

Much better than scribbling on a DVD with a marker or slapping a sticky label on it.

They can be bought for about a little over $100.

I've owned high end lablers like the Inscripta Thermal Printer, which goes for >$1000 used. The Casio can't do high volume runs and can only print half a disc at a time, but for personal use it is great.

[Lula1]

Hi chaseru,

You can find it on the net for $89,99 .

I only know inkjet printers . I thought that "DVD-R printable" would be directed to these kinds of printers (inkjet).

Can you tell me how the thermal printers work ; if there is special DVD-R printable media for thermal printers and the kind of carridges for the Casio, since I have read about "ribbon" and "cartridges" for it.

You said : " ... can only print half a disc at a time ... " . Could you explain that point ?

Thank's a lot.

[chaseru]

Here is a link about the Casio CW-50

http://www.casio.com/labelprinters/product.cfm?section=0&market=0&product=4328

You don't need any special discs to use the Casio thermal printer. It transfers a layer of colored film from a ribbon to the disc.

I've used it to print on unbranded DVD-Rs and CD-Rs. I've also used it on DVD-Rs that have an ink jet printable surface. It should print on most discs. They do recommend that you print before you burn as the printing process could damage existing data--I've never experienced this though.

If you want it to print info on both the top and bottom of the disc you have to take the disc out and rotate it 180 and let the printer print the other half. The printing software will print the text in the correct orientation. In other words this printer will only let you print up to a third of the disc at a time.

[furball6969]

t2p2t9

[aubrey_q]

LOL, furball, I didn't know the link was for a marker. I already have that.