Settings for Epson Stylus 900

[OHIOguy]

Hope someone out here can help me. I just got my Epson Stylus Photo 900 to print on DVDs. I bought some Ritek G04 printable DVD media. I've tried to print a cover for a backup DVD, but its coming out slightly faded looking and splotchy (almost as if the ink is just sitting on top of the disc not soaking in). I've tried cleaning the print heads, and adjusting the Print Color Correction meter but to no avail. Can anyone give me a step by step of the settings they use to print the great DVDs I've seen posted out there. Thanks so much for any of your help.

[A4]

I print on Ritek G03 and Accu, I dont have G04 to test, but this is the setting:

Go to the Advance tab -->
1) Change to 'Epson vivid color' (i forget what ffiled though, dont have printer with me here)
2) Change the paper type to: 'plain paper' instead of CD/DVD

Hope it help.

-A4

[OHIOguy]

Did you mean "Best Photo" setting instead of "vivid". Its where there are the choices of draft, text, text and image, photo, and best photo. I think this is where you are refering to. What do you have the Print Color Correction setting set on? I've tried 0, +1, +2, and +3. Thanks for the assistance.

[elfdez]

I use Matte paper heavyweight or Photo quality inkjet paper as media and settings: text and image I have done hundreds with excelent results.
To preserve them I spray the discs with Spruce Lacquer spray paint gloss clear, that gives them a glossy finish ( $3 to $4 for a 12 oz can) makink sure you place the discs on a completely flat surface to avoid spraying the reading side.

[OHIOguy]

Ok, I just tried the setting as Matte Paper Heavyweight, and text and image selection. The result looks like I did it with a paint sprayer, lol. It is bleeding all over. Any idea what the hell the reason is for this? Also, does printing on a disc, then wiping off the ink and printing on it again effect anything that you know of, as far as the printing goes? I tried it that way and with a new disc. It just sucks that I have to waste a new disc with every print job and they are all turning out like crap. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for the help so far.

[OHIOguy]

Also tried it with the paper setting on Photo Quality Inkjet paper and the same result, paint sprayer effect. Could I possible have a bad printer?

[Bob W]

Sounds to me like you may just have the wrong media. Maybe you bought "printable" media and not "Ink-jet printable" media, there is a difference. Anyway I have been using Princo 4x injet printable media on my Epson 900 with whatever the default settings are and it looks fine to me, just a tad on the light side but no ink smear or running at all. The media I have has a white paper looking top.

[OHIOguy]

I think you might be right as far as the media is concerned. I didn't know exactly what to expect as far as the media went but looking at the discs now they are not white and appear almost glossy, which explains the ink running. I ordered them through Meritline so now I have to try to get the correct ones sent to me. I've heard bad things about Meritline but figured I'd give it a try. Do you know of any retail stores in the US that sell the inkjet printable DVDs? THanks for all your help.

[elfdez]

I have ordered from Shop 4 Tech and Rima different brands, also try to changing the density settings, and make sure to get inkjet printable NOT Thermal printable if that doesn,t work contact Epson for a replacement printer, (it should still be under warranty, its a new model)

[iooi]

(it should still be under warranty, its a new model)

While it may be under warranty, the 900 isnt a new model in fact it is disscontinued and has been replaced by the 950 or is it 960...(cant keep up with them).
THis is shown by the fact i paid £175 3 months ago which was a reduction of £50 from the previous price they can now be had for £75....
Almost worth going and buying another 2...

[ephesus]

I think you might be right as far as the media is concerned. I didn't know exactly what to expect as far as the media went but looking at the discs now they are not white and appear almost glossy, which explains the ink running. I ordered them through Meritline so now I have to try to get the correct ones sent to me. I've heard bad things about Meritline but figured I'd give it a try. Do you know of any retail stores in the US that sell the inkjet printable DVDs? THanks for all your help.

Yea, you definitely got the wrong media. All Inkjet printable media I have used has a white top. Meritline probably screwed up as they always do. Meritline really sucks ass. I'm still waiting (3 days now) for an RMA # to return the non full-faced BeAll's they sent me.

[TomVeil]

When I got my 900 there were a couple memorex printable cdr's included. I noticed they turned out the best. If you received a couple give them a try.

[SLK001]

The top of ink jet printable media has a flat white finish - definitely not glossy. If your ink is just sitting on the top, then you don't have IJ printable media.

[overloaded_ide]

When you want to test disk printing I find it helps to have CD printables on hand!

I'm new to disk printing and built villages lexmark mod. But it doesn't matter the printer, if you want to try something new, practice on a 30cent disk instead of a $1.30

I got 25 ritek printable 4x disks and 100 CD silver top printables for about the same price! And if I ruin a printable CD I can always slap a Neato label over it

Next order I'll get plain white CD printables to match my Riteks for testing settings. I got silver tops for now because I wanted them for audio cds, and for testing alignment of caddies and such it doesn't matter.

[edlav]

I also have the 900 and bought Ritek printables from Meritline. They are white and somewhat glossy. I use the Photo setting(not Best Photo) and Photo Quality Glossy Film settings. I leave the Print Color Correction at zero. I leave them sit for a couple of days but usually the are dry in a few hours. There is no bleeding of colors. The stock number of the Meritline Ritek is 102-126