Do Labels Prevent DVD-Rs from being read properly?

[relserc]

I read somewhere that putting a label on a DVD-R can cause the disc to be unreadable in some players. Has anyone ever heard of this? What about writing on them with a marker.

I've never had any problem with either on a CD-R or RW

Sounds a little fishy to me, but I thought I'd ask if anyone has had a problem. I just bought a Pioneer A03 and don't want to coaster a disc by putting a label on it.

[daren b]

no ive never had a problem with labels on a dvdr they all work and read ok

[TPW]

As long as you don't use glue to apply normal paper it will work (trust me a friend has done it and it ruined his cd)

[relserc]

It sounded kind of far fetched to me as well, but burning DVD's is new to me. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for the info guys.

[vitualis]

Assuming that the label is placed symmetrically, that the adhesive doesn't ruin the disc (this should no longer be a problem), and your player didn't have difficulties reading the disc to begin with, a label should have no effect on playback.

However, if you search the forums, some people have had problems after putting labels on CD-R/W media on VCDs with DVD playback. In those cases, the DVD player probably already had difficulty reading the media and the label simply unmasked this.

Regards.

[relight]

well i print labels on a laser b+w printer, using just regular paper. i design them in pagemaker/photoshop.

then i cut them out and use a "uhu-stic" regular glue stick to paste them onto the cd. i apply the layer of glue thin but enough to stick well, and make sure there's no blobs, very carefully apply it.

i've never had a problem yet, and i really hope i don't have a problem now that you are mentioning there can be problems!

i don't think i should have to shell out cash to buy premade labels to print on, software for it, etc... when i can make my own very simply.

[vitualis]

I don't have any evidence to back me up, but my opinion would be that I'd be VERY cautious doing this...

I don't know what's in a UHU glue stick, but I'd bet that there would be some sort of volatile organic solvent in it. There is a risk that over time, this may degrade the laquer on the surface of your CD-R discs --> data corruption.

There was an issue with one brand of commercial CD labels many years back now that had the same problem with its adhesive.

You're a brave man...

Regards.

[relight]

thanks for the advice vitualis!

btw, the glue stick says on it "non toxic, washable, acid free"

[snowmoon]

Also a home brew lable like this is going to have problems with weight distribution. Without one of those applicators the disk may be uneven and therefore the player will be unable to track the disk.

The organic solvent problem would be worse on the cheaper disks without the layer of laquer to protect them.

Wish I could justify an A03 or the other one out now.