Epson Stylus Photo 900 and Memorex 4x Inkjet Printable DVD-R

[kuroyume0161]

Before embarking on a long process of trial and error, it'd be great to have feedback from anyone using this printer and software (Epson Print CD) with this media. What I'll be doing is using Adobe Photoshop CS to create the image and importing that into EPSON Print CD to do the actual print.

My first concern is the printing already on the printable DVD-R at the center ring region. These prints, until volume requires use of a DVD Duplication service, will be professional sellable DVD Videos. This stuff at the center ring ("PRINT DVD-R 4.7GB 4X" and "Memorex") seems very unprofessional and cannot be seen prior to purchase (nor is it indicated on the packaging). Is it possible or recommended to print OVER this default print? Does it matter?

Secondly, has anyone a good template for Photoshop (600 dpi) for this media? If not, I will make mine available on request when ready.

Any links or other information about DVD inkjet printing using this printer and media would be appreciated as this will be my first venture into this.

As an aside: Not only does the Epson SP900 have CD/DVD printing capabilities, but using Photo Paper and Borderless print, one can print full sized DVD Case Inserts of professional quality (600 dpi in my case). Most Glossy Photo Paper is heavy weight (my Premium is 68lb), but amazingly the A4 Glossy Photo Paper is only 38lb. which may be better for this use. I will add a post to this once the paper arrives this week.

What we need here is a section on full DVD Video production, since this is what I'm currently working on: filming, editing, titling, design, printing, packaging. It is a cumbersome process for an individual to undertake and more information, tips, and caveats would move it along.

Kuroyume0161

[darkburst]

As an aside: Not only does the Epson SP900 have CD/DVD printing capabilities, but using Photo Paper and Borderless print, one can print full sized DVD Case Inserts of professional quality (600 dpi in my case). Most Glossy Photo Paper is heavy weight (my Premium is 68lb), but amazingly the A4 Glossy Photo Paper is only 38lb. which may be better for this use. I will add a post to this once the paper arrives this week.

Kuroyume0161

Have you actually printed the inserts at the borderless setting? This printer (maybe all Epsons) increases the size of the image when printing with the borderless setting. The only way I've been able to get inserts to work is to use the "minimize margins" settings. Let me know your secret.

I really liked the lighter weight Photo paper but can't find it anymore. I'm using Kodak Picture Paper now. It's 7 mil and you can print on both sides.

[jaxxboss]

My first concern is the printing already on the printable DVD-R at the center ring region. These prints, until volume requires use of a DVD Duplication service, will be professional sellable DVD Videos. This stuff at the center ring ("PRINT DVD-R 4.7GB 4X" and "Memorex") seems very unprofessional and cannot be seen prior to purchase (nor is it indicated on the packaging). Is it possible or recommended to print OVER this default print? Does it matter? kuroyume0161

You can always scratch it off with a sharp edged knife or any impliment.
And of course you cannot print over this as it is not on the printable area.
The rest of ur post is too long and became goblity goop after awhile.

[kuroyume0161]

Have you actually printed the inserts at the borderless setting? This printer (maybe all Epsons) increases the size of the image when printing with the borderless setting. The only way I've been able to get inserts to work is to use the "minimize margins" settings. Let me know your secret.

I really liked the lighter weight Photo paper but can't find it anymore. I'm using Kodak Picture Paper now. It's 7 mil and you can print on both sides.

Oh, yes. Took a while of trial and error, but it can be done. You are correct, the image is resized no matter what you do. So, you must scale the print size when printing from Photoshop. The 'magic' number is 97.5% (as someone else has verified before me) for print size and it will print properly scaled, no margin clipping.

This is why I went for the Epson A4 Photo paper, but the Kodak paper sounds better than the 10 mil stuff.

Kuroyume

[kuroyume0161]

You can always scratch it off with a sharp edged knife or any impliment.
And of course you cannot print over this as it is not on the printable area.
The rest of ur post is too long and became goblity goop after awhile.

I did say "professional sellable". I may be printing 100s of these to be SOLD. How professional would they look with scrape marks?

And, of course, you CAN print over this as it is in the printable area. Epson Print CD allows changing the ring margins (down to 20mm - just perfect for these). The Memorex Inkjet Printable DVD-Rs have printable area of 20mm ID - 118mm OD as measured.

As for the gobbledy goop, I thought it a nice side note since very few people mention that DVD case inserts can be done properly on Photo paper. Those pre-perforated inserts, well, suck (matte, perforations at the folds - when there should be none). Printing DVD case inserts is a pain since the insert size is 7.16" x 10.7" (182mm x 272mm) - just beyond most printers' margins in length for 8.5" x 11" Photo paper. The only solution is to find A4 Photo paper (very, very, very difficult). It is available in Europe almost exclusively and hard to find online or in stock online. The other solution is borderless photo printing if you have a printer with that capability. But there are caveats - see my previous post for avoiding them with the Epson SP900.

And, really, this site and forum are for CD/DVD Everything!! Why would full DVD Video process (from start to finish) be 'gobbledy gook'?

Kuroyume0161

[civic]

For your Epson 900 Photoshop template, try the following link which was posted several months ago:
http://www.ryangreene.net/covers/900template.zip
This has been tremendously helpful to me, since it allows you to print directly from Photoshop and totally bypass Epson's Print CD software. You can make new masks (for various inner ring sizes) and scoot them around slightly as necessary.

As for printing DVD covers, I use Kodak 8.5" x 14" glossy photo paper (I forget how thick--maybe 8 mil?). This larger paper allows me to create the art with bleed and trim marks. I let the printout dry overnight, then slice it down according to my trim marks with an office paper cutter (a ruler and razor blade would work just as well, if you've got a good cutting surface beneath).