How do you get a good color match when printing DVDs?

[sync]

I need for the disc cover insert and disc cover art to have matching color. I'm using profiled paper for the insert but I don't know how to get the disc to match.

[Skith]

trial and error? Color matching is an art, not a science (at least to those that can not afford calibration hardware). If you have a scanner, there are some software programs you can use, but accuracy will be limited (plus you have to calibrate the scanner, not just the monitor and printer).

Your printer's software driver may have manual color correction in the advanced settings. Your best bet may be matching the insert to the disc (paper is cheaper).

[sync]

Matching the paper to the disc would be cheaper. But then I would end up with both looking terrible and I want them to look good.

[Skith]

If you are willing to spend the money, you might consider a hardware color calibration unit, such as one of the following:

http://www.colorcal.com/

http://www.gretagmacbeth.com/

http://www.xritephoto.com/

These units are not cheap, software/hardware packages start at around US $300 (last I checked). They generate profiles for your hardware (printer, monitor, not sure about scanners). You might want to shoot each company an e-mail and see if the units will work with CD/DVD media.

In the long run, it may be cheaper to invest in one of these units, to save on wasted ink/paper/discs.

[sync]

I have one of those for my printer. They require printing a target that is too large for a DVD. I tried using it with the DVD but ran into problems.

I don't know of anyone that has a color matching solution that works with discs. Even the $1,000+ disc printers don't have true color matching.

[Skith]

If you want to go the manual adjustment route, I know that PhotoShop offers some settings on Ink Coverage (by adjusting curves). I don't recall the details, buy you could problably find a book at a Borders or Barn's and Noble store. That is assuming you have Adobe Photoshop. You can then save the curve's (for each ink) and apply them to any future image.

I am not sure if any other software has such a feature.

Since the media is different, It would be very hard to get a 100% match.

[sync]

I think I have to give up on getting them to match. We'll have to create new art for the disc that will be simpler to print.

[Skith]

I wish I could have been more help.

Good luck!