Epson R200, new cheaper disk printer?

[NightWing]

I think its a displayed by Epson. And could be just a prop. The silver underneath is strange. Need to raid the same place. They have 80gb hd for what I pay for 40gb drives.

Was thinking last night if you hit a disk with your favior fix { krylon, photo fix, hairspray } could you print on that? There was a printer a few years back that sprayed down a coat then printed on that. Just a thought. But thats another thread....

There is one problem not mention in this thread.. And that is the raising of artwork quality to do a roll your own.

[JETninja]

I clear coat mine.

What are you using these days to Clearcoat? Not tried it myself yet....I don't get them wet...but it's a good idea and may make the ink last longer color wise.....

[Poppa_Meth]

I'm currently still using Krylon Crystal Clear, Gloss only. The satin gives kind of nasty results. the gloss after a couple light coats provides good protection and an almost commercial DVD finish.

[Xtreme]

All i have to say is "WOW" to my new R200 ..... holly crap this thing prints some amazing DVD labels .... once again wow .... and definitly a good investment on my half.

[NightWing]

Any one tried to print on a PC board to etch a circuit on? Just wondering.

[jaxxboss]

I've seen a non printable disc printed with the R200. You can easily tell. the ink pools and never dries. what you saw was probably a silver printable. and the ink smears VERY easily with moisture. I clear coat mine.

I had posted pics of printing onto a non printable disc. It's been well over a month, but a simple search should let u find it Im sure.

I just pulled it out and the ink is still wet!!! Too funny.

[gee69]

Had the R200 for a month and a half and then it gave me problems. The cd tray could not be aligned with the arrow and due to something barring it and when I try to force it, bad sound like crack...anyway, forced it once and it pulled it in and then ejected it back...didn't try it..

exchanged it in Fry's and no problem. That CD tray, which has a sort of hard plastic at the front end may cause future problems since it can get bent. Good thing got the extended warranty.

Just an FYI.

[gee69]

Had the R200 for a month and a half and then it gave me problems. The cd tray could not be aligned with the arrow and due to something barring it and when I try to force it, bad sound like crack...anyway, forced it once and it pulled it in and then ejected it back...didn't try it..

exchanged it in Fry's and no problem. That CD tray, which has a sort of hard plastic at the front end may cause future problems since it can get bent. Good thing got the extended warranty.

Just an FYI.

[toto31]

My biggest fears have come true!!!

I've finally received the Epson R200 yesterday and began to study the tutorial (manual) that came with it. In my previous posts, I mentioned that I had hoped that the software that came with this printer would be SIMPLE.... to comprehend.

I am simply not a bright person!....I don't comprehend a lot of things! And, how I've even accomplished whatever the hell I've accomplished with all the digital dvd iphoto slideshows, burning, etc that I've done, is beyond a miracle!!.

Persistance will surely overcome stupidity if applied correctly!

So, my question is: How do I get started with the Epson Print CD. I'd like to print a photo with some text onto a cd/dvd. If I could do that correctly, I'd be happy as a pig in mud...

Yes, I've read the Epson R200 manual that came with the printer.
All I need to see is: Do step I.....Do step 2....Do step 3 but there's no mention of that simple maneuver.

What consoles me though is that about 2 or 3 weeks from now, I'll most surely have found the solution as to how the hell to print a photo & some text on a cd/dvd with the Epson R200.

If any of your send me a most needed reply, I'd appreciate it if you used SIMPLE language so that my sluggish brain can comprehend.

Molto Granzie amici...

[Xtreme]

Sorry i dont know Print CD all that well.
But this is how i print mine with Print CD:

1) I use Adobe Photoshop to make a DVD label @ 4.7 x 4.7. I use a template that i found on the internet. Very easy to use.

2) I then save the image as .jpg

3) Close Photshop. Open Print CD

4) In Print CD i use the import feature to open the directory to where i just saved my .jpg image on my drive. Print CD will populate the image in its software, you shouldnt have to adjust the image at all.

5) just hit print on the Print CD software.

6) dont forget to put the disk in the tray and the tray in the printer first. lol

[toto31]

Unfortunately I don't use "Photoshop". I forgot to mention that I'm
using a Mac which most forum members probably don't use.

[Meritocracy]

Unfortunately I don't use "Photoshop". I forgot to mention that I'm
using a Mac which most forum members probably don't use.

The instructions given are the same regardless of platform. The templates Xtreme mentions can be used for any graphic program. If you don't USE Photoshop, replace it with the wonderful Mac application GraphicConverter. The steps involved are exactly as Xtreme has already described. Another app which can help you as an extreme novice would be Discus, which has templates built-in for all of the Epson Disc printers and has been recommended by many mac users.

[toto31]

I was just about to start printing a dvd with my newly arrived Epson R200. The Epson company sent me some helful info about how to get started printing on a dvd.

On the second page of their directions, Epson mentions 'DO NOT USE THERMAL-PRINTABLE OR REGULAR CD'S OR DVD'S IN THE PRINTER".

How about that!...

My problem is: I just ordered 50 PRODISC WHITE THERMAL HUB DVD-R dvd's which are still unopened, but staring me in my face with yet another delay facing me.

Yes, that's right, Epson's directions say that I should not use the "thermal-printable dvd's"....

I did my homework before I ordered them, and the Prodisc dvd's are COMPATIBLE with my Pioneer DVD-R- AO104 burner.

So, if they're compatible with my burner, why they heck does Epson say "dont use them?"....

The 50 disc package is yet not opened, but I'm tempted to tear it open and thrust it into the churning depths of the R200 and hope for liberation.

[bdgriff]

I'm not sure, but I would think the reason Epson warns not to use thermal discs is because it isn't a thermal printer, at least my R200 isn't!!
The r200 has nothing to do with thermal printing at all (burning images onto discs or paper) so don't know why you bought them. Usually they either have a wax like surface or the printer lays down a wax -like surface to be burned. Have you tried amazon and the 100 pack or memorexes?? Or even Ritek printables??

[toto31]

After I ordered 50 White Thermal DVD's from Prodisc, I read from my new Epson R200 which states: "DO NOT USE THERMAL-PRINTABLE OR REGULAR CD/ OR DVD'S IN THE PRINTER"....

So, before I return the DVD's, I'd like to know if any Epson R200 owners have used this thermal-printable with any problems?

[soundforbjt]

Here's a tip for all of you Epson Inkjet printer owners. To make sure you get the use of all your cartridge's ink, do a search on google for Epson SSC service utility version 3.61. It allows you to reset your cartridges, do thorough cleaning, etc. It's also free!!

Works on R200, R300, and most all models!

[martin474]

I'm wondering how many disks can be printed before refilling the ink on an R200. I've done about 8 so far and the ink monitor is at 7/8 full. Surely that slick utility will get me more mileage, but 60-70 disks on one set of tanks is a significant printing cost!

[toto31]

I've just started printing DVD's with a photo with the Epson R200.

What I would like is for the photo to cover the disk a bit more that it does. I suspect that if I used another type of media, it would do better.

Which media would allow me to do this?

Thanks..

[Kool_Aid]

The Epson software will allow you to cover as much or as little as you want.

Expand the area with the Template adjustment.

[Poppa_Meth]

Finally changed out all my print carts to the ones I got from Rima.com. If you are going to change a cart plan on changing them all unless there is quite a bit of ink left in the others. If any are close to the empty mark change them too because as soon as you put a new cart in it'll drop your ink meter on the other carts by about 1/10 of the scale. So far the new carts seem to be working fine with good quality. I just hope I installed them correctly. They didn't have instructions and vary a bit from the Epsons. there is a tab on top that you pull off, which I thought was covering an ink refill hole, but evidently you need to remove it so it can draw ink through correctly. If you leave them in place the ink does not flow. not sure what I think of that yet. Seems like that would make the ink dry out quicker.

[p_l]

I'm debating whether to get the ones from Rima.com or these: http://www.ink-refills-ink.com/printer-Epson-Stylus_Photo_R300.htm.

Poppa_Meth, so far, so good, you say? That's encouraging, and thanks for posting your procedures and results.

Anybody have experience with the second one I mention above? On the site, they have a unique notice for these carts:

Your Epson OEM photo cartridges can't be successfully refilled. When our cartridges run empty they can be refilled over and over.

Could this be because OEM carts don't have a sponge, but rather a complicated chamber and valve system, as I've read here somewhere? That might explain the little hole you mention, Poppa_Meth.

Thanks to everyone who posts their experiences!

[martin474]

Finally changed out all my print carts to the ones I got from Rima.com.

Are these compatible inks also "archival" grade? This is, do they have the same waterproofing and lightfast quality as the overpriced Epson ink?

[p_l]

There's also this deal at Supermediastore.com, an advertiser on this site. It seems to be a combo deal on six carts like this one.



Anyone tried this?

[SV_Trinity]

Does anyone have a MS PUBLISHER or ROXIO CD LABEL CREATOR template for the R200?

[AlexT]

Yes, the only way to have a "Cheapest" printer is not being ripped off
by the ink cartridges.

Try these:

http://www.InkRepublic.com
http://www.serviceit.com.au

Both of them are pretty nice with Bulk Ink system

[axolotls]

There's also this deal at Supermediastore.com, an advertiser on this site. It seems to be a combo deal on six carts like this one.



Anyone tried this?

I've gone through two rounds of those G&G's already. Not bad. No problems have arisen yet. Although I do use OEM Black with these.

[p_l]

Although I do use OEM Black with these.

Yeah? Is there a reason?

[Poppa_Meth]

the epson inks for this printer aren't waterfast or lightproof. you get them wet they run like a 5 year old that peed in the pumpkin pie.

[Cholerabob]

The bulk ink systems look interesting, anyone working with them ???

[martin474]

I guess I have been sucked in by all the Epson ink quality advertising hype. However, there are some 8x11 photos on my wall from HP78 tri-color ink which have faded remarkably in the last year and Epson prints right next to them that still look good. For printable DVDs, my concern is more about how the ink performs when my three year old wipes her apple juice off of Shrek. I'll try printing on a coaster and test various solvents.