Do I Label or use a Sharpie on dvd's???

[richdvd]

i think if you use the fine point sharpies, there will be no problem.

[mike_rach]

I've had no problem with Sharpies either, even on the CDR's after a couple of years.
I have been testing the label thing the past few days, I'm thinking the problems people are having is probably the media.

I rent DVD's from a local store that puts labels on the disc. They are about a 3/4" label, always applied far away from the center. That will probably throw the balance off worse than any full disc label slightly off center. I have never had a playback problem in my computer or set top player.

I have applied labels on a number of DVD+R's now, and haven't had a problem yet. I always use quality blanks - TDK +R's and Fuji +R's, 4x. I tested two thouroughly in my set top player, and two different DVD/RW drives. Scanned through on all units listed... No playback errors, and great transfer rate results.

My stuff:
Set top player: Panasonic (F-65?)
TDK 420N DVD+RW
Plextor PX-708A

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[mike_rach]

Oh yeah, one thing I have noticed is that typically cheap media has a very thin recording/reflective layer. You can see through them pretty easily holding them up to a light. More expensive branded media tends to be thicker, and I cannot see through them much at all.

I've labeled at least 30 TDK and Fuji DVD+R's with no probs at all, last two I tested with the heavy glossy labels.

[studawg66]

To whom it may concern...
I had read conflicting reports in many threads here regarding the Krylon acrylic clear coats, but decided to try one that I hadn't seen a report on. Wal-Mart was selling Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic "Satin" finish (#1313) for a good price, so I gave it a shot. Keep in mind this my first experience with spraying discs, but I am amazed at how good they look and how easy it was to apply. Maybe the Satin finish is a bit more forgiving than glossy, but I have no problems with running, orange peel, uneven coating, etc. as reported with some of the other Krylon acrylics. My only problem so far was that I was not very careful the first time and let a piece of dust land on the disc, but now I am more careful and have made several nice looking discs.

I generally make light sweeping coats until the disc surface appears almost saturated, then I stop spraying and bring the disc inside to dry in a warmer, cleaner house. Within a couple of minutes the surface is dry and will not smudge with the "rub-a-wet-finger" test. All of my discs play just fine all the way to the edge. I also find the Satin finish to look very professional.

So, no Sharpies for me. If I were cranking out hundreds of discs per month, I can understand why the Krylon spray method is not so desirable, but I make more like 10-20 discs per month and my Epson 300 combined with the Krylon Satin finish spray makes beautiful copies.

Anyone else have experience with the Krylon #1313 ??

[noki]

I

thought that only really applied to CDs. With CDs you're writing on the actual reflective layer (which might be chemical sensetive) whereas with DVDs you're writing on the polycarbonate.

been using Shapie's on CDRs back to 1998...CDRs still work fine (accessed one last week). should work just as well on DVDRs.

[dxj40c]

I've (full) labeled everything with "Stomper" labels for the last two years and so far I've had no problem other than a little yellowing on one batch I bought. Nothing has bubbled or come undone-so far.

Prior to "Stomper", I used a label (can't remember the brand) that had a foil backing (to block out disk logos I guess) that caused the CDs (I wasn't doing DVD then) to be out of balance and would almost make the cpu walk across the floor. sounded like a train coming.

I think the labels are like the media, if you find a good one stick with it even if it costs more.

[thor300]

Sharpie cant be that bad, and as someone pointed out, for DVD you write on the polycarbonate. That cant be dangerous! And about sharpie, last time i dropped by a store to buy one for cd and dvd marking they show me a 4-pack of special CDR pens by TDK, cost just a bit more than 2 sharpies, and its still 4 of them. Affordable and can be used to avoid stupid threads like this one. And stupid posts like this one.

[lordsmurf]

I write on the CD/DVD with a sharpie. The disc gets the least amount of viewing time. Seriously, how long must you stare at a disc?

I make cases for discs, if artwork is that important. If not, they go in the wallet. And even then, the cases only get soo much viewing time, so I only put in a small amount of effort.

A 90-minute movie is watched 90s minutes.
The case may get 1-2 minutes at most.
The get is looked at for maybe 30 second.

Be smart about it ... unless you're just a sucker for wasting time.

Full disc labels are bad. Hub labels fine. Sharpie fast and easy, flawless.

[lacywest]

okay ... I wrote on a CD-RW two years ago ... with a Sharpie.

I then a few months ago find out ... a quick shot of my cologne wipes off the writing.

Same applies to DVDs ... I make a mistake or just dont like the way I wrote the description on the DVD ... I wipe it off and rewrite it over again.

Just how can this be harmful ... ??? If it wipes off ... ???

What cologne ?? ... Classic Match ... at Wal-Mart.

If anything ... my DVDs smell good ... LOL

[Rommie]

What.. we have had Sharpies here for ages

Oh.. you are from Queensland!!

You can buy them in Woolworths (at Deception Bay... the Brisvegas guy might know where that is).

I use them and the more easily bought Artline 700.


errr... and not so much of the dumb country or dumb state comments either. pick on Tasmanians like everyone else does.