Printing DVD Covers

[mccoady]

I guess I kind of need some help, I'm just not that computer literate or know that much about using different settings on printers, or using templates, but I still like to play like everyone else. I bought some A4 photo gloss dvd case inserts from Meritline (8.25x 11.7) and I'm using A HP 2170 printer. I downloaded EZ Label Xpress Lite from Meritline and have also tried UnderCoverXP, but both with mixed results. The EZ label does a pretty good job but it cuts a little off the top edge of the dvd scan, more noticable with text than if a picture, but still irritating. UnderCoverXP doesn't cut any off the top edge, but rather doesn't start printing from the beginning of right edge (about 1/8'' in) therefor it ends up cutting off a little of the left edge of the dvd scan, if this makes any sense. When using both these programs I've made sure paper was set to A4.

Is anyone familar with these two programs that could explain how I could get better results, or is it not possible to print scans that don't cut something off? I would also be open to using other programs but they would have to be easy to use like EZ Label and UnderCoverXP or I would have to have very detailed instructions.
Thanks!

Mike

[edlav]

Are these the labels you bought? http://www.meritline.com/merdvdcasinp.html These are what I use with SureThing Labeler and they work great. This is a post I wrote on another post about them. I use SureThing Deluxe version 3.12 and have no trouble. Select CD case inserts - Neato DVD case insert(A4). Add your picture(DVD label) - right click on it - select object properties - uncheck maintain aspect ratio - put 10.75in in width and 7.14 in height. Then drag it into the template and print selecting Photo Glossy Film in Type and Landscape.

[mccoady]

Edlav I downloaded SureThing to try out and I'm trying to follow your instructions, but have some questions:

1. I don't see anywhere to select "Photo Glossy Film" in Type and Landscape unless your're referring to a setting in your printer (mine doesn't have). Also should your printer be set to Portait or Landscape?

2. Do you have go through changing the settings width, height, etc. everytime you make a cover? This would seem like alot of steps to go through everytime when all my covers would be the same.

3. Why do you select Neato Case Insert (A4) instead of Meritline since these are the ones I'm using (yes the link to Meritline labels are the ones I'm using)?

[edlav]

1. In SureThing under Actions - Print Design - Options the properties for your printer will come up. You want to chose a photo setting for the paper type to get the right amount of ink flow. I also select A4in size and Landscape in orientation. Another thing I do is set my printer in default to preview before printing.
2. After you set up the first picture. Right click the picture and object properties then change picture. The next picture will be at the same setting. Also the print settings will stay the same until you close the program.
3. Meritline is a store not a label company like Neato. They do not have a template in SureThing. The Neato template works perfectly with these labels. I have printed over 300 with great results.

[jetfan]

someone ran a similar post recently and somebody suggested just
setting your output size at 274 x 183 mm on standard A4 paper
(8.5 x 11) I used to use Surething's program but after many printer
adjustments, still had troubles. I now use Microsofts Digital Image
and just set my print size and haven't had any problems since!

[jetfan]

When I said standard paper, I meant the size only, I used Epsons
Photo Quality Ink Jet paper only and have had excellent results, I
have an Epson printer and the only setting that I change is the
layout setting, I have by default, the printable area set to maximum.

Also, just about any photo program may allow to set the output
size at custom.

[mccoady]

Boy Jetfan I wish I understood better what you were talking about, is Microsofts Digital Image built into XP? it sure sounds like it might be easier to use than having to remember to change the settings everytime you use SureThing. I guess I don't see where you would set output size to 274 x 183mm, only to set to A4 paper.

[jetfan]

Digital image pro is a stand alone photo editing program, it's
basically picture it with a few bells and whistles.I think CompUSA
has it on sale this week for $30.00, but any photo program should
allow you to set the output size. I used Surething exclsively to I
discovered this new option. I do not use any other photo programs
so I can't tell you for sure if they have this setting.

[mccoady]

Well I tried using SureThing following edlav's instructions and it still came out the wrong size, I'm just not sure why it should be so difficult to do this. I guess I may be back to using EZ Label express which cuts a little off of the top.

[dead_indian_walking]

What is the best dpi to use on these

[edlav]

What printer are you using? The labels load with the smaller margin( there are arrows) down. I use an Epson and when I print on 4 X 6 photo paper I set the page layout to reduce/enlarge document to my paper size. I do not have to do this printing labels. Sorry I could not help.

[fragile1]

What is the best dpi to use on these

standard print resolution is 305 dpi

....although most people just say 300

[mccoady]

I'm using an HP printer as stated above. I downloaded a program called Acoustica Cd Label Maker that may be going to work for me, although it would have been nice to find a free one that worked.

I would like to know, do different brands of the A4 perforated dvd inserts all measure the same as far as printable area? The meritline I'm using measures 7 1/8" x 10 3/4" and it seems it could be a hair larger to fit a standard dvd case, is this just normal?

[Mawdryn]

I've used those MeritLine glossy inserts, and I've had trouble getting the ink to dry. Whenever I inserted them into the DVD cases, the insert would stick to the clear plastic, giving a weird blotchy "wet" looking appearance. I would let them dry for a few days before inserting them into the DVD cases, but they would still stick. I even tried letting them dry for weeks with the same results. I live in Arizona so humidity is not a problem.

Maybe it's just my old Epson Stylus Photo 700 printer. The things look beautiful but never completely dry. Glossy labels, photos, etc. come out of the printer already dry. I have switched to MeritLine's matte finish inserts. The print quality is not quite as good, but still excellent. They do not have the problem of sticking to the clear plastic. I'd like to use the glossy ones again if I could solve the drying problem. I have not seen any glossy inserts made by any other company.

For software, I mainly use SureThing, which does have a MeritLine insert selection. Sometimes I use MediaFace. It doesn't have the MeritLine option but I just choose another and it works fine. Both programs work well for me.

[edlav]

I use SureThing 4.0.0.45 and while there is a Meritline for DVD labels there is not one for DVD cases. As for the not drying, my other printer was an Epson 785 and I had the same problem. The best I could do was select Photo Quality Glossy Film as per Meritline but it was still sticky. I was going to try putting powder on the label but I bought the Epson 900 for printing DVDs and have not had any problems since. As far as the labels being a little small. When I got the cases from Meritline they were that way but since I have been buying them at the computer show( $14 per 100) they have fit tight. So all cases are not equal.

[edlav]

I updated my SureThing and the new version does have a Meritline template. When I toggle back and forth between the I noticed that the Meritline seems a little smaller. Since the Neato works well for me I think that I will stick with that one. Thanks

[Denvers Dawgs]

CoverXP is an excellent dvd cover program

[Matryx]

I got just order some DVD inserts from Effectuality
https://www.effectuality.com/store/item.php/name/2_Panel_DVD_Case_Insert/product/view/...id/8/store/cdn

I got these DVD cases from here
http://www.cwo.ca/cddvdmedia.php
100 DVD Cases
Regular Size (14mm)
Single

I was wondering if my DVD inserts would fit these cases and how to print these and with what program. I already have UndercoverXP, but I'm unsure how to do this. I'll try printing some of them out tonight and see how it turns out.

[ice-berg]

I have had this problem before, i set the cover to print on an A4 paper (whether on UndercoverXP, Windows printing, Adobe PS) but the picture always managed to be resized to either being smaller or bigger than a standard A4 dimension. I think it partly due to the printer i'm using a canon i250. What solved my problem was using DVD and CD cover print where i load my covers manually in pieces (i.e front, back and spine).

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I use PhotoShop and print on plain legal sized paper.
Then use a paper cutter.
Once they're behind the plastic "sleeve" that's on the case, they look nice an glossy just like a "real" cover.
Standard DVD coves are 273.05mm W X 182.5625mm H, the spine area is 14.2875mm wide.
SlimLine covers are 269mm X 182.5625mm, spine is 7mm wide.

[Matryx]

It seems like the DVD inserts I order don't fit the DVD Case. How can that be? I think I have a regular size DVD case 14mm. I bought a 2 Panel DVD Case Insert from https://www.effectuality.com/store/item.php/name/2_Panel_DVD_Case_Insert/product/view/...id/8/store/cdn.

[ultraman36]

Neato has a free program and you can download the dvd slim case if thats what your using. I got a buddy of mine to make a template in quark with crop marks and that has worked best for me

[hech54]

Use Multicoverprint and A4 paper. It will print out the exact size you need every time....no adjustments necessary.

http://www.downseek.com/download/15377.asp