Hub Printable vs Ink Jet Printable. The difference please

[videodummy]

Could someone please answer this question for me?

I purchase media from meritline.com. On their printable DVD media section, they have some labled as thermal hub printable, and some as Ink Jet Printable, then some as Ink Jet hub pringtable.

I have just purchased a new ink jet printer: Epson Stylus Photo Pro 200.

What media would be compatible with that ink? Would all printable DVD media be compatible?

Thanks guys and gals,

[adam]

Anything thermal is for thermal printers and won't work on an inkjet like you have.

Hub printable means you can print all the way to the center hole. Regular inkjet printables only print to the inner hub. Either will work on your printer, its just a matter of preference.

[BSpielbauer]

On their printable DVD media section, they have some labled as thermal hub printable, and some as Ink Jet Printable, then some as Ink Jet hub pringtable.

The above answer is 100% correct, just thought I would elaborate a bit...

You do NOT want any of the discs that mention "thermal." These are only for a thermal printer, which is not what your is.

You only want the types that say "inkjet printable."

Then, you have two choices:
-"regular" Inkjet Printable discs -- will not allow you to print all of the way to the center hole. They have an inner "hub" area that will not accept the ink. Look at your own commerical DVD collection, and you will note that there are some store-bought DVDs that have a printed image that extends almost all of the way to that center hole, but there are also quite a few that leave that inner area is blank silver, or as clear, or as a solid color, such as black. Your blank discs will be similar to this second type of DVD.

-hub printable Inkjet Printable discs -- these let you print very nearly all of the way to that center hole. However, if you are scanning in an image from a commercial disc that does not do this, you may find yourself having to try to "fill that space" with some sort of graphic image, so it does not look unfinished in that area. Especially if the discs are the white topped variety. For various other reasons, though, I prefer the white topped variety, and I also like the hub printable ones, even though it means a bit of extra work on some of my graphic images. The finished product (in my opinion) looks better -- but only if you are pretty clever at filling that center area, when necessary.

Silver-topped versus white-topped -- This is also a tough call. Both have fans. And, some types of media are only available in one or the other, so some people might say they have no choice, with certain brands. I do have a choice in the brand I prefer (Taiyo Yuden) but I prefer the white. I like the look of these better, as long as they are hub printable, and I do not leave any of that annoying blank white space with no graphic image. Some claim the silver looks "shinier," if you do not plan to spray some sort of final sealer on the discs. Others say the colors may not look as vivid, though, on the silver ones.

Hope this gives you some things to think about,

-Bruce