Printing direct to disk

[the wordsmith]

After successfully modding the Canon Pixma ip3000, I was thrilled with the results obtained, once I realised that you had to darken the image substantially to get good strong colour on the white disc surface. However the Canon software does not permit you to bring the image in close to the spindle hole (25 mm on the disks that I use). This results in a large white border and a substantial loss of the central artwork when using imported graphics (which I usually grab from the internet).

Having recently gotten a new Lightscribe drive, and some sale priced Memorex disks to use with it, I found that the HP software was buggy, so I did a search for something else to use. Well, what I stumbled across was one of the industry's best kept secrets - Acoustica 3.03 label maker. And, bonus, it supports the Canon printer tray, so I can now use it for my regular direct disk printing, as well as my limited use of Lightscribe disks.

In fact, this software supports just about every printer out there as well as all the different brands of labels (if you are brave enough to use labels). It allows you to bring the center hole down to zip if you want to, and comes with an abundance of great artwork for Lightscribe as well as plain label use. I found it intuitive to use (right click with the mouse to explore some hidden options, like image darkening). And guess what? It is only 22 bucks to buy. What a bargain for such a great piece of software. Furthermore their seven day demo version is NOT a limited application, it is fully useable in every respect.

I hope this is helpful to those who like to produce professional looking DVDs.

[jimmalenko]

Is the Canon app you were using called CD LabelPrint ? If so, you need to make a custom paper size to be able to set the inner circle to lower values. It's great for hub printables.

[the wordsmith]

The software IS "CD label print", BUT you cannot choose a custom paper size for direct print to a disk using the B tray. A disk is a disk is a disk (I believe) The smallest hole size permitted is 33 mm, and I need 25 mm. I still endorse Acoustica for the low price and flexibility, but if you have any other suggestions, I'm ready to listen.

[xxiangg]

Yes, you can. <File> => <Paper Select> ==> <NEW>

[the wordsmith]

I guess I owe everyone an apology. I still do not know why Canon has to make it so complicated. If you are selecting tray B at the outset, why not let the spindle/hub size be reduced through the "circle size" feature? It would never have occured to me to go to a custom paper size option for printing on a disk. Oh well, you live and learn.

Thanks guys (I still like Acoustica for the Lightscribe features however)

Dopey

[RabidDog]

I have a CANon ip3000 and, yes, its pretty good at printing disks .. however I'm surprised its still on sale as I thought they had brought out new (better?) models .. more ink tanks and such like.

[jimmalenko]

I guess I owe everyone an apology. I still do not know why Canon has to make it so complicated. If you are selecting tray B at the outset, why not let the spindle/hub size be reduced through the "circle size" feature? It would never have occured to me to go to a custom paper size option for printing on a disk. Oh well, you live and learn.

I remember when I thought the same thing - that only 33mm was available - until I though "surely there must be a way to do this. What about hub printables ?" and then I figured out how to create a new template. I agree that it is complicated and that you shouldn't have to jump through so many hoops for something which appears to be so trivial.

[p_l]

On the other hand, the advantage of having it that way is that you do create a template that you can save. That way you reuse it as your default template every time you open the program or summon it up already made from the template menu. You don't have to readjust your inner and outer diameters manually each time.

[fscrocco]

I have had cd-labelPrint for about 2 years, version 1.0.2. Its very simple. From the opening page, there is a tab on the right that says Adjust Circle Size. Click on it and a box opens that lets you save inner and outer dimensions. I am attaching 2 pictures, hope it works.

[the wordsmith]

I have a CANon ip3000 and, yes, its pretty good at printing disks .. however I'm surprised its still on sale as I thought they had brought out new (better?) models .. more ink tanks and such like.

This unit was sold in the UK with the disc printing capability included, but not in North America due to Epson patents or some such thing. However the mod was widely distributed on the Internet. I have had mine for some time and have no need to upgrade. The only reason this subject came up was because I got a new CPU with an HP lightscribe optical disc drive. Hence I was searching for new LS software and stumbled on the Acoustica 3.03. I would still add that although the hints I got here are helpful, the new software has many additional free downloads of image templates that are a bonus.

Also the individual who says that the circle can be changed from the main menu should try dropping the hub size to 25mm - can't be done. So you DO have to go to custom paper edit menus. Again my thanks to the two guys who solved this problem for me so patiently. Aren't these forums great? Everybody helps each other, and no-one loses their cool with old farts like me.