help printing DVD cover

[moviegeek71]

I have tried Epson, Sonic, and Roxio software with an Epson 837 printer and the cover is always 5mm too narrow. It should be 185mm H x 270mm W but I can not get the wide to be correct. I've calibrated the printer with Roxio but the cover is still 5mm too short on the width. The paper is 8.5x11" Letter size. I am open to try other software or any suggestions.

[HarpMaster]

I use "Undercover XP" for printing CD and DVD covers. It's a free program with a format editor if you need to change any of the dimensions. I also print on A4 size paper.

[p_l]

The paper is 8.5x11" Letter size.

I (...) print on A4 size paper.

And there you have it. Whatever program you use (I've used a variety), the key is to use A4 paper (or perhaps legal). I prefer to buy micro perforated DVD inserts because I don't enjoy using my paper trimmer, but to each his own.

[hech54]

Another "key" is to own a printer that can do borderless printing.

[p_l]

Yup, that too.

[uchukaiju]

It's not the software you're using, it's the paper. 8.5 x 11 paper is just a tad too small for a standard DVD sleeve. Use A4 size, and your problems will be gone!

[moviegeek71]

Another "key" is to own a printer that can do borderless printing.

Thanks to everyone, I'll get the A4 paper. I didn't know about perforated DVD paper, I might get that kind but I do have a large cutter.

The Epson does offer borderless printing but I haven't tried it because I didn't know what it would do and the preview looked the same.

What kind of paper is recommended to make the cover look like the semi-gloss of a factory DVD cover? I'm not making illegal DVD copies, my goal is to convert all my VHS-only movies to DVD.

[wulf109]

Legal size paper 8 1/2 x 14. I use Hammermill 28pound 100 white legal.

[HarpMaster]

For DVD covers, I generally use 120gsm glossy paper, that I get locally for £1 for 20 sheets.
With Cd covers, I prefer something a little thicker, from 150 to 170 gsm, costing usually around £3 for 50 sheets.

[yst]

I don't know what are you talked about guys.

I'm printing DVD covers for years on the standard 8.5x11" Letter size paper and it comes in correct size 185mm H x 270mm W.

I'm use Windows Picture and Fax Viewer mostly and DVD-Cover Printmaster occasionally.

[moviegeek71]

I'm confused now, I would hope that it would be as simple as getting the A4 paper size as suggested.

[HarpMaster]

I don't think the size of your paper is the problem. As long as the guides of your printer paper feed are set to the width of the paper, it should print okay. But the usual size of a DVD cover
is slightly wider than the size you quoted. DVD Cover Printmaster has the size at 184mm x 274mm. Undercover XP has the dimensions slightly larger at 184.2 x 274.3.

Allthough I use both programs, I prefer to use Undercover XP mostly, because when printing
on both sides of the paper, it's more accurate in matching the other side. Also when printing the back cover of a CD, it's less wasteful, as you can print two on the same piece of paper.

[moviegeek71]

But the usual size of a DVD cover is slightly wider than the size you quoted.

So, the majority says that I need to get the A4 paper?

[HarpMaster]

I don't think it really matters what the size of the paper is, as long as it is bigger than
the size of a DVD cover. But it must be more convenient to buy A4 size paper, especially
if you want to use glossy paper. Even the plain paper I've bought, has always been A4.

But if what you've already got is letter size and it's dimensions are big enough - use it.

[moviegeek71]

I don't think the size of your paper is the problem. But the usual size of a DVD cover is slightly wider than the size you quoted.

I don't think it really matters what the size of the paper is, as long as it is bigger than the size of a DVD cover. But if what you've already got is letter size and it's dimensions are big enough - use it.

I don't understand, you say the size of the paper is not the problem but then you said the DVD cover is wider than the 8.5x11" letter size.

The letter size paper (8.5x11") is larger than a DVD cover but every time I print on it, regardless of software or settings, the DVD cover is 5mm too narrow at the width.

[HarpMaster]

If the size of your paper is 216 x 279 mm, which is the metric equivalent of 8.5 x 11",
and the DVD cover is 184 x 274 mm, then the paper is big enough. So therefore,
perhaps the template is the wrong size. In DVD Cover Printmaster, you should use the
setting for Single DVD and print at Portrait setting on the printer not Landscape.
Make sure the paper guides where the paper goes in are set so that the paper feeds
in securely.

Other than that, I don't know what else to tell you, apart from perhaps trying A4
paper. And if that fails - throw the printer on the floor and jump up and down on
it. That should help!

[moviegeek71]

I'll just have to fiddle with it and figure it out. I'll give that DVD Cover Printmaster a go too.

If not, I'll just pull an 'Office Space' on it like they did the fax.

[HarpMaster]

Just a thought. When you print, do you call up the printer properties or at least the options
in DVD Cover Printmaster, and set the paper size?

[moviegeek71]

I've tried everything with the software and the printer and get the same result. I'll have to get some A4 paper because that's the only thing I haven't tested yet.

[wrathofbod]

i use MS Publisher & made a template 3 boxes, one left, one right & a spine box using the size grid to adjust size to my dvd case,


drop image in if its a full cover


or use a photo program or MS paint to cut out each panel to adjust size.

[hech54]

I've tried everything with the software and the printer and get the same result. I'll have to get some A4 paper because that's the only thing I haven't tested yet.

You probably won't find A4 in America.....Legal is the next size up.
And the specs say your printer can do borderless....and borderless on 8.5x11
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product/Specifications.do?sku=C11CB20201

[byteguy]

Going borderless may cause you more problems. When that's turned on, my Canon takes whatever I give it and enlarges it slightly. It does this to avoid leaving a bit of white on an edge if it misfeeds but that means it's not really printing the size I asked for.

Instead, I switched to Legal size paper ages ago for DVD covers.

[Lowlander]

I found this harsh little sentence concerning Epson printers when searching the interwebs for a solution:

Borderless is not usually possible with plain paper.

Which could explain why you can't print a 184 x 274 mm label on a 216 x 279 mm sheet, assuming you use plain paper and set the printer driver accordingly.

Maybe it's worth spoiling a bit of ink by temporarily choosing a glossy/photo paper setting, even if you don't have glossy paper. Just to be sure the above rule doesn't apply here.

To be sure you get the right and full size of your labels chosse a paper that is large enough to accomodate the label and whatever border the printer itself may need around it.

[moviegeek71]

I'm printing DVD covers for years on the standard 8.5x11" Letter size paper and it comes in correct size 185mm H x 270mm W. I'm use Windows Picture and Fax Viewer ...

Well now, I tried the MS Windows Picture and Fax Viewer with the same Letter sized paper and it worked at 185H x 274W. I tried the simpliest thing last and it worked. What I did notice, the only difference, is that it is printed centered when all the other software did not center the image on the paper.