Which Sharpie's are BEST for writing on DVD's?

[defense]

Hi, I have read countless posts of people who use "Sharpie's" as their preferred method of writing/labelling their DVD's. I too prefer to just simply write the title on the top of the DVD and up until this point I have always used a permanent marker which is Instant Dry and on the package it says it is especially for DVD's.

The thing is that I now have "white top" DVD media and because the top side "white label" is more rough then the smooth silver top DVD's, my Permanent markers tip is worn out.

I just did a search for Sharpie at OfficeDepot and now i'm REALLY CONFUSED. Here are the Sharpie's they sell...lol

1) Fine Point Sharpie
2) Extra Fine Point Sharpie
3) ULTRA Fine Point Sharpie..lol..
4) Twin Tip Sharpie
5) SUPER SHARPIE..LMAO
6) Chinsel Tip Sharpie...LOL..ROFL..LMAO...ok...which one of these do MOST of you use and does anyone know the difference between these..like the SUPER SHARPIE and the Chinsel Tip Sharpie? LOL

Thanks in advance for any info on this.

[AarontheRipper]

I use the "fine" sharpie, but I doubt that it matters. I'd probably stay away from the weird sounding ones, though.

[ZippyP.]

Twin tip here! (fine and medium)

[defense]

lol...do the twin tip have "two" tips or something? If so, it sounds pretty weird/odd to write with, no? Anyone else wanna comment on their Sharpie of Choice? Anyone use the ultra fine sharpie or extra fine sharpie or SUPER SHARPIE, or CHINSEL TIP Sharpie? lol

[trillium]

Sharpie fine point here...

came across a 12-color pack at Staples

Berry, Teal, Lime, and Aqua now available!

Not to mention if you hit the silly little Nascar sharpie display, I also managed to find silver metallic

[DigiToast]

I use both the Fine and Ultra Fine 12-color packs depending on my various needs. In addition to those, I have a 4-pack of the Silver Metallics with a Fine tip. I got both of my 12-packs for the price of one since OfficeMax has some weird buy one get one free thing for some of their office supplies.

[Bondiablo]

Supposedly the ink in some markers can damage discs over time. I use a Maxell DiscWriter "Permanent Marker for Recordable Discs". I think it was something like $2.69 at Office Depot.

I also tried a TDK CD Mark but I thought the tip was too fine, plus it dried out really quick.

[SLICK RICK]

Fine point

[dbaker6165]

I like the "red" sharpie the most....

[defense]

thank you all for your responses..it looks like the fine tip sharpie and ultra fine tip sharpies are the way to go. Can anyone just mention how long on average "one" of the Sharpie's such as the fine tip or ultra fine tip will last? I mean, most of you are buying TWELVE packs.

About how many DVD's can you label before the tip becomes worn out?

That is the problem I have with the Maxell permanent marker I am using now. The same one Bondiablo is using, and when I was writing on the "silver" tops, it was fine, because I didn't have to press hard and it was a smooth write, but now that I have the white tops, which are like labels, the surface is rougher, therefore, I have to press harder, which has caused the tip of this Maxell marker to become screwed up.

What i'm asking is basically, how many use these "Sharpies" on white top or label surfaces, and does the Sharpie just lose ink over time, and that's when you replace it, or is it like me...you have to replace it when the tip gets worn out? Thanks again in advance

Supposedly the ink in some markers can damage discs over time.

Yea, supposedly the girl from "the Ring" won't kill you after 7 days if you only use Sharpies to label your DVD's. That's why I am gonna convert to Sharpie..because I watched the tape.

[bpjenn]

A little tidbit of info coming out of Dr Bob's Digital Imaging Course.

If you plan on keeping stored information on a CD for an extended period of time (1 plus yrs) don't mark on it with a "Sharpie" pin or any pen that is alcohol base. The Sharpie ink will bleed through the CD and won't allow stored information to be called up.

There are special non-toxic, non-alcohol based pins available for labeling CDs. One is the "Maxwell Disc Writer" found at most office supply stores. Downside is the cost of $3-$4.

[Jester700]

A little tidbit of info coming out of Dr Bob's Digital Imaging Course.

If you plan on keeping stored information on a CD for an extended period of time (1 plus yrs) don't mark on it with a "Sharpie" pin or any pen that is alcohol base. The Sharpie ink will bleed through the CD and won't allow stored information to be called up.

There are special non-toxic, non-alcohol based pins available for labeling CDs. One is the "Maxwell Disc Writer" found at most office supply stores. Downside is the cost of $3-$4.

I think that's "Maxell", not "Maxwell".

Many have used Sharpies with no ill effects, but some have argued as you do against alcohol based ink. Personally, I use a water based Dixon RediSharp marker - very similar to a Sharpie but with water based ink.

An interesting thing - I think the TDK pen is actually alcohol based; at least it smells that way.

[defense]

@bpjenn, you think you could post a link to any information that supports your statement? I'll do research on my own, but maybe I will just stick with the Maxell permanent marker with the tip all worn out...or get another one..although the same thing will happen with the new one with these white top/label top disks. I have been using that Maxell from the beginning.

[bpjenn]

defense
I received this info in an email send out by higher headquarters where I work. I'm an Air Force civilian employee.

[ZippyP.]

lol...do the twin tip have "two" tips or something? If so, it sounds pretty weird/odd to write with, no? Anyone else wanna comment on their Sharpie of Choice? Anyone use the ultra fine sharpie or extra fine sharpie or SUPER SHARPIE, or CHINSEL TIP Sharpie? lol

For the record, it has a cap and writing tip on each end. It's "Double-ended".

[trillium]

If you plan on keeping stored information on a CD for an extended period of time (1 plus yrs) don't mark on it with a "Sharpie" pin or any pen that is alcohol base. The Sharpie ink will bleed through the CD and won't allow stored information to be called up.

Interesting this.... I've got CDs that a friend burnt for me when the VeloCD 12x TDK burn-proof drive was 'new'. In saying new, I think he spent about $260 for the drive (I picked mine up for $60 about 2 yrs ago). That was what... 4-5 years ago? All of them labeled with the nearest Sharpie at hand because EVERYONE wanted something burnt...

I've never had a problem with sharpie marked CDs, in either my PC or my Mac...

Does anyone know of anybody who's actually lost data to 'sharpie bleed'?

[ZippyP.]

I've never heard of such a problem. Once the marker dries there's no way it can "bleed" anymore. If it plays then it's going to be OK for years to come. And Sharpie says they're OK for marking disks, but then, they would!

[Quigonsean]

I use the "Fine Point" It's the one most often used by rock stars to sign autographs, I use black, red, or blue, which ever one I happen to grab first. Thats why my DVDs often are written in a differant colour than the jewel case booklet if I don't make a real nice DVD Movie box.

btw- I have discs I burnt both audio and data(cd's) that I burnt when my 2x8 CDr was just out (That is 2xwrite,8x read Re-Writable did not exist at the time) and I paid 300bucks U.S. at a comp show. They all play/read fine. Even the ones that are scratched, or have some mysterious goo mostlikely soda on the recordable surface. And they are all Sharpie written, come think of it, I have never used anything but a Sharpie to lable CD's or DVD's except the CD's of my old band those got Neto labels but thats it.

Sean

[defense]

I think ZIPPY is right on the money with the statement about "bleeding." I was thinking the exact same thing when I read the post. How can an "INSTANT" marker dry, but then "bleed" YEARS later. I am really hoping that is just B.S for all of you who use Sharpies. If anyone can confirm ANY problems arising from the "believed" use of a Sharpie...please report it here.

[simonko]

Use sharpie fine point.

The ones made especialy for CD-R's/ DVD-R's are made with ink that doesnt rubb off the plastic as easy as their normal, or clothing style permanent markers.

Chisel style is for block or calligraphy style writing.

[boden11]

i've still got the very first CDR that i burned (back in like 97 or so) and i scanned it thru nero cd speed and it was fine. i have always marked all my discs with sharpies (i think i used some fine point sharpie like markers for a short while) and have noticed NO ill effects from it. most of my cd's however did have that top (not like a ritek g03 or many other brands). anyways, im gonna keep writing em with sharpies until i see some evidence of damage.