DVD labels

[wh5916]

I love labels--they give discs a finished, polished appearance. That having been said, I will ***never*** apply a label to a DVD disc, ever again.

Nero's free quality check utility (CD-DVD Speed, available at http://www.cdspeed2000.com) provided all of the proof that was needed--every recordable DVD that I've ever applied a label to achieves an abysmal quality score when testing...and this includes freshly burned discs. Newly burned Taiyo-Yuden DVD-Rs, which achieved a quality score of 95 or higher, plummeted to a quality score of near 0 once a label was applied. Readback errors were hideous/totally unacceptable. I've also had problems with my Panasonic DVD player freezing up totally when playing back labeled DVD-Rs.

My technique of applying labels certainly wasn't at fault, of that I'm certain. Applicator spindles from both the CD Stomp and Neato kits were always used to assure proper centering. I never touch the underside of a disc, so fingerprints were not the issue either. The label itself was always smoothed out with a couple of fingertips after application--I wanted no air bubbles to remain. For reasons still unknown, the problem was the application of a paper label.

It looks horrible, but I'm back to using a Sharpie marker on recordable DVD media.

Happily, I've experienced none of the above when applying labels to CD-R discs, in spite of warnings to the contrary that have been seen on the net. Test scores on decent media remain high, even on CD-Rs that I applied labels to several years ago.

[s.burnley]

I have used labels and printable disks. My printer is a Canon PIXMA IP3000 - it has a nifty tray for DVDs or CDs and I'm well pleased with it. It even does dual sided printing on normal paper. My one slight reservation is that the printable surface on DVDs is matt and it means that the image on the disk is not as vivid as it is on glossy photo paper.

I have found that JetT Tec print cartridges give as good a finish as my original Canon ones. They are a good bit cheaper - but not at the very bottom of the market. The very cheapest ones that I tried for a time gave washed out results and the balance was very yellow.

A very good printer at a reasonable price.

Stuart

[skier-hughes]

My one slight reservation is that the printable surface on DVDs is matt and it means that the image on the disk is not as vivid as it is on glossy photo paper.
Stuart

Stuart,

Verbatim have a glossy finish dvd now. I haven't got hold of any yet to try, but am looking at getting some in the next couple of weeks.

[THoff]

Happily, I've experienced none of the above when applying labels to CD-R discs, in spite of warnings to the contrary that have been seen on the net. Test scores on decent media remain high, even on CD-Rs that I applied labels to several years ago.

CDs use wider tracks and a longer wavelength pickup laser and are therefore much more tolerant to disk wobble and vibration than DVDs.

Personally, I use an Epson R200, and currently inkjet-printable white or silver Taiyo Yuden DVD+R media with bitsetting to set the booktype to DVD-ROM. I've also used Prodisc media with excellent results.

[richmg821]

Michaeltee,
The problem you have, you didn't read me too well. I said; "wasted my time, thinking that the ink would dry, on REGULAR SURFACE DVD's".
Where did it say I had a problem with inkjet surface DVD's?

Thankyou.

[michaeltee]

Michaeltee,
The problem you have, you didn't read me too well. I said; "wasted my time, thinking that the ink would dry, on REGULAR SURFACE DVD's".
Where did it say I had a problem with inkjet surface DVD's?

Thankyou.

My apologies richmg821. I mistakingly interpreted "regular surface DVD's" to mean "smooth surface" as opposed to "textured surface". I didn't realize you were printing on non-printable media. Sorry 'bout that!

[richmg821]

Lables vs Printable DVD's. I used both. I used all kinds of stickable lables, glossy, matte, clear, white, silver, gold, sparkle; you name it. No matter which printer you use, you'll use the same amount of ink, for a lable, or printable surface, for the same design. For 50 DVD's, the cost may be a difference of $1-$2, vs inkjet printables, for the same specs. High Gloss sticking lables are about $0.50; about the same price as top grade TY DVD inkjet printable media. Vertabim has a +DVD 16X inkjet glossy printable, for about $1 each.
Problems with stick lables, you do get air bubbles sometimes; especially with the clear lables. With Cd's now going for less than $0.25; who wants to pay more for the lable. If you can pay $50 for a pack of glossy lables; and $21 more and get a E**** R220 for $71 with free shipping. From their online store.

[Black Lab]

Some time ago, more than a year, I have bought a printer, Canon iP 5000, that can print onto CD's and have never looked back.

Just a word of caution to those in the U.S. & Canada. After much review, I have found that the Canon iP5000 that is sold in North American is not able to printer directly to cd/dvd. Seems to be a patent issue with Epson. Apparently there are work-arounds if you want to find them. It was just easier for me to buy the Epson.