CD printers
 

Has anyone used a printer that prints labels directly on CDs? Is it worth it? Any brand/model recommendations?

How many CDs are you going to need printed? Small volume it may be worth it. If it is alot, I would recomend going to a company that screen prints CDs.

I got Casio Cw-75 (old) but works just fine. thermal printing, doesnt smear off or anything. Only thing is you need CD/DVDs without any label writing, just silver tops. You can buy thermal blank CDs/DVDs online. If you use any other media, like blank Memorex ones, it won't print due to the memorex logos and surface.
Tigerdirect used to carry some cheap generic CDs that I could print too.

But I print maybe a few titles here and there, nothing major.

I have an Epson R260 which prints onto them by loading the CD or DVD onto a caddy. Results are stunning, printer is cheap ($80). I tried the Casio and was not impressed, you are vey limited in what you can print.

I'm duplicating CDs of conference classes. Not a huge volume and lots of different titles, so going to a company isn't feasible.


This sounds like a good fit for my needs. Thanks.

Our software librarian uses an Epson printer as well. He produces maybe 20-40 discs per month so not high volume compared to CD/DVD production facilities.

He's been debating switching from direct-print discs to Lightscribe since that would burn the label information on the surface of the disc. Also, there are now color Lightscribe discs (just the disc face, not he text) so it would be a simple matter for him to categorize/organize the discs based on color.

I have an EPSON R220 ink-jet printer that I use for printing directly on ink-jet printable DVD's (or CD's). It works great. I bought it specifically for printing my DVD's. I believe EPSON is the only company that makes printers that use a caddy and print directly on the DVD/CD. I've spent about 3 times the cost of the printer on ink for it - probably have printed over 500 DVD's with it.

Epson holds the US patent on cd printing so they dominate this niche in North America. I believe all of the Epson Stylus Photo R series can print directly to CD/DVD.

If you are looking for a non-Epson option, there is the HP D5160 as well as specialized CD/DVD printers.

In Europe and Asia where the technology is not under patent, other companies such as Canon have printers that compete with Epson. Some people have installed foreign market parts to US model Pixmas to make it print on discs.

From what I have seen on Lightscribe, there are many shortcomings. The writing surface is single color, the image often comes out blurry (unless you do multiple passes), Lightscribing takes a long time, and the Lightscribe discs typically cost twice as much as comparable inkjet printable from the same manufacturer. It is a nifty idea and probably useful to those without a CD/DVD printer.

For what it's worth, I am very happy with my Epson R340.

Make sure you use ink-jet printerable media. Otherwise you would get a "pool" of ink on top of your CD/DVD.