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Question about Printers that Print on CDs

by I.M.Retired
15 replies
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I don't know where to post this, so hopefully someone will pop into this forum who can point me in the right direction.

I just got back from the store and the 'techie person' explained things to me in great detail how the printer worked. However, most of it went over my head as I simply wanted to know how to put the cd in, how to get the image into the printer, and have a nicely printed, color cd pop out at me. He neglected to tell me that, and after repeated questions I came to the conclusion that he didn't know how to do it, either.

All I want to do is to print my own, digital artwork on the front of a CD. I don't have a printer that prints CDs (as yet) so I would like some idea as to how the process works, printer recommendations. I have been using a wonderful Samsung Laser Printer for BW pages only for the past five years, so am really out of the loop regarding the capabilities of other printers.

What I need to know is:

How easy is it to print colored graphics on CDs?

What printer would your recommend and why?
  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Welcome back Val, hope you had a great holiday!

    I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you looking for CD/DVD Label Software? This link may have what you are looking for:

    CD Label Software - Create DVD/CD Labels from Templates

    I have never used this particular software - I'm just using it as an example. You can print labels or print directly onto printable discs.

    *A printer with disc printing functionality is required for printing directly onto CD or DVDs.

    Maybe someone else can chime in here and suggest a printer.

    Cheers,
    Jody
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Val, my computer has a built-in CD/DVD recorder that prints on CD's. This probably isn't what you're looking for as it uses a laser to "print" on special CD's, so I don't think color is an option (it's a new PC and I haven't used the CD printer yet so I can't say for sure). Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it as an option. The CD writer is LightScribe. It's made by HP. You can buy one that installs in your current PC, and there may be an external model too, but I'm not sure about that.
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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Val, my computer has a built-in CD/DVD recorder that prints on CD's. This probably isn't what you're looking for as it uses a laser to "print" on special CD's, so I don't think color is an option (it's a new PC and I haven't used the CD printer yet so I can't say for sure). Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it as an option. The CD writer is LightScribe. It's made by HP. You can buy one that installs in your current PC, and there may be an external model too, but I'm not sure about that.
      Dennis, I'm glad you posted that. I have the same on mine - didn't realize that until now!
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    • Profile picture of the author colll999
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Val, my computer has a built-in CD/DVD recorder that prints on CD's. This probably isn't what you're looking for as it uses a laser to "print" on special CD's, so I don't think color is an option (it's a new PC and I haven't used the CD printer yet so I can't say for sure). Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it as an option. The CD writer is LightScribe. It's made by HP. You can buy one that installs in your current PC, and there may be an external model too, but I'm not sure about that.
      The printers simply have a cd/dvd try you insert into the printer, simply choose the print to disk option in the print menu. Leave some space free behind the printer as the cd/dvd try comes out of the back while printing on some printer models.

      I used to use my HP Photosmart C5280 to print directly onto CDs & DVDs and to print my dvd covers but if you are using it a lot the ink goes very fast especially when printing the covers.

      The ink is expensive for this model too, it;s £35 (about $54) for a colour ink cartridge here in the U.K. or about half that to get it refilled.

      So now i use an external lightscribe dvd drive for the dvds as there is no ink its takes a little longer but worth it and i get my local printer to print my dvd covers, much cheaper.

      not my image but a good example of a LightScribe DVD
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Val, my computer has a built-in CD/DVD recorder that prints on CD's. This probably isn't what you're looking for as it uses a laser to "print" on special CD's, so I don't think color is an option (it's a new PC and I haven't used the CD printer yet so I can't say for sure). Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it as an option. The CD writer is LightScribe. It's made by HP. You can buy one that installs in your current PC, and there may be an external model too, but I'm not sure about that.
      I had no idea all-in-one reader / writer / printers existed!

      Something new learned today!
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  • Profile picture of the author I.M.Retired
    Thanks for the input Dennis and Waterotter: I should have mentioned that I'm using a Mac. I'm not looking to print a paper label to stick on a CD, I'm looking to print right onto the CD.

    I'm off to research printable CD's to see what I can find. Then I'll check for printers, along with the one you mentioned, Dennis.

    Does the CD just slide into the printer and come out printed? That's the part that has me a bit confused.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Val, I haven't used mine for this purpose yet and I can't try it until I get some printable discs. The disc drive is built into my computer.

    LightScribe is an innovative technology that uses a special disc drive, special media (CDs or DVDs), and label-making software to burn labels directly onto CDs and DVDs. A LightScribe-enabled CD or DVD disc drive uses the optical laser in the drive to burn a label onto a thin dye coating on the label side of the disc. There is no ink to smear or paper to curl, and there are no adhesives to loosen.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Here's a pic of an epson printer with cd/dvd direct printing capability.

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  • Profile picture of the author onlinecasinodeck
    Originally Posted by Val.S. View Post

    I don't know where to post this, so hopefully someone will pop into this forum who can point me in the right direction.

    I just got back from the store and the 'techie person' explained things to me in great detail how the printer worked. However, most of it went over my head as I simply wanted to know how to put the cd in, how to get the image into the printer, and have a nicely printed, color cd pop out at me. He neglected to tell me that, and after repeated questions I came to the conclusion that he didn't know how to do it, either.

    All I want to do is to print my own, digital artwork on the front of a CD. I don't have a printer that prints CDs (as yet) so I would like some idea as to how the process works, printer recommendations. I have been using a wonderful Samsung Laser Printer for BW pages only for the past five years, so am really out of the loop regarding the capabilities of other printers.

    What I need to know is:

    How easy is it to print colored graphics on CDs?

    What printer would your recommend and why?
    Now lightscribe is in, With LightScribe; you just burn your data; flip the disc; then burn your label
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Val, I think you can use any cd that can be written to.
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  • Profile picture of the author I.M.Retired
    Thanks everyone for the info. I'm off to see what I can find out about what works with a Mac. (And how to get the image into the printer.)

    Thanks, Jody, for the detailed description of how the printer works. Your description is easy to understand and I think I'm beginning to 'see the light!' I just couldn't imagine how the CD would roll around the print cylinder like the paper does, or how the ink would get squirted on the CD. (Not the brightest star in the constellation, for sure!)

    Does Kunaki print the image on the CD or do they use a stick-on label? I'm trying to figure out if it will be more efficient and cost effective to do this myself, or to send everything to Kunaki. I prefer to do things myself, but then, I am a cheapskate, too.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Kunaki prints directly onto the disk.

    Here is a thread that may be of interest: http://www.warriorforum.com/internet...-vervante.html
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    • Profile picture of the author Tashi Mortier
      Hi Val!

      I know exactly what you're talking about, I own a Canon MX 850 and it came with a special plastic "thing" in which you can put the printable CD in, you can then put that "thing" into a special slot in the printer.

      The printer came with the software necessary to print on the CD. It's really awesome if you don't need lots and lots of CDs and it works like a charm. My old Canon printer worked exactly the same way.

      It requires special CDs, but they don't cost much more than the normal ones.

      Found an image of the "thing" in google:



      I can recommend pretty much any Canon printer with this feature. You can get the CDs or DVDs you need at pretty much any computer store or amazon.

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    VAL,

    I only know 4 ways:

    1. ONE is various commercial printers. FORGET IT, TOO MUCH!
    2. Some lowerend things, like What tashi said. I wasn't aware of the canon deal though.
    3. Light Scribe. It apparently crosses brands. It DOES require a special disc though, as one side is a NORMAL CD/DVD, and the other can be written on with a laser.
    4. Labels, like avery, printed on by a normal printer and applied via a cheap hand device.

    I only really tried option #4. It can work well, but you DO have to be a bit careful. As I understand it, option #3 is often one color, and usually requires flipping the CD.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    If you zre going to use the CDs in a computer, using labels will be fine. If you are going to use them in any other media such as a cd/dvd player, your car stereo,Do NOT use labels.
    If the label "lifts" at all whiule in the device you are looking at either paying a tech to come remove if or tossing the device.That being said, as shown above,Lightscribe does do a decent job at making a nice looking cd and they really arent that expensive.

    Looks like you can get an external one for about $40 and shipping costs.
    Good Luck.
    Amazon.com: external lightscribe burner
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