dvd label suggestions

bigteethproductions

bigteethproductions

Well-known member
hi gang,

just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for dvd labels they've used that are good quality and not too pricey.

Here's some helpful info:

I create the label from a template either in photoshop or fireworks and then print from my epson printer. In my opinion the quality is ok but not great, but the clients who've gotten the dvds are usually impressed (consumer clients). I've used Memorex labels up to now and am not real impressed with the quality of printing - but that may be the printer more than the stock. More importantly the software that comes with it sucks and i haven't had success printing straight from a photoshop template.

So, any suggestions for blank labels that I'd print on my own printer (stylus cx 6600) that has a good template with it and looks nice when printed. I'd like glossy if they make them for this type of printing, but matte is acceptable.

thanks
 
Don't waste time and money on those stick on labels. I got an Epson Stylus that will print directly on the face of the disc. Canon also makes Disc printers, as well as a few other manufaturers.
 
thanks for the advice, i was just doing some reading on similar threads and that seems to be a consensus.

however, I still have a fair amount of dvd-r's that are not blank to print on so i'd want to use those with the stick on labels at least until i run out.

so, any suggestions of at least decent stick ons would be great. Also, if i bite the bullet and get the dvd printer, what type of dvds do i need? white blank?
 
For the price of buying those stick on labels you can just buy some new dvd-r's. Why not just do that, and save the dvd-r's you have now for test burning, etc.

Jason
 
I agree with Ramjet on that. Believe me, I burn them old discs- test burns, compression tests, for approval before burning a bunch of discs the client won't like... You'll find a use for them ;)
 
fair enough.... then onto - suggestions on which dvds and which printer?

is the Epson R220 the way to go?

What do the dvds have to have on them - shiny silver, plain white?
 
I've got the Epson R200 (precursor to the 220). Does a fantastic job for what it is. I'm printing on Memorex printable DVD's with the white surface. I think there *might* be a silver version as well.
 
Since I don't have a lot of room for all sorts of equipment, I got the Stylus RX700 All-In-One photo printer. Great for scanning a photo to use as your label art. As far as DVDs, I buy the plain white printables at CompUSA, whatever is cheapest.
 
the R220 is tricky, spent 2 days here at the office to get it goin, couldnt figure it out on a PC so its not tethered to my Powermac here. I use Disclabel to print to it and it works great!
 
Epson R320 here, it is wicked awesome. make label in PS then bring it into the printer utility. I wouldnt buy the cheap comp usa discs, youll get what you pay for.... one thing to note if the disc gets wet or you rub it with a wet finger it will bleed big time, some people spray them with a matte/gloss finish....
 
hey sink,

for the R320 it sounds like a good way to go, but i read some reviews on cnet that said the cd tray stops loading correctly after about 70-80 cd/dvds.... have you had any problems with that, how long have you had it/used it?
 
Personally, I have issues with Epson's reliability. The last one I had started acting up after a few months, then got to the point where it refused to work without a few solid thumps. Look into Canon, they have a couple for under $100.

And the only reason I have an Epson now, is that Canon doesn't sell an All-In-One that prints on disks... not in the U.S. anyways. They have the exact same model overseas that will though.
 
The printed discs will actually look a little better with the spray. Also, I'm noticing that some discs are coming with more of a glossy finished printing surface...somewhere in between matte and gloss...looks really nice.
 
bigteethproductions said:
hey sink,

for the R320 it sounds like a good way to go, but i read some reviews on cnet that said the cd tray stops loading correctly after about 70-80 cd/dvds.... have you had any problems with that, how long have you had it/used it?
Click to expand...

I've had it for about a year, I havent had any problems with it. I dont think you can get the 320 anymore, maybe 340 or 360? I wouldnt get it to print 1000's, you'd need to get a dedicated printer.. but if you are worried about reliability get it from some brick and mortar you can pay an extra 6 bucks and get an extended warranty... Otherwise people are totally impressed by the discs.. Also it took me 3-4 discs to get it aligned but smooth sailing since then..
 
I had a lot of problems with labels some years ago especially at one time when I bought a batch real cheap!! from a dealer who had old stock only to find that the adhesive properties of the labels had deteriorated and would stick to the disks for a short time.

Now I print direct to disks using a Canon PIXMA iP5200 and they look great!!!
 
just looking back on some older posts and wanted to update:

I've been using the Epson r320 for several months now. I bought a used one on ebay.

Let me start by saying that my Stylus CX6600 is basically junk and I have replaced that with a canon all in one which so far is great for scanning and regular printing, and that experience gave a pretty bad taste in my mouth for epson b/c the software is pretty bad and reliability was suspect on the stylus.

However, so far (and this could change) the r320 has printed very good quality dvd surfaces for me. It has made my end product to clients much much better. The software is still pretty lame but I design in photoshop and import into epson's software just to make sure I line it up properly.

just wanted to share in case anyone else is going through similar situation to what i was before.
 
i have used the r300 and have an r320 now and i love it. You wont get that nice shiney look though because that is thermal printing. The great thing about the r300-320 is that you can print right to the edge of the DVD instead of having that white line on the inside and outside of the label area. Inks can get expensive but epson has individual cartridges for each color.
 
Oh the cd tray thing, i find you have to nudge it to get it to grab after a bunch but thats not a problem I find too annoying since you have to sit there and load them in one at a time anyway. After printing a few DVDs I find it becomes second nature.
 
I've had my r200 for over 3 years now and haven't had any problems. Of course, I only use it to print DVDs and my portfolio, so it doesn't see really heavy use. I also recommend getting the DVDs that let you print on the hub. Gives you a lot more graphic real estate and looks very cool.
 
Epsons were the only game in town for a few years. Their trays often get stuck, and need so called "Epson push" to get going. The new HP D5160 has much heavier better designed tray with very reliable feeding AND faster printing. The downside to the HPs is lame software that comes with it. The workaround is to design in PS and then import into the HP software
 
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