lachefilms
Well-known member
What's the best DVD printing program for DVDs to look proffesional...and not those fake looking ones I see all the time.
DVD printing...
- Thread starter lachefilms
- Start date
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
Yep. My Epson 220 cost me 50 bucks after a rebate. I print on TDK print on DVD-Rs that I get at Costco when they are BOGO in the hundred packs. Costs me about 45 bucks for 200 Disks. I wouldn't go this road if I were replicating a lot of DVDs, but I usually give my clients a few, then they replicate elsewhere. The epson sofware allows you to import any image, so you can create something killer in photoshiop, then import it.
jcskeeter
Well-known member
I have also used a Epson printer with Fuji print top dvds. The software that came with the printer wasn't the best for actually designing the dvd. So I just created a Photoshop template and designed a high res dvd design. I would then import that into the Epson software to print. The Epson printed very clear and crisp.
Some notes: I would purchase the print tops that go all the way to the spindle, that helps to make it look more profesional. Also one thing I came accross was that the Epson I used was a CMYK printer, so you have to watch you colors when in PS so they match what you actually print. (helps to work in CMYK in PS also).
Some notes: I would purchase the print tops that go all the way to the spindle, that helps to make it look more profesional. Also one thing I came accross was that the Epson I used was a CMYK printer, so you have to watch you colors when in PS so they match what you actually print. (helps to work in CMYK in PS also).
bbalser
Veteran
Nothing beats thermal printing. I do both, but when I mass duplicate for a client, I use thermal printing. Head and shoulders above ink jet. But I use ink jet for one-off discs, it does look pretty nice.
Also, screw PS and get Discus (MagicMouse.com). It pretty powerful, you can switch layouts with two clicks to fit any die cut sheet or printer made. Since I started using Discus, my disk and cover labeling looks better, takes less time. I only use PS to tough up photos. But for the layout, nothing beats Discus.
Also, screw PS and get Discus (MagicMouse.com). It pretty powerful, you can switch layouts with two clicks to fit any die cut sheet or printer made. Since I started using Discus, my disk and cover labeling looks better, takes less time. I only use PS to tough up photos. But for the layout, nothing beats Discus.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
What does a thermal printer run?
bbalser
Veteran
They're not cheap. I farm mine out to DiscMakers. I can get the whole thing burned and printed for not much more than it cost me to do with a Bravo II, which is ink jet. I can also get thermal printing on blank media that I can burn myself. Unlike ink jet, thermal can be burned after you print. Ink jet printing before burning runs the risk of the ink liquifying from the heat inside the burner. I ruiened a burner like that awhile back.
Ink Jet, Theremal, both have thier place. You just have to figure your per disc cost, including the electricity to run the duplicator, your time babysitting it, how much the client is willing to pay for it, etc.
But Thermal is really head and shoulders above ink jet in durability, feel, color saturation. I still do ink jet a lot, but for batch jobs, DiscMakers does it with better quality DVD media, better quality Thermal printing, better quality packaging, and for only a few bucks more than I could do here with my Epson printers or the old Bravo II. Not to mention my Bravo II's DVD burner burnt up a week after the warranty was up. Primera wanted 3/4 the price of the Bravo itself to replace the burner. Way too much money. DiscMakers doesn't wear on my own equipment.
I also find that when a client sees my past projects, they are willing to pay more when they see the more professional quality packaging.
Again, they both have their place. For only a few copies, ink jet, for a batch of 100 minimum, DiscMakers.
Ink Jet, Theremal, both have thier place. You just have to figure your per disc cost, including the electricity to run the duplicator, your time babysitting it, how much the client is willing to pay for it, etc.
But Thermal is really head and shoulders above ink jet in durability, feel, color saturation. I still do ink jet a lot, but for batch jobs, DiscMakers does it with better quality DVD media, better quality Thermal printing, better quality packaging, and for only a few bucks more than I could do here with my Epson printers or the old Bravo II. Not to mention my Bravo II's DVD burner burnt up a week after the warranty was up. Primera wanted 3/4 the price of the Bravo itself to replace the burner. Way too much money. DiscMakers doesn't wear on my own equipment.
I also find that when a client sees my past projects, they are willing to pay more when they see the more professional quality packaging.
Again, they both have their place. For only a few copies, ink jet, for a batch of 100 minimum, DiscMakers.
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Capt Quirk
Veteran
I just spent yesterday burning and printing a DVD for a client. Not the whole day, just the morning really. Had some issues creating the critter, it kept failing (which is a good reason to wait till after burning and testing the disc before printing) because of audio issues. I got the trial of Ulead's DVD Creater and problems solved, not to mention it was a breeze to work with.
After getting a DVD that was to satisfaction, I went straight to Photoshop to create the label art. I ended up using the Epson Print CD app, it made the artwork and printed the disc very nicely. I'm using the all-in-one RX700, and am pretty happy with it... so far.
After getting a DVD that was to satisfaction, I went straight to Photoshop to create the label art. I ended up using the Epson Print CD app, it made the artwork and printed the disc very nicely. I'm using the all-in-one RX700, and am pretty happy with it... so far.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
I get that discmakers catalog all the time, and have recommended them to clients for duplication. Glad to hear they do good work.
My r220 occasionally shoots the DVD tray out the back, then pops up an error. I have to shsut it down and start over, which is time consuming. But it works eventually.
As an aside, does anyone here have any experience with replication using DLT transfers and glass masters. Is there realy a difference?
My r220 occasionally shoots the DVD tray out the back, then pops up an error. I have to shsut it down and start over, which is time consuming. But it works eventually.
As an aside, does anyone here have any experience with replication using DLT transfers and glass masters. Is there realy a difference?
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
I have a rimage 360i duplicator/printer that cranks out 50 at a shot.
bbalser
Veteran
Ming said:
Actually, there's a whole bunch of art they had to pull due to licensing problems. It was all that old painting/tapasry stuff. They did add some new art that's really nice and very usable. They will be adding more art in the future.
Version 4 does so many cool things. You really should upgrade, it's so worth it. And you can't beat the price. Biggest bang for your buck anywhere. It does photo collages, better adjusting, export to several formats, a new symbol library, tons and tons and tons of preset templates. I even heard a rumor they're working with DiscMakers to match their templates. But that's just a rumor.
If you like 3, version 4 of Discus is going to make you wet your pants big time...
Dick Campbell
Veteran
You can also overspray the print with a clear lacquer, which waterproofs the ink, and makes for a very nice finish. Of course , you can't be heavy handed with this, you need to avoid lacquer getting around the edges. I pedestal the disk on foam block and spray directly down. I've read that hairspray works well too.