DVD printers... suggestions?

1. alohrey
   Member

   
   I am looking into printers for printing custom labels onto DVD's. I am leaning toward one of the epson's either R200, R220, R320, R340 Are there any other options out there around the same price range or more? Also which one of the epson's would you recommend? I don't need large quantities, so volume isn't too important, just looking for opinions and options.
   
   Thanks
   ~Adam

   Posted 6 years ago #

2. compusolver
   Member

   
   I'd prefer to have an automated system, and there is a post or two around here about them, but those posts seem to indicate problems with those systems.
   
   Meanwhile, believe it or not, I sometimes print up to a hundred DVDs a day with my trusty little R200! We occasionally do portrait photo booths at conventions and we use the R200 there as well. Spits out pretty darn nice 8x10s, 5x7s etc.
   
   I do all my DVD case and insert printing as well as direct printing on white surface DVDs with the R200. If Epson had any idea how much printing I've done with this printer, they'd ask me for more money!
   
   I bought the R200 at first for the photo printing. My budget wouldn't quite allow the professional 16x20 printer I wanted, so I bought a cheapie to tide me over. Trouble is, other than not being able to do 16x20, this little printer has done a beautiful job with everything we've thrown at it. We don't do much portrait work anymore, so I may never get the pro-printer.
   
   We even bought a second one to be able to print DVDs faster.

   Posted 6 years ago #

3. Endeavor
   Member

   
   I'm glad you brought this up. I need to get one of these soon (before the spring bridal shows). Are there any other brands I should look at?

   Posted 6 years ago #

4. Videoman
   Member

   
   I use Canon Pixma ip3000
   
   It has inbuilt tray and the drivers allow you to change ink density
   
   I use both White and Silver printable lables
   
   Coupled with creativity they are truly professional to boot

   Posted 6 years ago #

5. BillM
   Member

   
   I'm using an Epson R800 for both photo printing and CD printing. This printer is more expensive, however it use archival inks.
   
   BillM

   Posted 6 years ago #

6. Tbone
   Member

   
   I had been thinking about getting an R200 for months. This thread was the last straw. I found one at NewEgg.com for $87 and a $20 rebate. After the rebate, the printer will come to my door for a bit more than $70.

   Posted 6 years ago #

7. MissKIT
   Member

   
   If you're interested in burning and printing at the same time, the Bravo II I have works wel.. I just start it up and the robot does the work.

   Posted 6 years ago #

8. Tbone
   Member

   
   Hey MissKIT,
   
   Your business must already be making money. I need to score a few more big jobs before I can lay down that kind of money. But I bet it sure is nice. I hve been happy with me R200, but fast? It ain't.
   
   Tbone

   Posted 6 years ago #

9. KBVP
   Member

   
   Tbone- Lots of discussion about the R-200 on the A-M forum.
   
   alohrey- The Epson R-200 has been a workhorse for me. I estimate around 1000 DVDs have been printed so far. When the time comes to retire it, I'll get one of the higher end Epsons. The professional Epsons have a wider print tray that the DVD/CD goes into. This is more stable and has a geared track for positioning.

   Posted 6 years ago #

10. Tbone
    Member

    
    Yes, I am happy with the performance of the R200. I do have a job on the horizon that will require 300 discs. I would like them all to have the classy look of a printed face. The R200 could surely print that many, but the time required for me to sit here and load 300 discs one at a time? Yeesh!
    
    If I have enough time between production and deadline, maybe I could send them to MissKIT.

    Posted 6 years ago #

11. BTS
    Member

    
    Kind of related: do you print directly on printable DVDs with the R200? Would you discourage using sticky labels?

    Posted 6 years ago #

12. KBVP
    Member

    
    The R-200 will print labels on paper like other printers, but I don't do that anymore. If the disc isn't stored under ideal conditions, the paper labels could separate- not good! The R-200 has a special tray that the DVD/CD goes into. You have to use DVD/CDs that have printable surfaces that are white.

    Posted 6 years ago #

13. Tbone
    Member

    
    That has been the information I have received as well. Printing on sticky labels to be applied to DVD's is not recommended for two main reasons.
    
    One reason is that the DVD drives get hotter than the CD drives and can cause the adhesive on the back of the stick-on labels to fail while the disc is in the dirve. That can make for some messy difficulties in your drive as you can imagine.
    
    The other reason is that a stick-on label that is stuck on a little bit off center can cause excessive drive wear and even read errors. The DVD drives spin at a higher RPM than the CD drives. The off-center label makes the disc off balance, thus the wobble. Think of an automobile tire badly out of balance and how it hops as the car goes down the highway. Get the picture?

    Posted 6 years ago #

14. Videoman
    Member

    
    Don't forget, the adhesive used on some lables can actually "eat" into the recording layer of the DVD/CD rendering it useless.
    
    There is virtually nothing protecting the burning surface of a DVD/CD.
    That's whay you don't write on them with a ball point pen or any old permenant marker or use adhesive labels.
    
    Most manufacturers have a warning label against "Stick-on lables"
    
    If in doubt read the box - you'll see it.

    Posted 6 years ago #

15. Endeavor
    Member

    
    I have an r220 I've been using and it does really well. As far as time consuming, it is. But I usually just have my discs burning and printing while I sit doing something else and just stick in a new disc when one is done. Works pretty well and I can do several hundred in a few days in between other stuff. (still a pain but it works). BTW the r220 replaced the r200.

    Posted 6 years ago #

16. KBVP
    Member

    
    Here's an alternative: http://www.discmakers.com/duplicators/products/cdr105.asp

    Posted 6 years ago #

17. masterpiecevid
    Member

    
    I use the sticky labels, but perhaps I shouldn't! Another question: Do you usually put your finished DVD's in small jewel cases or do you buy the larger cases (like the size that movies come in)?
    
    Where can you get a good price on printable DVD's?
    
    Thanks!
    Brad

    Posted 6 years ago #

18. KBVP
    Member

    
    I use either clear clamshells or boxes that will hold 4 DVDs. See the above link to Discmakers. They also have blank DVDs. I never use stick on labels since getting the Epson printer.
    The clear clamshell cases have a snap closure around the hub. These are flexible and not only survive mailing without the case breaking, but help keep the scratches on the disc reduced. I once got a DVD in the mail that the slim hard plastic case had been broken. It scratched the heck out of the DVD!

    Posted 6 years ago #

19. Jimedits
    Member

    
    Our R220 is great for our needs. If I had to say something negative, I'm not impressed with the clarity of the images it prints on the disc, but for the price, the clarity is actually better than I anticipated.
    
    After we burn through our remaining slim jewel cases, we're going to the clamshell cases too.
    
    Did I read a previous post correctly? Will the R220 not print the silver discs? No matter, just need to know before I make more coasters.

    Posted 6 years ago #

20. alohrey
    Member

    
    hey, I got the R220 thanks guys and gals for all of the input it's very valuable for these types of things. So far all is great, the discs look very nice. The best part is the $50 rebate I got for buying it at the same time as my wife's new Rebel XT. Make sure to check into any available rebates from epson, there are some good ones.
    
    Thanks
    Later
    ~Adam

    Posted 6 years ago #

21. compusolver
    Member

    

    Where can you get a good price on printable DVD's?

    
    I get Ritek blanks from http://www.rima.com

    Posted 6 years ago #

22. alohrey
    Member

    
    I know I pay a little extra, but I always go with verbatim discs. I have had problems with just about every other brand, but verbatim has never given me issues. My suggestion is pick one that works well with your equipment and stick with it! I used to always go for what's on sale, etc. Not a good practice when it comes to dvd's.
    
    Later
    ~Adam

    Posted 6 years ago #

23. compusolver
    Member

    
    No coasters with Ritek. Last month, we used over three hundred of them.

    Posted 6 years ago #

24. jimbodeanny
    Member

    
    I use a Primera Signature Z1 thermal printer. Since I do mostly weddings I have no real use for printing full color labels and even if I did, I'd never print with an inkjet printer. I print black text/logos on shiny reflective Verbatim DVD-Rs and it works GREAT - looks VERY professional. Also, it's a very low cost solution! The printer ran for about $140. The thermal cartridges go for about only $20 too and you can get between 200-300 prints!
    
    Also, NEVER use adhesive labels! They work ok with CDs, but NOT DVDs. The discs get too hott and the adhesive melts, causing the label to wrinkle and get caught in the player (and look crappy lol). Also, it can cause read errors BIG TIME. Adhesive labels are a NO NO! :)

    Posted 6 years ago #

25. compusolver
    Member

    

    Since I do mostly weddings I have no real use for printing full color labels and even if I did, I'd never print with an inkjet printer

    
    This is reminding me of the guy who argued against ever editing video!
    
    You've stated your preference for text over photos and for thermal over inkjets, several times on these boards - but I can't find a single line that uses logic and reason to support your preferences.
    
    Most of us can accept the fact that, especially for wedding videos, photos are better than plain text for the DVD surfaces, and we're anxiously waiting to be enlightened as to how we're missing the boat by not switching to plain text.
    
    Also, since I've been printing with inkjet printers on white-printable DVD surfaces for several years now (since the introduction of the Epson 200) and not had one single problem or complaint, I'm anxious to hear what is so terrible about inkjet printers. Sure, I probably spend $100 compared to your $20 to print a few hundred DVDs, but my clients deserve the best.
    
    Lastly, nobody hear is advocating stick-on labels.

    Posted 6 years ago #

26. jimbodeanny
    Member

    

    Also, since I've been printing with inkjet printers on white-printable DVD surfaces for several years now (since the introduction of the Epson 200) and not had one single problem or complaint, I'm anxious to hear what is so terrible about inkjet printers. Sure, I probably spend $100 compared to your $20 to print a few hundred DVDs, but my clients deserve the best.

    
    
    I'll give you a few reasons why I don't like inkjet and what I find terrible about them. For one, you're not getting NEAR the quality you would with laser or thermal. And to get even close, you have to use the maximum quality settings, using more and more ink. Another reason, the ink comes off MUCH easier than thermal and it's not waterproof. Also, yes the cost is an issue. To get decent quality from inkjet, you're using a fair amount of ink. You're spending much more on the prints. These are reasons enough for ME to not justify going with an inkjet printer.
    
    Now for the DVD covers however, I do print full color covers using a large scale color laser printer.
    
    This is simply the way I do things. It may not be what you do or the way you think, but your way isn't THE ONLY way of doing things and there's no need to attack others who don't agree with your method.
    
    And I agree that clients deserve the best.

    Posted 6 years ago #

27. jimbodeanny
    Member

    
    Oh yes I forgot. You mentioned that I have a preference for text over photos. I never said this. I said that if I WAS going to do photos, I would use a color thermal printer, but due to the cost of the printers, I find the solution I'm using now to be more than adequete. Maybe I'll investe in a color thermal printer in the future

    Posted 6 years ago #

28. compusolver
    Member

    
    I'm sorry you see my post as an "attack" instead of the request for supporting logic which you have subsequently supplied.
    
    However, I think when the quality of the inkjet is to the point where the disks look fantastic, that further quality is less relevant.
    
    Thanks for posting your supporting arguments. They at least give us more to think about.

    Posted 6 years ago #

29. KBVP
    Member

    
    There are times I'd like to print text on a silver disc and save the time of doing a full color work-up when it's not required. Seminar discs are a good example. As a matter of fact, right now I'm working on the color artwork for a 4 disc set of a county multi-agency fact finding seminar. I could save about an hour just doing text! I think the Epson R-200 produces fantastic color and detail. You can tweak the print quality to your liking.

    Posted 6 years ago #

30. Furball
    Member

    
    May I suggest the TEAC P-11. http://www.emedialive.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10792
    
    Regards,

    Posted 5 years ago #

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