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Post #1086799

Author
oojason
Parent topic
What printers does everyone use for printing discs and artwork?
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/1086799/action/topic#1086799
Date created
29-Jun-2017, 8:02 PM

 

There are some useful info and guides for printing covers and disc art - as well as making box sets etc in this thread - link - just scroll down to the ‘Guides / Video Tutorials’ or ‘Generic Custom Cover website links’ sections…

There are also lots of quality guides on youtube and on online search engines too…

 

Designing your own covers - templates and previews…

A great site for sizing up art for a dvd, blu ray or cd jewel case - along with choice of width of spines is…

http://www.printdvdcover.com/

^ It is free and easy to use, does the sizing for you - and gives you an overall view of what your cover will look like - including a pdf format download ready to print.
 

There are also free downloadable templates for dvd, blu ray and cd jewel cases, and various measurements here:-

http://www.printdvdcover.com/cover-layout-measurements.php
 

There are other quality sites out there that offer similar free templates and previews 😃
 

It’s also worth noting that UK and US blu ray covers have different size spines (only a couple of mm):-

http://www.ronyasoft.com/products/cd-dvd-label-maker/articles/popular_dvd_case_dimensions/

 

Printing covers - for those that don’t have a printer…

Independent print shops are usually very good - for both price and expert/knowledgeable help & advice - and will usually also be willing to do a couple of free test-runs as well if you’re ordering a few copies/prints from them.

The chain stores are also worth a go too.

Staples in the UK is now online only (http://www.staples.co.uk/) - with all their physical shops sadly sold off… Many of these have become ‘Office Outlet’ shops (https://www.officeoutlet.com/) - and do have a dedicated Printer Centre section. Hopefully they’ll be quite decent and as helpful as Staples once were…

…if not it’s always worth a try at your local independent print shop - or even trying an online print store - even your local library or internet cafe etc.

 

Type of paper to use for printing DVD / Blu Ray covers…

For those that don’t like cutting the covers down to size from a piece of A4 paper there is the option of buying some perforated paper for dvd and cd covers:-

https://www.shop.mediasave.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1677481-25-Gloss-DVD-Case-Inserts-Glossy-DVD-Covers.html

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PressIt-A4-DVD-Case-Inserts/dp/B00009ETXA/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Datasafe-Matt-DVD-Case-Inserts-Inlays-Covers/290279444888
 

I’d used mainly semi-glossy, photo or premium paper for covers over the years - though will likely give the matt dvd cover paper a go too soon - https://refreshcartridges.co.uk/phoenix-120gsm-perforated-matte-dvd-case-inserts/

Obviously using standard A4 letter paper will look quite poor - the ink runs through to the other side, the paper warps and looks awful - even on minimalist white inksaver covers.

 

A decent list of printers that print ‘direct to disc’ can be found here:-

https://www.videolane.com/printers-with-direct-cd-dvd-disc-printing/

https://www.printerbase.co.uk/cd-printing-printers.html

https://www.staples.com/cd+dvd+inkjet+printer/directory_cd+dvd+inkjet+printer

along with the Brother MFC-J825DW, Brother MFC-J835DW, and Brother DCP-J925DW printers, and HP’s Photosmart C5200, C5500, D5100, D5300, D5400, D7560, and HP Premium C309a and C309c printers - though am sure there are a few more out there from differing brands too…

A quick amazon search should help get some more info on the printers - and hopefully some of the reviews may help get some info on which printers print to discs more reliably or in a good quality…

https://www.amazon.com/Inkjet-Printers-CD-printing/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A172646%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A5527623011

It’s also worth giving some consideration to the cost of ink cartridges for various printers - ink isn’t cheap 😉

 

Printable Discs…

I’ve always opted for Verbatim discs - both dvd and blu ray - a quality brand, great value for money and only had a couple of failures in using them over 13/14 years.

Something like 50 dvd discs for £10 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Verbatim-43533-DVD-R-Printable-Spindle/dp/B0009U6V8Q

and 25 blu ray discs for £15 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Verbatim-43811-Datalife-Inkjet-Printable/dp/B00DHS9F5I
 

When burning discs with content always do so at the lowest possible speed - to ensure a good quality burn of and fewer expensive coasters lying around the place 😉

 

A kind member on here has made a generous offer for those wishing to use his at-cost Disc Printing Service - especially useful for those without a printer with a ‘print-to-disc’ function - the details for which can be found here…

Captain Danielsan’s Blu Ray and DVD Disc Printing Service Thread - A project for all:-

http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Captain-Danielsans-Blu-Ray-and-DVD-Disc-Printing-Service-Thread-A-project-for-all/id/59006

 

Another kind and generous member here has offered to provide disc labels and label resources for the community at large to use with your preservation or fan edit projects etc.

More info can be found here…

One69chev’s disc art and label extravaganza’:-

http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/One69chevs-disc-art-and-label-extravaganza/id/59192

 

Adhesive Disc Labels…

I’d stay clear of the adhesive disc labels - they are more trouble than they are worth - causing issues for many people using them; usually resulting in bubbling on the disc, players refusing to play them, excessive noise coming from the dvd player due to balance issues, chemicals in the adhesives running through onto the disc… and over time… the disc being ruined.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/media/2159-never-sticky-label.html

http://forum.cakewalk.com/labelling-CDs-amp-DVD39s-with-paper-labels-m2334527.aspx

https://www.supermediastore.com/pages/inkjet-printable-dvdr-cdr-ink-print-media-faq

 

Disc Cases / Boxes…

Amaray seem to be held in very high regard when it comes to storing your discs in cases - lots of choices, colours, for dvd and blu ray - in various sizes.

They also do cases which hold up anything from a couple of discs up to around 23 discs each - link
 

Though ebay, amazon and likely your local stationery shop or market store also stock other quality cases too.
 

A couple of decent discussions on the differing sizing of cases:-

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=102650 & http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=80758
 

Criterion blu ray cases are the same height as a normal blu ray case - though has a 14mm spine (unless specified otherwise):-

http://www.casetopia.com/Criterion_Single_Disc_Blu_ray_Case_14mm_p/br1-cri.htm
 

Casetopia has had some good reviews from members on here buying replacement / alternative cases too - http://www.casetopia.com/

 

Alternative options to store your Star Wars content on…

‘A Star Wars USB Drive Box, Case, Tape, Tin, Frame, Figure & Cover Thread…’ - link

 

Jackpumpkinhead’s superb ‘Guide for How To Make Your Own Custom Box Set - for DVD / Blu Ray’ etc

http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/GUIDE-How-To-Make-Your-Own-Custom-Box-For-DVDAVCHDBLURAY-Sets-Work-in-Progress/id/57844

 

Personally…

I’m still using my old trusty Epson R300 Printer - which prints ‘direct to disc’ and also prints on the usual A4 size paper for DVD / Blu Ray covers.

It must be getting on for 14 years now - and still prints in a high quality to both paper and disc 😃

An elegant printer for a more civilised age… 😉