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DVD Printing questions...

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hi... I'd like to ask a few questions...

I want to print DVD covers BUT I'd like alot better than standard inkjet or laser printer quality.
Are there places to print out things that look almost as good as actual press-printed official DVD cover-quality?

I heard form someone that Kinko's can print out good quality things... if that's so can you please take a photo of
your printed out DVD cover for me to see the quality? That would be the greatest help of helpfulness in the world!

I would be eternaly grateful... thank you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Lord_Phillock/starwarssig.png

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Originally posted by: Lord Phillock
hi... I'd like to ask a few questions...

I want to print DVD covers BUT I'd like alot better than standard inkjet or laser printer quality.
Are there places to print out things that look almost as good as actual press-printed official DVD cover-quality?

I heard form someone that Kinko's can print out good quality things... if that's so can you please take a photo of
your printed out DVD cover for me to see the quality? That would be the greatest help of helpfulness in the world!

I would be eternaly grateful... thank you.



Hey there!

To hopefully help out here...

Yes, it is true that a standard printer (3 color + black) inkjet printers but in truth the laserjet prints (what you'll get at fedex/kinkos IF you can find someone that will print them for you - Go late at night 2-4 am the graveyard employees seem to be cooler ) are some of the best out there. BUT if you'd like to save some cash I would suggest investing in an Epson R200 or R300 (both can be had for $70-200 USD) or a Canon IP400-5000 ($150-300 USD).

Unlike the standard inkjet printers these units are photo printers and it use between 4-5 colors + black, the ink can be quite expensive for Epson ink ($60) but I've found that you can either buy a CIS (continuous ink system) for around $40-70 or use replacement carts (I've found them for as low as $15 for all 6 carts - for the Epson that is)

I use a R200 for my prints here is a sample printed on Epson S041067 Photo Quality Paper (Legal Size - 8.5 x 14) set at Photo (not best) and the advanced settings are set to Regular Paper & Standard color mode. Yes, you can read every line of text on the back also.
http://home.comcast.net/~tk420/ADM_R200_Sample.jpg

The results are even GREATER when on 5mil semi-glossy Photo Paper with setting set to Best.

I hope this helps!

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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wow.... thanks alot!

This is help indeed...

one more thing... would it be possible to just take a more detailed closeup of the sharpness on the DVD case?
just to be sure how detailed it would look like..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Lord_Phillock/starwarssig.png

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Here by popular demand are Sluggo's Helpful Tips for printing at a FedEx Kinko’s location.

1. Due to legalities of copyright, few will print it out for you, so you need to do it yourself on one of their printers. This will cost you per minute, plus the cost of the print, usually 99 cents a page.

2. I like to use a larger FedEx location; this means that they have more equipment and likely better printers. Note also that they have different kind of workstations. Make sure you use a station that has Photoshop.

3. Before you plug in, you should set up the printer. It works best if you use the multi-purpose tray. This is easier than guessing which tray is the A, B, C or whatever tray. Program the printer to feed from the MLP tray and be sure you select legal size paper and laser paper options as well.

4. Legal paper is a must. You can bring all you want but since they only charge for the copy, you can use their paper. Their stock is pretty good. If you want to bring in great paper, go for it.

5. You should make sure your prints are the right size and resolution. You don't want to have to make alterations while paying to use their paper. 7.25 by 10.8 inches does the job. A 200+ dpi resolution usually works, but I like using 300. Just a little sharper.

6. Put all your materials to be printed on a CD or jump drive. If it is your first time printing, it is a good idea to bring a small extra picture to print as a test print. If you send the test print to a printer other than the one you have access to, it's nice to have a pic that doesn't have any copyrighted material on it. That way if it goes to the wrong printer, no sweat. And make sure it is a lo-res pic so it doesn’t take a lot of time to print.

7. Lastly, cut your covers on a sharp paper cutter. If your paper-cutter isn’t so sharp, run the edge of a magic marker along the edge of your cover. If your cover is black, run a black marker along the edge of it. It will cover up any imperfections in the cut.

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"and the advanced settings are set to Regular Paper & Standard color mode."

Just out of curiosity, is this something you do with every cover despite the fact that you are printing on photo quality paper......or are you just showing off?

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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Originally posted by: MeBeJedi
"and the advanced settings are set to Regular Paper & Standard color mode."

Just out of curiosity, is this something you do with every cover despite the fact that you are printing on photo quality paper......or are you just showing off?



Yes, I do this with every cover I print, both Vivid & Photopaper use more ink so I only use these when I'm printing Photos or T-Shirt Transfers

Like I said I 86'd the CIS as I really like the pure ease of carts



“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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"Like I said I 86'd the CIS as I really like the pure ease of carts"

Agreed...since they are so darned cheap now, thanks to you.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>