CD/DVD/BluRay Disc Printing Methods

There are a handful of methods used to print text and images on optical media. Each has its own niche depending on whether the info is basic text or elaborate art with photos and color logos. The number of discs will also have a huge impact on choosing the best method for a particular job. If you are interested in purchasing a printer you can click on any of the bolded headlines for a link to those printers on our website. Here's a brief description,and review of each of the available methods.

Paper labels printer with Laser or Inkjet systems:
Bad method, turn and run from this. Applying a paper label to a disc can cause potential vibrations due to imbalance and can cause severe data degradation. 

Thermal:
Good for basic text down to 6 pt. fonts. Very low cost per disc and is able to print to the lowest cost, lacquer surfaces. The two best known  manufacturers of these printers are Rimage Corp and CopyPro. Stand alone printers cost between $3,500.00 and $8,000.00 with automated transporters available for high volume operations. These printers are known for their durability and reliability.

Thermal Retransfer:
Excellent for color work requiring an indelible or totally durable print. Cost per disc are high. Print ribbons runs about thirty cents per disc plus about an extra dime for the special surface. This does not include the base price of the disc. These printers are made by Rimage and Teac. Stand alone printers cost approximately $8,000.00 with automation available.

Inkjet:
Excellent for color but not good in the durability column. These prints will smear or run if they get moisture on them. Costs per disc vary from under a dime to over thirty cents per disc plus the additional cost of the special surface, about a dime more. Entry level printers can be found for a couple hundred dollars while fairly robust production printers with automation exist for about 2,000.00. It would appear that there are a lot of manufacturers of these printers but the reality is they are either made by HP, Lexmark or Epson. For instance the Microboards printers are all based on HP engines.

Silk Screen:
This is not a method you will do at your office or home due to the enormous cost and difficulty in operation. Screen printing has been widely used in the mass production of discs since the inception of CD. The results are generally decent although photos and colors are not at their best here. If color matching a single color is required this is a good solution. PMS colors are routinely run on these printers.This method is expensive until the quantities reach 1K and above.

Offset:
A relative newcomer to the field, offset has become the choice of many for mass produced discs requiring high end color work. Like screen this is a very expensive and massive system to operate and won't be found in general business environments. Also, like screen, costs are high until the volume reaches about 1K.