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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
DVD printing

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AbracadabraTV
User

Jan 16, 2008, 8:36 AM

Post #1 of 28 (1435 views)
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DVD printing	Can't Post

I'm sure that this topic is ever evolving and I could use some help. I've given up on large DVD/CD ink jet labels due to imbalance issues and have been using core type labels. These are tiny and difficult to regester in the printer.
What is the DVD printing method de jure? I own a duplicator so I do not wish to purchase a stand alone all in one printer/duplicator robot. Is there a highly reliable way to produce custom printed DVD's? I've looked into thermal "Brother" types but they seem limited in color,etc.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Best, Craig
www.KeysTV.com

Bob A
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 9:16 AM

Post #2 of 28 (1432 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

By far the best solution is the Epson line of photo/disc printers. Very easy software allows you to print anything, anywhere in any color on the disc. You can import any picture or graphics. Their printers can be found cheap; I just bought another R-260 for $49 at Staples, just as a spare. People bitch that after a while you will have to give the tray a slight nudge to get it to feed but that is just a very minor irritation. Epson ink is ridiculously expensive but you can get generic inks very cheap.

DGates
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 9:26 AM

Post #3 of 28 (1430 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

I use a Casio thermal printer. It's still chugging along after a couple of years. The one-color ribblons (blue, red, green, silver, black) may be limiting, but I'm happy with it. I put all the design work into the case sleeve, and keep the discs as simple as possible. After all, people look at the case a lot more than the disc.

Bob A
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 10:39 AM

Post #4 of 28 (1416 views)
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Re: [DGates] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

I tried a Casio for on-site personalizaton of 'Instant' discs and found it was so limited and almost every print had some little piece of the printing missing that a marker looked better.

glimmer
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 11:16 AM

Post #5 of 28 (1407 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

read the archives.

i use a microboards gx2 - wonderful unit.

AbracadabraTV
User

Jan 16, 2008, 6:07 PM

Post #6 of 28 (1376 views)
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Re: [glimmer] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you all for the feedback...I think that the microboards gx2 will be too costly for me to purchase just as a printer as I do have a large capacity duplicator. For the price, I'll give the Epson a shot. Does it smear?

RT Steele
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 6:28 PM

Post #7 of 28 (1371 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've given up on large DVD/CD ink jet labels due to imbalance issues

I used those to do music CD's years ago before blank label media was available. Never had balance issues but the adhesive on those things eats through to the CD eventually.

My R200 is still chugging along... I'm using a feeder tray from a piece of crap R220 which doesn't have that plastic strip on the end - it's a solid wedge. No "nudge" necessary.

- RT

DGates
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 6:32 PM

Post #8 of 28 (1369 views)
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Re: [Bob A] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I tried a Casio for on-site personalizaton of 'Instant' discs and found it was so limited and almost every print had some little piece of the printing missing that a marker looked better.

That's interesting, because my unit did that at first too. But not anymore.

JC/DV
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 7:15 PM

Post #9 of 28 (1362 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, you have been given some really good suggestions, and I kid you not--I actually saw one of these be the print method of choice for a wedding videographer's demo disc:

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.

Bob A
Veteran

Jan 16, 2008, 9:03 PM

Post #10 of 28 (1347 views)
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Re: [DGates] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

That's interesting, because my unit did that at first too. But not anymore.

I was only willing to waste a dozen or so discs before I gave up on it. It just didn't suit my needs anyway.

Timothy Harry
Veteran

Jan 17, 2008, 12:33 AM

Post #11 of 28 (1323 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

dont mess with the HP's....still regretting tat decision....

Tim Harry

Bandwagon Media
Odessa, TX

"I'd rather be a conservative nut job than a liberal with no nuts and no job."

DGates
Veteran

Jan 17, 2008, 12:59 AM

Post #12 of 28 (1316 views)
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Re: [Timothy Harry] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

One thing's for sure. There are so many varied ways to print graphics on discs these days. Whether it be labels, ink jet printables, lightscribe, thermal, watershield, screenprint, etc.

Daniel
Veteran

Jan 17, 2008, 1:45 AM

Post #13 of 28 (1310 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Craig,

Get the 260 or 380 Epson. Do NOT get the R200 or 300.

They are the offspring of Lucifer himself. Mad

"Happiness is beating your good friend by one stroke with a birdie on the 18th hole" Me

Dave Williams
Veteran

Jan 17, 2008, 2:28 AM

Post #14 of 28 (1309 views)
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Re: [Daniel] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Have you users of the R260/Mac OS ever had the job go into the print queue and the print queue just stops? We used to just be able to set paper for A4, bring up Page Setup and that would fix it but now we're DOA. Can't get it to print discs. I even downloaded the latest Discus software which used to work flawlessly but now we are stuck with jobs backing up. Help!
-
Dave Williams
Tirelessly making the world a smoother place for event videographers

Daniel
Veteran

Jan 17, 2008, 2:44 AM

Post #15 of 28 (1306 views)
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Re: [Dave Williams] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Have you opened Printer Set-up Utility and deleted the profile and re-added it?

"Happiness is beating your good friend by one stroke with a birdie on the 18th hole" Me

AbracadabraTV
User

Jan 18, 2008, 8:33 AM

Post #16 of 28 (1211 views)
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Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks again for the feedback. I just ordered an Epson R 280. On sale @$29.99 after $70.. rebate from Epson with purchase of new camera or computer. What image software do you suggest to create the DVD label? Is it as simple as using photoshop and creating the art within a circular white mask or is specific "CD Label" software required?
Thanks again, Craig

Ronny
User

Jan 18, 2008, 10:59 AM

Post #17 of 28 (1203 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

Epson has a nice little software program that comes with the printer. It might be all you need.

For our corporate, high volume work, we've used the Bravo printers with much success. I'd like to see the WaterShield discs come down in price because the end result looks very professional.

--------------------------------------------
FCP - Panasonic AG-DVX100B - GC4000

MarshallM
Veteran

Jan 18, 2008, 2:34 PM

Post #18 of 28 (1178 views)
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Re: [Ronny] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

I'd like to see the WaterShield discs come down in price because the end result looks very professional.

While tight budgets usually rule in our profession, I say you should be using the Watershields, no matter what the cost. Don't skimp on aesthetics because your brides will absolutely love the image the Watershields produce. ALWAYS give your customers the very best quality that you can provide.

Marshall

KevinShaw
Veteran

Jan 18, 2008, 6:18 PM

Post #19 of 28 (1132 views)
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Re: [Ronny] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I'd like to see the WaterShield discs come down in price because the end result looks very professional.

The way I see it, an extra 30-40 cents per disc to make the finished product look vastly better to the customer is money well spent. For simple projects like a $25 VHS transfer I still use cheaper discs, but for a $1500+ wedding video the extra cost is trivial. Same goes for Blu-ray discs even though $8-10 per disc sounds like a lot: just be sure to buy one rewritable disc for your test burns and get client approval of the content before making the Blu-ray copies!

RustyB
Veteran

Jan 20, 2008, 2:25 AM

Post #20 of 28 (1060 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

FWIW, switching from TY Premium 8x Inkejt Printables, to the 16x Watershields, has gave me some pretty poor results. Major playback problems. They have a nice glossy surface, but it's NOT worth the much lowered compatibility. So far I've wasted about $250 on software, hardware, and discs, trying to make them work, but have thrown about 20 discs in the garbage so far. I should have just stuck with the 8x, which will play on anything.

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

AbracadabraTV
User

Jan 20, 2008, 6:56 AM

Post #21 of 28 (1032 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Rusty for that info....I currently use Verbatum 4x with a white prinatble surface. I have yet to print on them, but I have had excellant compatability results. I think that I'll stick with that medium as I was tempeted to switch to the TI based on the previous suggestions. I also plan to switch to Super Jewel Boxes http://www.sleevetown.com/...?adwords=super-jewel and simply have the printed DVD float in the clear case. Thanks again for the feedback.
Best, Craig

VidMan
Veteran

Jan 20, 2008, 8:58 AM

Post #22 of 28 (1025 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] DVD printing [In reply to]	Can't Post

I tried many different ones but found a 10 disc duplicator and a rack of Epson printers was the most reliable and quickest way to produce a large number of DVDs.

Brian
______________________________________________
VU Virginia Chapter

RustyB
Veteran

Jan 20, 2008, 11:22 AM

Post #23 of 28 (1000 views)
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Re: [AbracadabraTV] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....I also plan to switch to Super Jewel Boxes http://www.sleevetown.com/...?adwords=super-jewel and simply have the printed DVD float in the clear case. Thanks again for the feedback.
Best, Craig

Hey, I like those. Since I now offer a minimally edited video, that doesn't include a printed case and all that crap, those Super Jewel Boxes would look a lot nicer than the plain jewel cases I'm using. I'll have to pick some up! Thanks!

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

JC/DV
Veteran

Jan 20, 2008, 11:34 AM

Post #24 of 28 (998 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....I also plan to switch to Super Jewel Boxes http://www.sleevetown.com/...?adwords=super-jewel and simply have the printed DVD float in the clear case. Thanks again for the feedback.
Best, Craig

One neat thing about those cases is that you can put 2 DVDs on top of each other on the same mount... if needed.

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.

RustyB
Veteran

Jan 20, 2008, 12:21 PM

Post #25 of 28 (990 views)
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Re: [JC/DV] Label artwork [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....I also plan to switch to Super Jewel Boxes http://www.sleevetown.com/...?adwords=super-jewel and simply have the printed DVD float in the clear case. Thanks again for the feedback.
Best, Craig

One neat thing about those cases is that you can put 2 DVDs on top of each other on the same mount... if needed.

Yeah, that will be perfect. Some of these "unedited" videos are going to run long, I suspect. Then again, I shot one last night, and came home with a total of 40 minutes of footage...and that's AFTER I shot a bunch of extra crap just so the DVD would be longer than 7 minutes. Normally I won't be shooting "extra" stuff like that...no casual dancing, no footage of the B&G greeting guests, etc. If I had stuck to my contract, last night's video would have been a 2 minute ceremony, 30 second cake cutting, 2 minutes of toasts, 20 second bokay toss, and 2 minutes of first dance. That's all. Laugh

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

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