Help printing on CDs with an Epson

I just got an Epson R200 specifically for the purpose of printing on inkjet printable media. I must be looking in the wrong places, because I can't find answers for what seem to me like obvious questions!

1. How far to load the printable CD/DVD tray into the printer. The manual shows you how to load the discs into the removable tray, but not how far to insert the tray into the printer! If I keep pushing, it keeps on going farther back into the printer.

2. Is there no way to use a DIFFERENT labeling program (instead of Epson's), but still print CDs on the Epson Printer?

3. There's no preset template for a "full-faced" or "hub-printable" CD or DVD? I'm supposed to measure and enter the dimensions myself? If I'm off by a mm, it will throw the whole thing off. I don't even have a ruler that shows freakin' milimeters!

Any help would be appreciated. My "Christmas Projects" are in limbo

 

The CD tray and the printer guide both have indicating triangles on them.

Line the white ones on the tray with the black ones on the flip down guide.

As for the disk size, there is an icon for changing the size of the outer and inner diameters.

I usually set the inner to 20 and outer 119 mm for full face and inner to 39 mm for others.

The worse you can do is leave a white line on a disc or print over the edge if you get it wrong.

The latter won't hurt, just wipe it away, the former can be reprinted with a new setting if you don't remove it, it will still line up.

I don't think your going to get a better print software for that printer.

It is very easy to use and easy to import from scanned images or from files.

Using the resizing function just expand any imported image to cover the template.

 

I am looking at buying one of the Epson CD/DVD printers and maybe someone can shed some light. I currently have a Lezmark 5150 all in one printer/scanner. Now if I want to copy an image of a DVD lets say Mr & Mrs Smith. Will I do this with the Lexmark Scanner and then transpose thru the Epson SW and then onto the disk or is there an easier / different way?

 

The Epson Print CD software has the option to print from imported image.
Click the twain button and it will activate your scanner and display on the disc template.

You will then need to expand the image to the correct size of the template and away you go.

If I get a disk with a crap picture i.e. a silver finish with just black writing, then I tend to download a cover from www.cdcovers.cc which has one of the best online covers libraries.

So you could just use this download method as the preferred choice to make things easier, but the scanning is quick and easy as well.

 

BigDk...

Thanks soo much. I have seen that CD/DVD librabry and are pretty impressed. Now if I understand correctly the Epson SW will work with this CD library?

I use Databecker and this will not interface with the CD library...

 

Yes, I use it all the time.
Just download the image to PC and then in software, select import image from file and select the downloaded picture.

Another place to look for covers is here, as it lists all the host sites:
http://www.dvd-covers.com/

 

bigDK really has this down, but i'll throw in my 2 cents anyway.
once you grab the cover from cdcovers.cc, you can import the image to the printCD program. then you'll need to stretch it onto the template. i usually over-stretch it a little to make sure i get the whole thing and so i don't have the cd border printed onto the disc.

also, you might want to spray some clear coat on the disc when you're done, just so it won't smudge

cdcovers.cc easily has the biggest selection, but sometimes the quality isn't the best. look for "custom" labels that people have made, those usual come out looking great.

hirescovers.com is the best site for newer dvd releases and has all custom covers in extremely high res. you have to register, but its free.

covers.to is another site, not great, but sometimes they'll have a custom cover that cdcovers.cc doesn't have

you just need practice doing this. i've done over a hundred and have it down to a science, i'm sure you'll get there in time also.

 

Rooster...great info and thnaks for the sites...

"Clear Coat" something you buy at Home Depot or what exactly....first I have heard of this...

 

I use Ghiant Ink Jet Satin fixative spray.
Buy mine from SVP in the UK.
I suppose you should be able to find a suitable alternative for where ever you are located.
Its definately worth the effort to use the fixative, as they look better and don't suffer from smudging.

 

yeah, i've bought it at craft stores, but i'm sure a home depot would have it. i use krylon gloss clear coat and put a couple of thin layers on the disc after i print. others on this forum swear by using Patricia Nomick's spray on their discs.
make sure you put light coats on. you don't want to get it wet and soaked. it will look awful.

 

Another problem I've had, is where the disk is not flat enough and spray has got to the underside, this then mucks up the end of the disk.
Been forced to clean with Steel-fix stainless steel pan cleaner, as this works for me every time.

 

OK, some more questions guys. Does every inkjet printable disc smudge unless you put this spray coat on them, or is it just used as a protectant and not actually necessary? I just printed my first discs on my Epson R200 and the covers have a mostly black background. After 24 hours, I still get black on my fingers when I rub over it. I used a Memorex inkjet printable disc (white) and printed on the "text and image" setting figuring it would use less black ink than if it were set to "photo." On the "print color correction setting" I left it at default. If I make it lighter, will it help the ink dry better and keep the nice quality or will colors look washed out?

My 2 cents: In my experience, covers.cc has the best SELECTION of covers (I only use DVD though, Im not "up" on how their game covers, etc. are). However, I think covers.to has a lot better QUALITY covers and it's interface is a lot cleaner and easier to navigate in my opinion. Usually if I can't find what I'm looking for at covers.to I check .cc!

I'm on my way to check out hirescovers.com now, I haven't heard of this one!

 

i've noticed that a dark cover will smudge no matter how long it dries. this is especially true for printing at higher quality. thats why i started using the spray. and i'm using taiyo yuden printables, which are very high quality. i might watch out for those memorex ones, theres a lot of hatred towards that brand on this forum.

as for the spray getting on the bottom of the disc, i actually print the disc before i burn it (i have that much faith in my plextor), buy also i use the bottom half of a slim jewel case (to mount the disc on) so i know that i'm not ruining the bottom of the disc.

try that out.

 

Thanks for the tip.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most obvious, and then are all too easy to overlook.

 

I get the majority of my covers here:
http://covers.to/index.php

I go for the higher resolution pics.

Here's some more:

http://www.customcdlabels.com/

http://www.generetic.org/

http://www.hirescovers.com/

Need some quality ink for cheap? Go here:

http://private.abacus24-7.com/(rhys.../driver.aspx?topic=compatibility&compat=12973

Looks great,and I just ordered 3 sets for $55. You can't even get 1 set for that price at staples/office depot/or walmart.Those glossy full size case covers look sweet off my r-200.

I have no smudging after a couple minutes out of the printer with the abacus ink.

BTW: If anybody wanting the epson r-320,Staples has them on sale this week for around $129 after rebate.

 

Grovery,

I have found another piece of software that supports direct cd/dvd printing. It's made by Acoustica and supports the Epson printers. It does a FAR superior job, has templates for full face (hub) printable and non-hub (large hole) printable media.

Find it here:

http://www.acoustica.com/cd-label-maker/

 

Cheers for the link Woodbane.
I already use a few bits of software from acoustica already so I know they make good programs that are easy to use.

I'll be trying it tonight.

 

Thanks for your help guys! I realized that the CD labeling program that I always use now supports the Epson R200. I haven't actually tried printing from Surething yet, but did realize (after an update) that I could. I did check out the Acoustica program- looks good. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm still having trouble with the ink smudging on the printable disks. I've heard people say that their ink dries in 24 hours, but perhaps they aren't talking about the printable CDs (maybe cardstock or some other printing surface). Has anyone found printable inkjet media that doesn't smudge or is it just something everyone has to deal with? I have a disk that's been sitting about a week and I can still rub the black off just by running a dry finger over it. It's not actually WET, it's dry to the touch. So far I've used the Memorex printables and just tried a Verbatim hub printable one. It's only been about 12 hours for that one, but a tried a small spot and got black. FYI, both disks had predominantly black backgrounds and I'm not sure if this is lending to the problem!?

I did go buy the Nimocks spray at Walmart. I now know what you all mean when you say "orange peel." I must practice a couple more times before I really get serious! I just wish it was as easy as I thought it would be, you know? Just stick the disc in and print and in a couple of hours your ready to go...

If I can "master the spray," I guess it'll be OK. I'm sort of worried though that down the line we'll find out that the spray harmed the disk, you know? Has anyone have any info or opinions on this?

Gettin' late, gotta go. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

My full hub discs dry withing 5 minutes.No smudges.Same goes for my full size case cover-in glossy photopaper. I use Maxell +8x: Maxell-002-00 from Wal-Mart/Office Depot- and also Verbatim +8x:MCC-003.

I posted a replay to a chap in the UK in another forum and he has same trouble with the case cover not drying-smudging-using his r-300.

I get my discount ink at private.abacus and it's just as good as the epson ink.

I prefer the darker covers.They look better.The lighter ones look more faded.

 

the spray can be a little tricky to master. you have to use it very lightly. i actually just switched to the nimocks spray, and i just spray (from 1.5 to 2 feet away) a light, even coat, and then let that dry for 10-15 minutes and give it another light coat. they look great, and don't smudge.