Digital Workshop

Rob,

We've been using the Epson 950 since you recommended it to me a couple of years ago. We've produced several hundred copies on it without fault, so I trust your judgement!

As you've also got a Pixma, do you recommend that too? I was just about to order the i9950, not for printing CDs, but for A3 photo printing. (Not for business either... I just want to have a go!)

Pixmania have got it for 350 pounds, though I suspect this is without ink; I'm waiting to speak to them on Monday.

Linda

Hi Linda,
The Canon i9950 has very good reputation among photographers, as does the Epson R1800 - I haven't used either of them, but if I were in the market for A3 printer, they would be my shortlist (might also take a look at the comparable HP model).

Our Xerox A3+ digital printer went back, and we now have small dye sublimation printers and a large format Epson 4000 (A2+ or 30metre roll) running archive inks which I'm very pleased with ...you need to be sitting down before checking the price of a full set of ink for the 4000 though!

Best wishes,
Rob

Hi guys,

New to this forum.

Just need a little advice.

Basically, I'm looking into producing great quality graphics on CD's.

However, I'd love to be able to get the professional finish that companies do. I.e how do they produce the shiny silver surface that reflects light? I mean some of them have text that is silver and reflective! How do they do that? On my Epson R220, I can't print out silver. I can just print out grey which looks dull.

Are there any printers that print out silver??? Or do I presume that these companies don't actually PRINT the silver, they just leave gaps - like a silhouette of silver, because the original surface is silver itself.

I mean, I have tried this as well, on the Epson R220, using silver inkjet printable cdrs, but all colours have this almost see through silver tinge!

All I want is solid graphics (which you can't see through) and silver text!

Am I right in saying I need a thermal printer???

Any advice would be appreciated.

This is what they do - you would need printables with no white surface, just a transparent printable laminate layer. I don't know if such a thing exists; but if not I'm afraid the only way would be to use professional mastering - which is only cost effective for large runs.

I work closely with a CD & DVD replicator (as opposed to duplicators -- like you burn on YOUR home computer). I've made multimedia presentations for them, and I know the original CDs/DVDs come out of the press/stamp as clear plastic, but they will not play as such because the laser beam would pass through clear plastic -- so they always apply a thin layer of silver which reflects the laser back into the sensor which reads the disc.

The cost of replicating CDs has come way down from years ago. My clients get 1000 CD-ROMs in paper sleeves with plastic windows for under $700 USD, that's with a 3-colour silkscreened label! Contact me off line if you'd like the name of the firm I use. They turn projects in 7 days or less.

Thanks for the help.

To be honest, I'm just looking to make fancy artwork at home on a couple of my CDs. I don't NEED the silver, I'd just prefer it. And as I thought about silver, it became more and more obvious it's almost impossible!

I'm rather suprised it's that hard to be honest.

Oh well....

If you use a search engine to look up "silver printable" you will find that there are plenty of such things available.

For examples:
http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=116
http://www.aprmedia.com/product.php?pid=2544

Just an update on a printing option.

Purchased a TDK LPCW-100 thermal printer. It prints onto silver top and other CDs.

Two print areas top and bottom of CD, and you can get enough useful info on there. Takes 50sec from hitting print to having a printed unsmudgeable CD.

Final result looks very good - well, I'm happy with it. One black ink cartridge is about £5 inc VAT and does 20 CDs so, approx 25 pence per CD.

For my purposes, although it is a compromise, it's quick, gives a 'professional' look that won't smudge, and is far cheaper and more convenient than paying a print house to do the job.

Bought mine from www.rivieramultimedia.co.uk for £58.15 including VAT and postage.

Hope the info might be of use.

John