Two entry level CD printers available in the marketplace are the DYMO DiscPainter and the CD Dimensions DISCPRINTER  thermal disc printer. The two represent different technologies available today.  the Dymo relies on inkjet technology and the DISCPRINTER uses thermal transfer technology.  Even more unique in the case of the DiscPainter is the radial printing technology incorporated into the DYMO DiscPrinter. Typically a CD DVD disc printer prints in a back and forth method, starting from one end of the disc to the other.  Radial printing starts in the center and works it’s way out in a concentric circle.  This can make printing much faster especially when the text or graphics is around the hub area.  There is always a trade-off and in the case of the DiscPainter it has a lower resolution then a standard CD printer.  Almost all inkjet CD printer units are 4800dpi vs. the DiscPainter which prints at 1200dpi.

The DISCPRINTER thermal printer by CD Dimensions (and very similiar to the Teac P-11 and the now discontinued Primera z1 printer, Primera part number  56300).  The only difference is the price.  The DISCPRINTER by CD Dimensions uses zone printing.  That is it prints in 4 rectangular zones only.   For simple disc labeling this is all you really need.  Unlike the DYMO DiscPainter the CD Dimensions DISCPRINTER can only print in single colors: Black, Red, Blue and Green.  However it does not require special inkjet printable media like the DiscPainter.

So which is better?  I would recomend the DISCPRINTER from CD Dimensions.  It’s inexpenisve, ribbons are economical (good for 200 imprints) and it uses less expensive media.  It is not a full color printer so if that is what is desired then the DiscPainter is a better choice.

LightScribe Discs from Microboards Technology

LightScribe uses a special recordable Light Scribe printable disc, special recording drive and special software designed for LightScribe label printing.  In a method very similar to recording a disc.  A special disc label laser’s  light causes a dye to react on the printing side of the LightScribe DVD causing a permanent change in the opacity of the dye.  This creates a monochromatic black print against the color of the disc.  LightScribe DVDs can come in different color backgrounds (gold, silver, red, blue, green) with the printed gray-scale on top.  Additional printing “burns” can create a darker image.  As LightScribe DVDs write from the inside out so images with the largest concentric size will take longer to print.  HP’s LightScribe website describes the surface needing protection from discoloration and fading by holding by the edges of the disc and not using PVC based sleeves to store the discs.  Tyvek and polypropylene based products are recommended.

Printing times can very as much as 3 minutes for a simple text label to a full 30 minutes with a full disc print.  Compared with other printing technologies this is very slow.   One way around the print time on a larger scale is to use a LightScribe Duplicator.  it can record and burn up to 10 discs at a time. Like HP likes to say “laser-etching technology by HP.  Never worry about purchasing ink or ribbon again!”