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.

One of the extremely important things is to use some kind of printing method outside of using labels.  Stick on labels are just bad for DVD.  A misapplied label unbalances the disc (it does not take much) making it prone to errors and the possibility of the label coming loose in the recorder.

The choices for printing in a DVD recordable disc are based on several factors.  Budget, how much money do you want to spend?, What is the usage you expect from the printer? and how involved to you want to be in the printing process?

The technologies that are available fall into 4 categories: thermal transfer, thermal re transfer, dye sublimation and inkjet printing.

Thermal print DVDs are the least expensive to label both on the low end home user thermal printer and production printing with the Rimage Prism Plus. It’s strength is in text printing and simple graphics.  With a three color ribbon the Prism Plus can print multiple colors but in a very simplistic manner. thermal printers have printer ribbon consumables and print-heads which are also considered consumable. On a low end unit it’s not replaceable.  Larger units like the Rimage Prism Plus can be replaced in the range of $400 for the print-head.

Inkjet disc printing provides excellent color blending and higher resolution.  DVD inkjet printing also provides an excellent means of reproducing images and with the right DVD media you can get printing that is better then silk-screen printing. One of the major things to keep an eye on is the price of the consumables like printer ink cartridges.  Depending on the printer one can have between 1 and 4 cartridges.  The more the better for color ink efficiency.  Another factor is if the cartridge is available from specialized resellers (that is a proprietary cartridge) or does it use a standard ink cartridge that is available for a wide range of printers. Print-heads is another expense with all printers.  Inkjet is usually built into the cartridge but many of the 4 cartridge printers also require 2 print-heads that need to be replaced every 20,000 prints.

Thermal re-transfer and it’s close cousin dye sublimation are similar to thermal printing except they have a transfer ribbon as an intermediary print area before the multi color print is transferred to the disc.  this allows for higher temperatures and a one time pass on the optical disc.  Thermal transfer liquefies the ink and dye sublimation creates a gas.  Both create a indelible color print that is glossy and appears to have a high resolution.  Dye sublimation (depending on who is advertising which technology) tends to have a better print but at the cost of speed.

As you can see there are a few variables involved in choosing the right DVD printer.  This is why it is important to purchase from a company that can educate you so you can make the most informed decision.  No one is being done a favor in being oversold or undersold on a specific piece of equipment.  Each one has it’s place.  Your supplier should be able to explain each technology and it’s strengths and weaknesses.