I've read other threads but they are too old.

I am wondering what printer to get to replace my Lexmark 4650 and the Kodak ESP7250 that I just bought cause it's junk too.

I'm looking for something that prints, scans, copies and possibly prints onto DVD's too.

Also, do you have to buy new ink or do you use a refill option? What does ink run you? Is it hard to find?

I want awesome quality, but want to avoid paying over $400ish dollars, but I'm open to anything you guys and girls recommend.

Thanks,
Kelly

I think you'll find the media makes as much or more difference in the appearance of the DVD. Tayio Yuden Water Shield disks are virtually indistinguishable from a good retail DVD label, at least on my printer (a Disc Makers Autograph 7.) Even when I was using my cheapie Epson R300 they looked great.

It also very important to me that my printer take widely available print cartridges. My printer uses HP cartridges that are available at Target, Wal-Mart, OfficeMax, et al. If I run out of ink during a particularly large order, I can just run over to the store and pick one up, I don't need to order online and wait a week.

I can print up to 500 DVDs with a pair of ink cartridges, so I don't bother with refills. I have used them in the past and never had (much) trouble, but I'd rather not take a chance.

I just did some more test prints on the Kodak printer (if I can get it to recognize the "paper size") They look like crud. I've read that I have to use Kodak paper, but I use SureThing Labels to make my DVD covers and disc covers.

I'm just looking for a printer that works well. Prints excellent on all types of glossy / matte and photo paper.

You can print up to 400 disc labels. That seems really good.

Oh, you're using stick-on labels? Those are potentially bad for DVD players.

I'd suggest getting a printer that can print directly on the face of the DVD. Then buy Water Shield disks. You'll be amazed at how good your DVDs can look.

Look into something like an Epson Stylus Photo 1400. They're only about $200.

I've got 2 R200s and a 1400 which has become my workhorse. It is a great printer and because of the size it'll produce I've done 13X19 prints for family. Paper was hard to find at a reasonable price but regardless. I've been using the TY (now JVC) Watershield discs for 3 years and they look great! Even when it's text only it just looks super.

Don, is this your model? Epson Stylus Photo R200 Ink Jet Printer

On Amazon it's got a over 52 1 Star reviews.

Seems to be working well for you.

Hmmm. Seems like printers are getting cheaper in quality and more expensive in ink.

Hi Kelly

I have a couple of Epson R290's ($129.00 here!!) and they do a great job. I print directly onto the DVD's as inkjet printable DVD's are so common now. For the DVD covers I use Epson Photo Quality Inkjet paper and get a great result. I have tried generic cartridges and generic paper and it's really better to bit the bullet and buy the genuine stuff...our local cartridges produced strange colours!!!!

Yeah, ink is expensive..the R290's use 6 cartridges at $22.00 each so new cartridges cost more than the printer!!

I really wouldn't skimp of quality as the DVD is the first thing the bride sees!!!! and you want a good impression!!

Chris

Yeah the R200s were the boss when they came out but after many hundred and hundred and hundreds of discs and paper for cases they finally gave up the ghost one at a time but they will still print on bond paper in so I keep them around. I got the 1400 for the size it will print more than anything else and it's been very solid but yeah the cost of ink is kinda steep but it looks so good...

Hmmm. Seems like printers are getting cheaper in quality and more expensive in ink.

That's the business model - sell the printers at a loss and make it up on the consumables.

One last question regarding the DVD's that you can print on. Do they have a matte finish or a photo like finish?

Or do you know a brand that has the photo like finish?

JVC Taiyo Yuden White Inkjet Hub Printable 8X DVD-R Media (Premium Line) 100 Pack in Tape Wrap - SuperMediaStore.com (http://www.supermediastore.com/product/u/taiyo-yuden-white-inkjet-printable-8x-dvd-r-media-100?gclid=CML7gdu836ECFQ5biAodIQvDPg&filter=Printable%3DHub+Printable%7C&max=15&offset=0)

This is what you want:

JVC Taiyo Yuden Water Shield White Inkjet Hub Printable 16X DVD-R Media 100 Pack in Cake Box - SuperMediaStore.com (http://www.supermediastore.com/product/u/taiyo-yuden-16x-dvd-r-media-water-shield-white-inkjet-hub-printable-100pk-in-cake-box-spindle?search=water+shield+dvd&max=15&offset=0)

Hands down the best!

Most printable DVDs and CDs have a matte finish. However, there are varying degrees of "matte-ness". I've used some Ritek disks that have a very nice semi-gloss finish but at matte disk prices.

However if you really want the nice glossy "factory-made" look, you want to get TY Water Shield, or Disc Makers HydroShield (which I suspect are just rebranded TY Water Shield disks.) They cost about twice as much as quality matte disks, but are well worth it.

I use TY matte and WaterShields in my Epson R300. I also use refillable inks. I worked it out that a full set of ink cartridges (CMYK + LM and LC) is $13.50. I can buy the same set at OfficeMax/Depot/Staples for $80. It's a no brainer to refill inks. The prints are also as good as with the Epson ink. I get mt ink from inksupply.com, and TY DVDs from mediasupply.com. Media Supply is local to me so I get next my orders the next day.

I'm using Epson R220 for about 3-4 years now - the tray starts to slip so soon I'll replace for another Epson :-)

Thanks Ben.

I'm also using Epson Artisan 50 printer + TY Watersheild DVD printing with Continuous Ink system.

I'm also using Epson Artisan 50 printer + TY Watersheild DVD printing with Continuous Ink system.

Hey Taky, Which CIS system and ink are you using? How good do you rate it? Do you have any problems with ink drying and clogging the print heads?

I'm using Epson R220 for about 3-4 years now - the tray starts to slip so soon I'll replace for another Epson :-)

Lukas, rub the back of the disk tray with an abrasive paper like sand paper etc it makes a lot of difference and the slipping should stop.

Hey Taky, Which CIS system and ink are you using? How good do you rate it? Do you have any problems with ink drying and clogging the print heads?

Jim, I tried 3 CISS from ebay and other online reseller. The one I am using now is very good. Ink quality is great. No clogging. I have to prime the ink once in a while using the printer utility.

I have recommended the one I am using to other members. However, some said their customer service is horrible. So i don't want to endorse them publicly. If you are interested, email me at info@lacolorshop.com and I'll tell you =)

Sorry to disagree with my pal Chris Harding but the DVD box is what the bride sees, not the DVD. That's why we put money into a classy, well designed but simple insert but leave the DVD face clean with just the necessary text and our logo. The only time the disc is seen is when it's being taken out of the box and put into the player say 15 secs.

Only the TY watershield-type discs don't need spraying - which gives you the option of spraying with gloss or matte. We use bog-standard cellulose not the expensive so-called specialist cans - we're protecting the surface of a piece of plastic - not rocket science.

The only exception are our demo discs which we have face printed and sprayed by the 1000 - then burn the to need.

Phillip,

I agree with you on the initial impact the appearance the DVD box offers...what program do you use to create the photo / graphic layout for the DVD container exterior / sleeve?

I have recently heard of "BelightSoft" but I am interested in what you and others are
using for quality and simplicity.

Thanks,

John Reilly

I use Corel Draw - formerly v8 - just upgraded to X5. I'm sure there'll be a host of "old fart" sighs if not responses (and I've always stuck with what I know and works eg I still use WordPerfect as a word processor) but for the insert you could use practically any drawing programme which allows you to work in layers.

We created a template which prints cutting marks, line up marks for the spine and the two faces. The bottom layer is all the guides which aren't to be printed.

The second layer carries all the static text and guides which do print.

The third layer carries the variable material.

It takes about 10 minutes to create the insert. We print on a colour Xerox laser printer on 90gsm paper.

We grab a still from the programme for the front, use delicate, subtle greys for the text and an equally subtle logo on the reverse.

In fact the loudest thing on the case is the holographic sticker which shows we've paid the PPL copyright release licence fee (£5 per disk) which the UK recording industry has had the brilliant good sense to invent.

Overall it's definitely not rocket science.

Hi Philip

You do of course realise now that I'm heartbroken??? However you are right and we not only give the bride a printed DVD BUT also the very best case sleeve that we can. I have to admit that I only use plastic cases (and even those seem hard to find now so I buy 'em in boxes of 100) I do take time with choosing the still for the face of the cover and each and every time I present the bride with her DVD set, the FIRST thing she does is look at the cover photo!! Luckily I must be doing something right because the comments are always postive!!

A photographer friend does his albums using simple supermarket style albums and when I was doing photography I always used to buy special white wedding albums with embossed gold lettering and present it in it's box complete with a tissue paper wrap. This always had the desired effect and created a good impression from the very start (if the wrapping is good then the rest must be good!!!)

Maybe extra special presentation for the DVD case (a nice white box with tissue paper) is what's needed??? I supply 3 DVD sets ..(one for the B&G, and one for each parent so I'd have to have 3 boxes)
The marketing guys swear that packaging is 90% of the sale so should we also look at packaging more carefully????

Chris

This is what I did for the DVD and BluRay package. Both include the disc label design and DVD/Bluray case insert.

I use Photoshop for all the design work. For the DVD insert, I printed using Epson inkjet printer on letter size photo paper on the top left. I only need to trim the bottom and right side. I have included the link to the template you can download here

BluRay Case Insert Template for Download | L.A. Color Blog (http://lacolorshop.com/blog/view.asp?id=66)

Hi Philip

You do of course realise now that I'm heartbroken??? (snipped)

Chris

Yes but I knew you Aussies could take it!

Seriously, you're absolutely right - packaging is as important as the product itself - and that includes writing literate letters, nicely laid out, making smart, effective websites, right down to wearing polished shoes on the job. It's all part of our product and reflect on the way we do our job.