DVD Printing

[Jonathan Schwartz]

Not sure if this is the right place for this thread. I run a Mac system with FCP and DVDSP. We produce roughly 1000 DVD's per month. Currently I am still using stick on NEATO labels for the DVDs. I looked at the new microboards GX-1 but was told by their tech support that my output is more than the GX-1 is designed for. They recommended the Print Factory but that is a PC only model. What are you using for your mac system to design and print direct to DVD?

Jonathan Schwartz
Owner, CA Video Productions

[Bill Anciaux]

Jonathan,

Not sure if it's okay for me to do this (post links to vendors), but here's one you might consider for the Mac platform.

http://dvcreators.net/primera-dvd-duplicator

Also, B&H carries a wide range of duplicators for the mac platform. I would think some could handle the quantity you're talking about.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Sorry, I haven't used any of these models but would be interested in hearing from others on this topic too. How many DVDs will a SuperDrive burn before it croaks? How do you factor this "wear and tear" into your product price when burning a large order?

Thanks,

Bill Anciaux

[Patrick Moreau]

I had the GX1 with my mac and had nothing but problems with poor print quality, alignment that wouldn't work etc. I now have a primera Bravo SE and it works great, although it is for smaller runs than what you do. I would look for something from primera though as they do have mac support for many of their printers and they seem to work much much better than microboards.

[Timothy Harry]

I too have a Bravo 2, and I actually use it with a 4 year old PC stuck over in the corner. the PC software it came with is much easier to use than creating a disc template in Photoshop and attaching it to the disc on my mac (I also wanted to find something for my old PC to do since I spent weeks of time modding the case 4 years ago). The primera system is great, but the ink is freaking expensive, and I would not suggest trying to refill the cartridges. 37 bucks for a new color cartridge that lasts somewhere around 80-100 discs is not the best life, and makes your cost go way up. With your print volume I would seriously look into a system that does thermal printing (I have heard of people having awesome results with Rimage). You will burn up a bravo or any other entry level duplicator in the first year with your level of output. Check with ProAction Media, they are who I use for all of my media and duplication projects.

[Patrick Moreau]

For injet printers, Primera is right at the top with cost per disc in terms of ink. I am very happy with the value and quality out of my Bravo SE. I would agree that athermal is probably better with high quantities.

[Jeffrey Butler]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Schwartz

Currently I am still using stick on NEATO labels for the DVDs.

Gack! That's horrible. I'm glad you're changing. Stick-on labels are the worst for their (lack of) fit and they're ability to add too much thickness to the dvds....just a royal pain.

I think you're talking about some gear I'm not so sure of, but direct on disk printing is the way to go. The Epson Stylus Photo 900 I use is only for one-offs and couldn't keep up with your quantity (maybe, but fulltime), but I've been printing direct to CD/DVDs for a while and am really happy with it. It's no dye-sub or thermal printer, but it works for archive and client one-offs. There's a great print package, again not for bulk, and probably not for use with a duplicator, but it's called Disc Cover.

If you're talking about going with a duplicator that prints on the discs, then what I'm talking about may not help. But if you're talking about printing onto discs after they're burned, then I suppose that's different and Disc Cover may help. It will certainly, when used w/ a print-on disc printer, work nicely.