Cd labeling problems??

[Aslan Demirörs]

With cd labels on the DVD there is not possible to make a copy using either DVD Shrink, DVDFab or DVD Decrypter. All the programs have problems reading from the disc. So now I wonder are there any way to use cd labels on the DVD without these problems, anyone who knows?

[jwo62]

I have had nothing but trouble with labels.

Now I use a cd disc marker.

[Aslan Demirörs]

I have had nothing but trouble with labels.

Now I use a cd disc marker.

Marker, you mean a pen?

[Taelon]

Not a pen, a marker such as a "Sharpie".

Don't use paper labels on DVD's, they're ok on CD's. If you really want professional labels, look into getting a printer that can print directly on the label surface of the DVD.

[Aslan Demirörs]

Not a pen, a marker such as a "Sharpie".

Don't use paper labels on DVD's, they're ok on CD's. If you really want professional labels, look into getting a printer that can print directly on the label surface of the DVD.

Yes you're right, I've already purchased a printer that can print on fullface printable DVD's, but my issue was with the ones I already made with labels.
But I am sorry that I don't know, but what is a Sharpie??

[setarip_old]

Just go to a stationery store or office supply store and ask to see "permanent markers". From the choices you'll likely have, select markers with "Fine" or "Extra Fine" tips...

[Video Dude]

But I am sorry that I don't know, but what is a Sharpie??

A Sharpie is a permanent marker.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpie_(marker)

[CWR03]

Also called a felt-tip marker. Marks-a-Lot makes some fine point ones now, as does Bic; the latter is easily removed with alcohol but it's not very dark. I prefer the ultra-fine point Sharpie.

I bought some full-face printable DVD's on sale hoping to get a printer for them someday - I can't burn to them. There's a small, inexpensive black only printer that will print on any disk which I'll probably get instead.

[jdobbs]

I use the clear labels (CompuLabel 375052) they are exceptionally lightweight and thin and don't negatively affect playback.

[Mr. Monte]

You can print color pictures onto clear labels and they do not effect playback?

[jdobbs]

I haven't had a problem with any that I've done.... The only downside is that you have to make sure you get blanks without any printing on them, as it can show through the clear label. I had lots of problems with the paper labels... I haven't done one (paper) in a long time now, though.

[echooff]

Are you using a standard color printer with the clear labels. I am presently using a sharpie but am always looking for better.

[jdobbs]

Are you using a standard color printer with the clear labels. I am presently using a sharpie but am always looking for better.Yes. HP Inkjet.don't use labels, they can make your discs skip--even later. use a sharpie or a jiffy marker. They don't slip or skip if you use the correct (lightweight) labels and not apply anything to the hub of the disc... the "full face" ones might sometimes look pretty but are a bad idea.

[jdobbs]

Hey... it's all cool. :cool:

[curio59]

I guess I am very fortunate...I have many DVDs and always use paper labels after buring. No problems so far. I use Memorex Labels.

[CWR03]

I guess I am very fortunate...I have many DVDs and always use paper labels after buring. No problems so far. I use Memorex Labels.
How old are your burns? Try playing some of your oldest disks to see if they still play.

[jdobbs]

Paper labels are just too heavy... if it's a tiny bit off center during the application is can cause wobble...

[ciclone]

Yes. HP Inkjet. They don't slip or skip if you use the correct (lightweight) labels and not apply anything to the hub of the disc... the "full face" ones might sometimes look pretty but are a bad idea.

What's so wrong with the fullface labels, or even the regular lables, why do them degrate longevity and playability on DVDs and seem not to affectc Cd's ???

Do anybody has a good explanation for this issue ?

[jdobbs]

DVDs spin faster and the data is packed more tightly than CDs. Full face might affect the contact between the hub and the disc.

[2COOL]

Here's a very good thread (http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=54303&highlight=labels) for you to peruse through, especially posts by dvdshare. ;)

[CWR03]

That was some interesting testing - I had basically the same suspicion. I use Meritline labels which (so far) haven't been a problem, but I've got a sharp knife handy.

Regarding cracked DVD's, I've now had two from Netflix that were cracked about 1/2" into the media, but somehow played perfectly. I was amazed they played at all since the reflective layer was discolored in both instances.

There was a mention of the HP "Lightscribe" drives, but they only work with specially coated disks which are very expensive, much more so than the printable ones. The CD/DVD printer is down to $70 now. There's also this: Casio CW-75 Printer for CDs and DVDs (http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4477156?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) which prints directly onto any disk.

[CWR03]

I think I've got part of the labeling issue figured out, and why it doesn't affect all disks.

After you print a label, how long do you let it dry? Wet paper expands, and if you only wait long enough for it to be handled without smearing, it's probably still damp. When you apply it damp it dries on the disk, warping it. I realized recently that a disk I had a problem reading was smudged because I'd applied the label while it was still too wet, so after that I started leaving the ones I printed full color to dry overnight, and those have never had a problem. Most of the rest I've labeled either have minimal printing or are just black text and again have never had a playback problem. So far only disks that I'm sure I applied the label still damp have shown problems reading (I can tell those because the center didn't adhere well from being stretched over the "Stomper" spindle while still damp).

[kbuegel]

I haven't posted here in a while, but just wanted to say that I did battle with my DVD labels and ended up tearing off all paper labels and re-making them with plastic labels.

The problem is NOT wobble. If you want to prove this to yourself, take a labeled DVD that is having trouble and pull off HALF the label - split the label vertically, so that the left half of the DVD still has a label, and the right half does not. In most cases, removing a large chunk of the label will bring an unreadable DVD back to life, and even though its got a label on only half of it (which is the worst case of unbalanced labeling possible) it usually plays fine, or at least improves significantly.

In my experiences (several hundred paper-labeled DVD's), sometimes just removing a small pie-shaped piece of a paper label would bring an unplayable DVD back to life. But, eventually I decided to remove all paper labels on all my DVD's. They seem to get worse and worse over time. So I would test them initially after writing them, and they worked fine, but after a few months there would be some pauses and pixelation during playback, and eventually the problems would get so severe that the DVD player would hang up. But just peeling off the label will fix the DVD.

And yes, I used the expensive Memorex labels, and expensive brand name media, and it made no difference. Memorex later came out with a thinner lighter paper label to help solve this problem, but of course never admitted anything and I don't know how to tell on the outside of the pack whether the labels are the old kind or the new kind. I did try some new ones but they still caused errors after a few months so I just gave up on paper all together.
I did have success using clear plastic labels, but I had to buy a special ALPS printer to print white backgrounds. Normal printers do not print white. Overall, the best solution is just to buy printable white-topped DVD's. The cost of buying a printer and labels and special ink a reprinting my labels was higher than the cost of buying brand new white-topped media and rewriting the paper-labeled DVD's, but I felt I had to at least try to save all those paper labeled DVD's.

For removing the paper labels from the DVD's, just soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and use a wooden or plastic spatula to scrape the labels off. If any glue goo is left behind, using "Goo be Gone" does the best job of disolving the glue goo, and its citrus based so it smells good. It does tend to leave a film on your DVD so be sure to rinse it thoroughly and wipe dry with a towel.

If you are printing white-topped DVD's in a printer (like epson 200, 300, 320, etc), you can seal the printed image with a spray on coating of clear acrylic finish to give your DVD that professional look. Just be sure not to let the finish get to the back side. I've had good luck just laying the DVD's on paper towels as long as there are no wrinkles and you only use them once. Make sure its a flat level surface like a table so the finish doesn't build up at the lowest edge. Get the acrylic finish at craft stores or sometimes hardware stores, but test it on a junk DVD because you need one that is OK for plastics and many types are not and will melt your DVD face or make it bubble.

[MarcN]

The problem is more likely to be caused by the shrinking and expansion of paper labels. Especially if the disc is stored in a place with variable humidity. As a result the disc is not flat anymore and the laser is not focused correctly (usually at the outer edge).