Do you need to hand out CD’s or DVD’s for your business presentations? Present your electronic portfolio to potential clients? Or perhaps you’re in a band, and need to distribute your demo? If you need to make professional looking CD’s or DVD’s but you don’t want to pay through the nose for labeling at a duplication house, consider picking up a thermal CD label printer, and doing it yourself at home for much less.
Thermal CD Label Printers
A thermal CD label printer uses direct thermal printing technology to put your text and graphics right onto the surface of the disk, without damaging the data. Unlike adhesive labels, which can become shabby and peel and interfere with playback, thermal printing is permanent. And unlike inkjet or other CD label printing systems, thermal prints come out dry to the touch, so no leaving stacks of CD’s lying around to dry, or accidentally smudging them with your thumb when you pick them up.
Most thermal CD label printers are small, standalone units that fit easily in your desk area and hook up to your computer, so you can import and use your own graphics and fonts. The better models have their own screen, or at least the option to preview what your finished label will look like before you print it so you don’t waste any disks in the printing process. Also, many better models feature the ability to turn the disk and print on both sides of the disk, as well as on the top and bottom sections of the disk.
Look for a printer that has at least 300dpi resolution. If you need to print text and some basic graphics, this is all you really need. If you want to do more creative labeling, with high resolution graphics and multi-colored labels, you need something that is rated higher. Some models only allow you to print with one color at a time, so be aware of that when you’re shopping around.
Casio CW-100 CD Label Printer
For basic uses, like CD’s with a simple logo and text, a thermal label printer like the Casio CW-100 is a reliable, affordable choice at under $100. It prints cleanly and quickly, and even small fonts turn out crisp and professional. You will need to use disks that have a good matte finish for the ink to adhere to. It works with all True Type fonts, and can be set to automatically print on both sides of the disk.
Dymo Disc Painter CD Label Printer
For higher-end labeling, a thermal label printer like the Dymo DiscPainter will do a whole lot more. You can print up to 1200dpi and use multiple colors at once for more intricate graphics. It includes software so you can make up your own designs, or you can use other design programs like Photoshop or Illustrator. They are more expensive, but allow you to do much more than a basic thermal labeler.
Whichever thermal CD label printer you choose, you can easily create professional, clean looking disks on demand that won’t fade, peel or wear. Right from your desk at home you get duplication house quality, without paying duplication house prices.