Inks for printing on CDs?

[Dynamiteprintworks]

Hey does anyone have experience printing on cds? What kind of ink should I use? I assume acrylic will scratch off, and I don't want to use anything that will corrode through the CD. I know professionals use UV inks, but I need a more low-tech solution. Any tips?

[therealprofess]

lots of threads on this subject already. just do a search

[loco]

I've used Flat poster ink in the past

-loco

[Andymac]

I use a general purpose solvent based ink from ND graphics called Dry Film. Most GP solvent inks will probably work.

don't print on coated cds, you want virgins.

TEST first (printability, scratch test, load a cd and play)

[macthulhu]

Make sure you print on the right side.

Sounds stupid, I know, but I once watched a guy sit and write his name on every one of his CDs with a Sharpie.

On the bottom.

It was all hair metal, so we thought it was funny. His radio show was right after mine, and he brought his own music so he wouldn't have to play any of that "faggoty" punk rock stuff. I guess in 1990, not everyone was hip to the way a CD works.

[Andymac]

Good point macthulhu Tip for when you get that 100 pack of blanks and can't figure out which way is up - CDs and DVDs the centre section near the hole is slightly below the main cd surface. This is the bottom side. The top side (print side) is flat. Don't trust the small coded printing in the centre, it can be printed on either side.

2nd tip - save 50 and 100 spindles, you'll need them to hold your printed-but-not-loaded cds. Not very professional to hand over a bag of loose cds.

[Dynamiteprintworks]

Anyone have tips for what type of blank cds to print on?
As I'm searching for CDRs, some are adversited as being for "heat printing" or "inkjet printing" and I've even found a couple for "silkscreen printing," though without any further explanation, and they're more expensive.
What about those with white backgrounds vs uncoated? Andymac you say uncoated, right? Though it'd be real nice to print on a white background.
Any tips for sites to order the blank cds from?

[therealprofess]

i thought the ones that are shiny on noth sides work best. Not the kind that are solid white. It just doesnt print right

[loco]

Originally Posted by therealprofess

i thought the ones that are shiny on noth sides work best. Not the kind that are solid white. It just doesnt print right

Those are the ones I bought. I think I bought them at Circut City , Like a pack of 50

-loco

[Andymac]

The ones I get in 100 pks are silver on both sides, these are uncoated and will take either the solvent based or UV inks on the virgin surface. I pay 21-25 cents each by the case. they are probably cheaper in the USA.

The white ones are prepped for use in inkjet printers or thermal printers. If you screen these they don't work good. One thing I never tried with the ones for 'inkjet' was to see if waterbased screen inks stick - inkjets are mostly WB, so maybe.... however, these cds when printed with thermal or inkjet printers, the ink scratches off.

That's why a screenprinted Cd is so good - it's a sharp print, and if done right it doesn't come off.

The ones you get with 'memorex' or other printing on won't print well with solvent screen inks overtop because they have been printed with UV inks alrerady, the solvent inks won't stick to the uv coating.

You want to find a bulk disc sales place, I get mine up here in Vancouver, there are hundreds of places in the USA, and you don't have to pay the ripoff levy so Bryan fucking Adams and Celine Douchebag Dion get their cut from blank Cds sold in Canada.

Be really wary of super cheap CDs, because they are. if the Cds won't take a load and play on a bunch of different players, you be fucked.