disc printing

Baz · Jul 19, 2009, 13:06:39

does any one print on discs, pics or labels etc. the printer I have now, HP c8180, has a Lightscribe drive but I cant find the software and wondered what you use, if at all. do they turn ou decent quality, how much are the discs themselves.

Ray · Jul 19, 2009, 13:25:29

I've not used Lightscribe myself, Baz, but there looks to be a lot of useful information here

Rik · Jul 19, 2009, 15:47:12

Discs are about the same price as normal, Baz, the printout is a bit like a shadow image but beware the time they take. Inkjet printing is way quicker.

Baz · Jul 19, 2009, 16:29:34

Quote from: Rik on Jul 19, 2009, 15:47:12
Discs are about the same price as normal, Baz, the printout is a bit like a shadow image but beware the time they take. Inkjet printing is way quicker.

inkjet onto paper as the normal/usual way?

will take a look there Ray thanks. So is lightscribe just HP's invention name so to speak, its some universal format that all use

Rik · Jul 19, 2009, 16:31:39

Inkjet onto coated discs, Baz, as first choice, labels as second.

Afaik, only HP use the laser etching technique for discs, so it may still be under patent.

Baz · Jul 19, 2009, 16:34:44

ah I didnt know that about the inkjet. so would it work on the writer on my printer Rik

Ray · Jul 19, 2009, 16:38:58

Quote from: Rik on Jul 19, 2009, 16:31:39
Inkjet onto coated discs, Baz, as first choice, labels as second.

Afaik, only HP use the laser etching technique for discs, so it may still be under patent.

I agree, Rik, that's my first preference as well.

Rik · Jul 19, 2009, 16:41:19

Quote from: Baz on Jul 19, 2009, 16:34:44
ah I didnt know that about the inkjet. so would it work on the writer on my printer Rik

It depends whether the printer has the requisite holder, Baz. Some can print direct to disc, some have to use labels. The manual will tell you.

Baz · Jul 19, 2009, 16:45:39

just had a look and I dont think it does, dont have a holder any way but as it has the Lightscribe seems daft for it to have both

Ray · Jul 19, 2009, 16:46:30

Looking at the spec. for the printer it looks as though it can only print them via the Lightscribe drive and not via ink jet printing, Baz.

vitriol · Jul 19, 2009, 16:49:32

My Epson R300 has the facility to print onto disks. I've used it a couple of times with Ritek full face printable DVD's. Results were very good. Not used Lightscribe before but apparently my laptop has the facility but I've never used it before.

Baz · Jul 19, 2009, 16:49:48

cheers Ray, might give it a go and see what they turn out like. I have now found the software that came with it but its Roxio and i was not keen on them before

Ray · Jul 19, 2009, 16:54:32

I may be wrong but I think Lightscribe only prints in black or grey scale and to get any colour you need to buy special coloured disks to print onto. $:-\$

Ray · Jul 19, 2009, 16:57:21

Quote from: vitriol on Jul 19, 2009, 16:49:32
My Epson R300 has the facility to print onto disks. I've used it a couple of times with Ritek full face printable DVD's. Results were very good. Not used Lightscribe before but apparently my laptop has the facility but I've never used it before.

Yes, I've had very good results with my Canon ink jet printing onto the full face printable DVDs but the the Canon comes with a special tray to feed the disk into the printer.

Rik · Jul 19, 2009, 17:01:27

Same here on a Canon ip6700.

D-Dan · Jul 19, 2009, 17:09:33

Canon IP4300 does a wonderful job of direct to disc printing - and I use it 4 - 5 times each week

Steve

Ray · Jul 19, 2009, 17:13:05

Quote from: D-Dan on Jul 19, 2009, 17:09:33
Canon IP4300 does a wonderful job of direct to disc printing - and I use it 4 - 5 times each week

Steve

I agree, Steve my Canon is an IP4300 as well.

sobranie · Jul 20, 2009, 01:54:37

Quote from: D-Dan on Jul 19, 2009, 17:09:33
Canon IP4300 does a wonderful job of direct to disc printing - and I use it 4 - 5 times each week

Steve

My epson stylus photo RX685 makes a superb job too.

Odos · Jul 20, 2009, 20:37:00

I've tried both LightScribe and LabelFlash ( same method different brand and format ) printing. Both give a reasonable greyscale result but it's a little faded compared to full colour direct to disk inkjet printing.

The disks for both of the above are way more expensive than inkjet printable and the two companies seem to have divided up the market between them. This may be the wrong way round but as far as I remember the last time I used them last year, LightScribe only did CD's and LabelFlash only did DVD's

For me they are good for a one off unique thing now and then but for everyday use stick to inkjet.