JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum Making CDs

I did a complete rundown of what it took to make my own CD from scratch about a year ago. It was posted here.
I might add that NONE of the CD's I did has failed.
I did it because I only wanted to print about 30 or 40 CD's.
I think it cost me about $3.00 per CD but I cannot remember.
I already had the printer

I use an Epson 320 which prints directly on the CD. I used the software that comes with the printer for the Layout. You can print in circles(around the curve of the CD) or overlays or pretty much whatever you want.
I did all the Graphics work in Adobe and it was simple to import it into the CD labeling software. Text can be done in the Epson CD maker software and it is very flexible.
The printer is still working fine I use it all the time.
I originally used printable CD's from Best Buy but I found out they were NOT smudge proof. A wet or sweaty finger and you will smudge them.
I purchased premium waterproof CD's from Diskmakers. They cost $1.68 each. I have printed about 50 CD's with them and have had NO failures. And they do not smudge. I even washed one and it did not smear. But I was very careful. I did not want to risk it.

Making your own for short runs is fine but if you are going to do a couple hundred you might be better off ordering them.
I find this convenient because I can make them a couple at a time when I need them. Or I can change something if I want to.

I ordered enough supplies to do 100 CD's for $350.00 but that included Premium Photo paper for folded inserts and labels, Premium Jewel Cases with trays, Premium Waterproof CD's from Discmakers, Extra Ink for the printer. I even got a Bar code.
I have made about 40 CD's so far. I have enough supplies to do 60 more. Of the same CD or a new one.
I even did a custom Birthday CD for another person who only wanted two copies of his own CD for his Wife and Mom.

The satisfaction of doing it myself was a plus.
The only thing I did not get was a plastic wrap. I could do that as well. Diskmakers sells the kit.

Most Manufacturers will do short runs but I don't think you can do 40 CD's for the price I did. Also all the short runs Disk companies do CD_R that is important to remember. It is no different than what you can do on your own computer.

Another advantage is I had done 20 CD's and decided to make a change in the Grapcics. Had I ordered a short run of a hundred from a manufacturer I could not have done that.

My CD's, including the liner notes and edge labeling in the case, look just like the CD's on the shelf at the store