JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum Making CDs

I just bought an Epson printer that prints on CDs, so I probably won't be taking advantage of the services below, but in case any of you want to go the professional route there is this: http://www.diskfaktory.com/enter/009/default.asp?AffID=009&CartID=&PakPage=EAS

I'd be interested to see how they compare with DiskMakers, which has in their favor the fact that they have been supportive of JPF.

I have used diskfactory, and they weren't bad. Cost is roughly equivalent to my burning them myself on my own equipment (which I can do, but it takes time). Last order I had from them (which is also the only one0 had a 2% failure rate on the CDs, which is less than I get with my own equipment.

And I do my own labels, too. (Ex-graphic designer, remember). So all I needed from diskfactory was the CDs and cases. And I got that.

Joe

I did my own. Everything. I ordered waterproof printable CD's from Diskmakers. I printed them on an Epson 320 CD printer. Cost per CD was a little higher but it was cheaper in the initial investment because I only needed about 50 CD's.
So far I have never had a failure on any of the CD's.

The Epson 320 CD printer, is that all you can use it for is printing CDs or can you use it for all your printing needs, I use a Epson c68 now for my computer. What does it cost per CD to do your own? I've been thinking about doing what you're doing, less up front cost and less dead stock.

Great info on printers.

There are these kits that come with Nero Software or Roxio.
I never used them though.
I have just made inserts by hand and printed song titles and lyrics and also tried to sharpie the name in a cool way on the disc.
But this would be a much better representation.

Matt, I've had both Nero and Roxio CD software (came with the CD-RW drive units), but I never saw anything worth messing with for CD labels.

I went out and bought a program called Click 'n' Design CD, which I use for the basic template (only software I've got that will let me write in a circle)--then I paste the product into my basic graphic-design program (PageMaker) and mess around with it.

I still do paper labels, though I have thought about getting one of those fancy Epson or HP printers. They use their own label software, though, which I want no part of--but I think I have figured out how to import my designs. When I can afford it, I'll try it. Maybe next CD.

Joe

The Epson R280 is $119.
It does standard as well as cd printing.
You can also import your own graphics to it.
Several of us here in Tampa Bay have them.
I don't know what the cost per cd is.
The more graphics you have,the more ink you use,
upping the cost.

I have tried various printing and cover design programs. By far the best and easiest to use is Nero Premium. It has a great cover design program and can custom print to any printer.
It is also a burner and multi media editor and player. Some neat features and not too expensive. On ebay for buttons.

Thanks, Guys. I've learned a lot so far and I haven't even printed my first CD. I'm still experimenting with the cover art. Anybody else is welcome to contribute.

Hi Steve,

Most of my work is aimed at low volume 3-4 copies to mail out for pitching purposes. At the moment I'm trying out Avery CD labels on my Epson 1270. Not sure how the stick on thing is going to work out yet and I would certainly rather print directly onto the disc. As far as print design work goes, I do everything in full version Adobe Photoshop.

Wayne

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

Thanks, Wayne and Bill. Bill, I believe I saw your earlier post and saved it for later use. Looks like "later" is creeping up on me. Nice work on the detailed rundown of your experience and rationales. I'm sure I will not be the only one who benefits from your insights.

Did someone say they can do the design for CD's ??? I am ready to make some up and have to use this companies templates and have no idea what program I have to have to use the template..does anyone know ?? thanks

Nero premium has a Cover design program it is very easy to use and the results are very professional. They have templates galore or you can make up your own. Plus it can print onto a label or onto the CD if you use a CD printer as mentioned in earlier posts. I use pressit applicator and use paper or equivalent glossy labels and you just click the brand from the selected list it will automatically centre and print. Never had a problem with playing any discs. One big bonus is it will automatically import a track list direct from the burned CD. That can be used and edited to your hearts content on both the covers and cd content. Having tried other progs I have used Nero for a number of years and burned hundreds of CDs DVDs etc and would never dream of using anything else. I cannot rate this program higher. It is also a burner and multi media player and editor. I am surprised more people do not use this valuable tool.

Hey Jim, what price range are we talking here? How difficult is Nero to learn and use, realizing I am not that good with computers,LOL. Does Nero have a website where I can purchase this program?

Everett It does have a website just google nero premium. It is also available dirt cheap on ebay for under $20. It is one of the easiest programs you will ever use. It will custom burn DVD CD etc and has full editing facilities plus playing/editing media etc etc etc. I have never seen a program that does so much and is so easy to use. You will not be disapointed. I suggest Nero premium 7 reloaded (version 8 is just out) Do yourself a favour buy it. I cannot think of any other program that even comes close.

Big Jim
I had a Nero version long ago but it wouldn't do all that. But it was very good at what it did do.

One question I have is on the liner notes or insert you put in the Jewel case. When I did mine I was able to have the title and my name on a strip at the side of the insert so when I folded the paper to put it in the CD Jewel Case the name and title appeared on the edge. Can you do that with the Nero program?

Hi Bill yes it will do all that. It has designs for front and back covers for all types of jewel cases also if you use preformed labels it has a list of templates for each manufacturer and style. It also has this function for DVD cases.
I have no axe to grind re Nero just think it is the best at what it does. At under $20 on ebay you cannot go wrong. However make sure you buy the full Nero 7 premium reloaded. There are other nero programs that do not do the full thing.

Thanks Jim, those at ebay, are they new or people selling off their copy.

Mostly new. I bought one and had no probs. Better to buy new if possible.

I did a search for Nero on Google and stumbled on a blog where a number of people gave Nero premium 7 a bad name.

Tell me more. A link would be appreciated as this is very interesting. Here is a review that is very favourable if you still are in doubt. I have found that if you look hard enough you will find good or bad reviews about anything. I prefer someone who you know vouching for a program they use extensively. My only complaint is stability that it can crash very very occasionally. But so can most other programs.
http://www.itreviews.co.uk/software/s337.htm

Just had another thought Nero essentials has a very similar label design program. It is available for under $2 on ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...mp;satitle=nero+essential&category0=

I've been using a pretty inexepensive program called AudioLabel ($20 or so). It does the track import, curved text, all the usual stuff and seems pretty easy to use.

www.audiolabel.com

Another one I tried was one from www.surething.com

Many of these labelling programs have free trial periods and after that cost $20-30 for a full license, usually with lifetime upgrades for free. I tried 3 or 4 before I settled on this one. I just went to download.com and searched for "cd label" and downloaded a few that have free trial periods. Then you can find one that fits your needs.

Larry Nero does all that plus a heck of a lot more and is cheaper.

This is GREAT info guys!!Thanks!!

Cher

http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/Nero-7-Premium-Review-11730.shtml


This should take you there, just scroll down the page for the reviews. Like you say, some find fault with perfection.

I have not experienced any of the probs as described. It loasded first time from a CD and works perfect. The extra features described as unnecessary are there and you use them or not as the case may be. I do not see the prob.(Most relate to music or video production) so they might be no use to some but are invaluable to others especially us. Re drivers and codecs etc they work perfectly with the system you have and a check is run at installation to enable the appropriate ones. I do not buy any of these neg reviews. There were always be some unhappy customers. I have used various versions of Nero and have always upgraded to next version. A complete uninstall of the old version including all associated files and folders etc is necessary to mske the new version work properly. Perhaps these people do not know how to do it. That rule applies to most new versions of old progs. My tip is buy it from ebay new make sure it is a hard copy and not a download authorisation. Trust me you cannot go wrong.

I've become pretty diligent about researching things I hear on the internet. It doesn't take long to find a lot of info. When I read negative reviews, I try to look for the real reasons behind them, and try to find opposing reviews until I can judge for myself before buying.

Most times, negative reviews regarding computer-related products seem to stem from ignorance or a poor home computer...and they blame the product.

Not many companies decide to put out a product that "sucks" and "never works right".

Correct. CD burning programs are so generic any more that they all have very similar features. Some of them are even getting bloated with TOO many features you'll never use and make the program harder to learn and more prone to bugs and/or crashes.

The biggest differentiator in most of them is whether YOU like the user interface and whether it's easy for you to use without having to read through some manual.

That's why I suggest trying several from download.com before deciding on one over the other. It costs nothing to try most of them. If $20-30 for a program is too much, there are more than several available for free as well.

I keep saying it on ebay no risk involved Nero basic costs a couple of bucks or under $20 for full bells and whistles version. I rate it 100% what have you got to lose?
Roxio is the only other prog that comes close. Negs are it is not as user friendly. Roxio is more geared for media playing and storage and transfer to portable players. I have tried Roxio and it is not as user friendly It does not have the same burning and music production capabilities and the cover designer is not very good in comparison to Nero which is the main purpose the Nero cover desigenr program was suggested.

Do you own stock in Nero?

I encourage people to experiment to find a program that fits THEIR needs and you tell them not to but just buy Nero on Ebay - for no risk...well ok. It will serve no use to debate that.

Nope but I will recommend it to anybody. You have not been reading this from the start. I suggested an answer to the specific question of an easy to use inexpensive program for producing Cd inserts and labels. After some tooing and frowing I was answering about costs and availabilty and so called bad reviews Nero had. I do not think that $2 or under $20 for the full all singing dancing is wasting money. It is only my opinion. Have you tried Nero? As an experienced CD burner and sleeve producer I was just offering what I thought was the best.

I was looking for software to create labels for my CD collection and have tested a lot of products. Some of that programs were complicated, some were difficult to use. I have chosen this CD cover creator and now I’m totally satisfied with it.

how to make a cd cover you can try this soft

Hi Folks:

Let me answer "grols" and "MuseOfLife" first. The printed and self-sticking adhesive labels can look nice but can be prone to coming undone and fouling up front-loading A&R Interns machines as they attempt to listen. For that reason, they are frowned upon unless you are running small quantities and giving them to friends.

Epson has a complete line of Inkets that are adapted to also print CDs. They all do a good job but can make ink disappear faster than a roadrunner can cross the highway.

Do your research dilligently. Even with inkjets set to print mostly black letters and images, the color ink is also slightly drained with each printing. It can also evaporate under the right conditions and the newer models seem to have tiny nozzles which clog often, causing real problems. The doggone ink ends up costing more than most of the printers. (6 different cartridges)
I wish someone would come out with a printer that uses only black ink... or allows selection of that mode. Glitzy labels don't cut much slack with A&R departments.

They want neat labels containing song names, artist name and address + phone number and the art does not impress them as much as the music contained on the CD... if it is deemed worthy to send forward for a supervisor to make a decision to pass it upstairs. Without permission, usually... if you send more than three songs, the entire CD will get sent to the round file and never heard. Always call first.

Best of luck,

Dave

For large runs, I would recommend Joe Wrabeks' suggested source.

I think kunaki is the way to go for small runs these days:
https://www.kunaki.com/ There is no way I can do it cheaper than these guys even with the shipping thrown in.

I used it for my wife's piano students CD last year. Pretty much worked like a charm. Choices are limited, but the price can't be beat.

AAAAARGH Kevin! Why did you share this on the 24th??? My girlfriend and I made some Christmas CDs for family and we had to ship them to Europe. We used CDBaby and they charged us an arm and leg for the shipping. Kunaki charges 4 bucks for overseas shipping! Well, too late. But they are bookmarked for the future, so thanks for sharing!

I'll be making CDs with Annie. She has to sell them. I couldn't sell toys at Christmas.

I have a new band CD on order from Kunaki. I have used them twice before. If you like the packaging, it is an excellent way to go for small runs (any number from 1 up). My own CD cappuccino is in a slim cardboard package and I had to go to Discmakers for that, but since I was ordering more, the cost was not bad.

Be advised that Kunaki's artwork is always darker than what you see on your computer screen.