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CD printers are a style of printer that can produce a label to display on a compact disc. A disc CD printer, as it is also referred to, can offer bright, vibrant color images to create professional looking discs.

An inkjet printer can produce a high quality looking print with up to a resolution of approximately 300 dots per inch, which allows for a clearer image to be reproduced. Most inkjet printers can print CD labels with the compatible software installed on a computer to allow the CD printer to produce the correct shape for the CD label.

A thermal printer uses a process of heating coated thermochromic paper when a disc moves over a thermal printing head to allow adherence of the printed image onto the paper. Different colors dry at different temperatures. This type of CD printer works best for text and logos. The most economical for disc printing is to use a monochromatic thermal printer. This type of CD printer is the fastest source for producing CD labels. Approximately 120 discs can be produced per hour at a cost of two cents per CD. Using a thermal printer to manufacture labels makes them resilient enough to withstand high production professional environments. The labels are durable, dry instantly and are waterproof.

As noted above, there are different CD printers available for purchase. An inkjet printer, for example, along side a computer, can produce an acceptable reproduction for label making. Some CD printers have the capabilities of printing a realistic photo or graphic with a low-cost ink cartridge and some inkjet printers have a six-color cartridge to allow more vibrant and longer-lasting printed labels. There are also inks that dry faster and become more permanent on printable surfaces. A thermal printer, for instance, can provide an indelible ink that requires little or no drying time in about seven seconds to produce images with a resolution of roughly 300 to 600 dots per inch to attain a well defined graphic or photo.

An automated CD printer connected to one computer can produce up to 100 CDs per hour. There is also an option of an automatic fast gravity-feed loading system that loads the CDs into the printer for continuous printing. Connecting up to five printers to one computer would allow five discs to print simultaneously. As can be imagined, this type of printer system results in CD printing at a low cost. The speed for printing discs is quick, approximately at speeds up to 100 seconds for a full color photo label, about 20 seconds for full color text and something like 12 seconds for normal mode color text.

The importance of using a CD printer is that it will ensure a proper fit of labels for produced CDs. Thus, choosing a CD printer can turn a project into a masterpiece by having a colorful and well-designed finished assignment.

About the Author:

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about CD printers - and about printers in general - please visit his website: http://www.printers-for-novices.com

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The right industrial CD printers can make the duplication of visually appealing CDs for entertainment, marketing or sales very easy. But not all industrial CD printers are the same ? a few extra features here and there distinguish the best from the rest. What exactly should you look for such a device? Here are some ideas.

High resolution. Your industrial CD printer must be able to print professional-quality images fast. Among the best printers in the market are those with at least 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution, and more than 16 million colors. It should likewise have the latest in color layering technology that allows for better-quality printing and faster drying times.

Cheaper ‘thermal transfer’ brands are also available. Their resolutions are lower then picture-quality printers, but they are just as good and productive when used properly. Go for simpler two-color printers with at least 610 x 305 dpi resolution if you are on a budget. They usually stretch your dollar to the maximum, because their color ribbons can do as many as 700 prints before replacement is necessary. Best of all, thermal printers print directly on the disc surface, so the images become permanent and resistant to fading or smearing.

Security and control features. Many industrial printers are now enabled to print serializes discs with the latest ‘auto incrementing’ alphanumeric strings that you determine. Less expensive versions can print bar codes, which are just as effective.

Expandability and connectivity. Choose an industrial CD printer that you can later equip with more CD burners, in case you have to step up production in the future. It should be compatible with different CD printing software and have expandable character, font and language database. Your industrial CD printer must likewise be easily linkable to any computer using USB.

Ease in setting-up. Why pay for professional installers when you can but industrial CD printers that you can assemble and network yourself? Choose models that do not require assembly, mounting, or printer alignment.

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Whether you are a business owner looking to organize your electronic files or just an avid CD or DVD fan looking for ways to tidy up your collection, a CD title printer should be on top of your ‘to-buy’ list. CD title printers are perfect tools for both small business and home users who need specialized applications for filing and documenting CDs. Many companies have been using these printers as part of their efficiency management programs. With these printers, you can easily title CDs and DVDs with whether they contain data, images, or even music and video. Use CD title printers and watch your electronic files go from cluttered to organize.

Most midrange, branded CD title printers sell for about $60 to $70. For this price, you can get decent 200×2000 dpi resolution and free printing software that allows you to import graphics and text fonts from your computer.

If you can spend a little more, buy a thermal CD title printer in the $100 to $130 price range and never deal with sticky labels again. CD title printers in this price range have built-in keyboards for basic print designs, and you can also connect them to your computer if you want do print something more complicated. Most of these printers allow you to print 16 lines - eight lines above the hole in the center of the CD, and another eight lines up to eight lines in the print area below.

Apart from the price, you should also consider ribbon life. How many prints can the printer’s ribbon make before you have to buy another? The longer the life of the ribbon, the cheaper it is for you to mass-label CDs in the long run. Also check some engineering features such as weight, portability, the length of the adaptor cord, etc.

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CD silkscreen printers are ideal for printing large quantities of discs, because they make CD mass production more cost-effective. It’s a great investment for companies who need to produce full-color discs fast (such as software companies).

CD silkscreen printers apply ink to a silk or nylon screen and then penetrate areas of the screen that are not blocked by the stencil. The printer uses a lot of stencils in order to apply multiple colors in a single print. It is the same type of printer used for regular replicated discs. With CD silkscreen printers, you can do all kinds of color combinations imaginable - from PMS colors to four-color process and even metallic. There are far more color options in CD silk screen printing technology than in thermal or label printing. The result are high-quality, attractive CD prints done very fast.

If you need to print at least 500 CDs at one time, then you should definitely invest in a CD silkscreen printer, or at least sign up with a silkscreen CD printing company. You typically have to pay a one-time setup fee, and they take care of the rest. You can get huge discounts if you print 1,000 CDs or more, and if you order regularly. If you need to add dates, control numbers, serial numbers, etc., expect to pay some extra. If you need to print higher quantities, you should sign up for pantone matching services to get the most control available when you print your artwork.

If you only need to print low quantities of CDs (less than 100, for example), it might be better to go with thermal printing instead. CD silkscreen printing only becomes cost-effective when you need to print in bulk; otherwise, the cost per unit goes up.

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