Printing discs (very small quantity)

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Loaf

108 posts

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#248972 17-Apr-2019 21:49

Hi there

I was wondering if there are any services in NZ that do very small custom disc print runs (5 - 10 discs). I'm wanting to create a few custom discs for a personal project but I have no need for massive orders.

Most of the NZ printers want orders of 100+ minimum and the order cost runs into the hundreds of dollars.

I've done a Google search and there are some smaller printers but a lot of them have broken / dodgy websites and others ignore emails and quote requests (and that is before I specify order size) and don't update their social media channels so I wonder if they exist anymore...

Is there any way to do this? I find it hard to believe you can't get a disc printed without shelling out for hundreds...

Thanks for any help.

nakedmolerat

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#2220259 17-Apr-2019 23:00

I have a printer that can custom print (white surface) - inkjet

JWR

821 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2220271 18-Apr-2019 00:19

nakedmolerat: I have a printer that can custom print (white surface) - inkjet

Yes. You have to buy blank CD/DVDs with a white top surface for that.

I used to have an inkjet that did that too.

I am not sure if many recent inkjet printers will still support label printing though.

Another option might be to buy Lightscribe disks and use a CD/DVD writer that supports that.

Lightscribe just prints a black and white (on/off) image. But, it can be fine enough to emulate grey scales (same as a mono laser printer).

Loaf

108 posts

Master Geek

#2220281 18-Apr-2019 02:30

Lightscribe is an interesting idea although I'd have to import both the discs and a drive from overseas, since the technology is basically dead and stock supplies are dropping.

I guess I could ask around and see if anyone I know has a printer that can do discs...

chevrolux

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#2220317 18-Apr-2019 08:15

Our OLD "Compaq" desktop had a lightscribe drive in it. I remember buying a pack of 5 lightscribe discs from Dick Smith... super expensive.

It looked cool when done, but only "grey scale" obviously.

Fred99

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#2220378 18-Apr-2019 09:08

JWR:

I am not sure if many recent inkjet printers will still support label printing though.

Some of the recent Epson photo printers do, ie P600.

That model also uses pigment based ink, which is reasonably waterproof In the past, I'd seen some printed CDs that had been done on dye based inkjets, the ink would run / smear from moisture on your fingers. That also probably depends on what coating is used in the printable disks - they weren't all the same. I used to do a few using an older Epson photo printer that had CD printing, results were a bit hit and miss depending on the quality of the disk. You could *probably* print disks using any of the more high-end printers that can handle thick media and have a straight-feed paper path option, you'd probably need to make up some kind of caddy or whatever you'd call it out of cardboard etc, to hold the disks in place on a sheet while they went through the printer, then you'd have to make a template for the graphics. I expect it would be a PITA. The printers designed to print CD have the plastic caddy included, and come with software to produce graphics, circular text around the disk etc.

itxtme

2102 posts

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#2220390 18-Apr-2019 09:28

CD-rom stickers. They come with the sticker on a full a4 sheet, use a template to produce the document and print.

timmmay

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#2220398 18-Apr-2019 09:31

I have about 50 - 75 very high quality taiyo yuden white inkjet printable DVDs I'd sell for a pretty reasonable price if anyone wants them. I have some slimline cases as well. I used them to write customer images to DVD, before I switched to USB stick.

I used to print them with Inkjet printers. I don't use Inkjet any more, I found them unreliable, they only lasted 2-3 years before they needed to be replaced.

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old3eyes

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#2220653 18-Apr-2019 14:53

You can buy a Canon TS 8160 for about $100 ~ 120 if you don't mind red color. It does good disk printing.

Regards,

Old3eyes

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2220666 18-Apr-2019 15:23

Loaf: Hi there I was wondering if there are any services in NZ that do very small custom disc print runs (5 - 10 discs). I'm wanting to create a few custom discs for a personal project but I have no need for massive orders. Most of the NZ printers want orders of 100+ minimum and the order cost runs into the hundreds of dollars. I've done a Google search and there are some smaller printers but a lot of them have broken / dodgy websites and others ignore emails and quote requests (and that is before I specify order size) and don't update their social media channels so I wonder if they exist anymore... Is there any way to do this? I find it hard to believe you can't get a disc printed without shelling out for hundreds... Thanks for any help.

Try Promotionalusb.com.au and get a quote

last year my company got some CUSTOM credit card usb drive with preloaded data, believe the MOQ was 25 or 50pcs.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

mattwnz

20141 posts

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#2220668 18-Apr-2019 15:24

Lightscribe disks work well, as long as you have a lightscribe burner. Also depends if you want colour , as lightscribe is just a form of grey. Many burners did come with lightscribe built in, and you may find a cheap one on trademe. Also I think the disks can still be purchased in NZ, just look on price spy..

dc2daylight

87 posts

Master Geek

#2220920 19-Apr-2019 08:29

Stebbings Record Studios in Auckland used to do large printruns of not only redbook audio CDs but also CD (and possibly DVD) ROM discs including sleeve liners. I'm not sure if they do anymore though.

Incidentally there is now an NZ company doing Vinyl Stamping of LPs if analogue is your thing. Throw a little Frequency Shifted Keying in the mix, and all sorts of things are possible.

Dratsab

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#2220946 19-Apr-2019 09:16

I used to have a lightscribe burner in one of my laptops. I'll have a look to see if it's still lying around somewhere.

Dratsab

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#2221258 19-Apr-2019 18:39

I have two lightscribe burners. One is in a HP DV6603AX the other is in a HP DV4. Both laptops old and unused. Guess I should look at disassembling them and flicking on some of the parts.

richms

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#2221263 19-Apr-2019 19:34

Inkjetting will be your best bet if you want something readable. Lightscribe at best seems to do a very low contrast image that needs really large sizes to be readable, so forget a tracklisting unless you are reading it in daylight or office lighting levels.

Richard rich.ms