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CD duplicators, dvd duplicators & label printers

CD DVD label printers: which one is right for you?

One of the more important breakthroughs in digital technology -- CD duplicators and DVD duplicators -- is the evolution of high quality, relatively inexpensive CD DVD label printers.

Traditional CD DVD duplicators suffer from slow speed and high cost especially due to the bottleneck created by conventional labeling. Most tower based systems have relied on one off printing of self-adhesive labels using Lexmark Printers (among others). AudioLink Services now offers a major improvement through one of our newest technology lines - Microboards Print Factory.

This one-step desktop solution with auto loading capabilities can process as many as 50 CD's or 50 DVD's at a single time. Moreover, it is expandable (in units of 50) to accommodate hundreds of CD's and DVD's in a single pass. This feature has the effect of not only expanding capacity, but also significantly reducing traffic jams when performing large printing jobs.

The advanced color inkjet printer offers high-resolution, high-speed output, and centralized PC operation. Specifically, Print Factory does not employ standard Lexmark technology, but instead uses Hewlett-Packard's DeskJet inkjet printing engine, with 4800x1200dpi resolution and four-color capability.

Especially important is that it is compatible with generic brand inkjet cartridges, which means that your cost per label can be kept low. The unit accepts standard size (19ml) cartridges or large (38ml) 78 series tri-color cartridges and standard black refills (naturally, these are available through AudioLinks.com).

The manufacturer suggests that the cost per label is $.09 per color label and $.01 per black and white (based on optimal usage parameters). Microboards advertises that approximately 600 disc labels can be printed per one large (38ml) color cartridge in normal photo mode. Depending upon such things as the image properties, printing area and selected resolution, these results can vary.

The Print Factory also employs a unique conveyer belt system, which moves discs through the printing mechanism in a continuous feed. The system stacks CD's or DVD's in a compartment on top of the unit. One disc at a time is allowed to fall onto a moving belt that carries the disc under the inkjet print head for labeling. The disc is then dropped into a tray in front of the unit, ready for your distribution chain.

Each Print Factory package includes one tri-color and one black inkjet cartridge, one modular AC power cord, one USB cable, alignment CDs, 50 blank Taiyo Yuden inkjet-printable CD-R discs, printer drivers for Windows, CD label creation software plus comprehensive technical manuals and instructions. Please note each of these items is available separately through audiolinks.com. A one-year warranty is included at no additional charge.

The Print Factory does not require high-end duplicators to function so that it will work with existing tower set-ups, so long as they have MS 2000 loaded. However, if you use a faster processor it will reduce the imaging limitations, especially with complex label designs. Having a minimum 233mHz Pentium PC with 128MB RAM, along with MS Windows 2000 or XP plus a parallel or USB 1.1 port helps optimize the system.

The Print Factory uses a customized HP driver to control the printing process. This allows selectable printing modes and print quality levels, including ink volume, saturation, brightness, and color tone, as well as grayscale and black-only operation. Also included are options for checking ink levels, changing ink cartridges, and outputting test and alignment images. Especially important to disc labeling is the ability to specify inner and outer printing diameters, hub labeling, and drying time.

Like all other inkjet CD label printers, or inkjet DVD label printers, only inkjet-printable media can be used with the Print Factory. AudioLinks.com offers Taiyo Yuden (the original creator of the medium) silver and white surface discs that will produce excellent results. The advantage of these high end discs are quick drying time, clear, sharp text and excellent graphic image quality with high quality colors.

Speed is another attribute that sets the Print Factory apart. 10 discs take approximately 40 minutes (with 100% coverage) in the 4800x1200dpi-optimized mode, 21 minutes in optimal or "best" mode (the most popular setting), and 17 minutes in "fast" mode. Using text only (no graphic images) increases speed to 10 minutes in 4800x1200dpi, 4 minutes in best, and 5 minutes in fast mode.

Alternatives to Microboards Print Factory include purchasing inkjet printers by Primera, and Rimage and/or upgrading to thermal printers. All of these options are available at audiolinks.com.

Comparing the Rimage Inkjet Printers to the Print Factory:

The Rimage line is MAC compatible, a real plus for professional label design. With Rimage products you have the option of mixing and matching - purchasing an all in one system or picking only the components you need to complement your existing hardware. For example, if you already have a satisfactory duplicator, you can purchase the label printer only. The capacity of the Rimage Inkjet is higher than the Print Factory with the ability to load up to 120 discs in one pass.

With Rimage printers, CD-R DVD-R labeling has become more affordable than farming out projects to professional printing companies, while retaining offset quality and yielding durable, photo-realistic labels. This technology allows you to achieve label effects previously unattainable at lower costs, including photo quality printing.

The Rimage desktop publisher has three options to choose from and can be connected to a PC, Mac, or a network with an unlimited amount of client computers, (perfect for companies on a strict budget). However, the host computer must have a Windows operating system.

The Rimage comes as an automated CD copier, DVD copier, or a combo package with 2 CD and 2 DVD drives. The CD copiers give you the choice of 1,2, and 4 recorders with 100, or 120-disc capacity. The DVD copier has the same features, with the additional advantage of also copying CD's. For not much more money the combo package gives you 2 CD and DVD drives with a 120-disc capacity. And, the DVD copier becomes a more efficient product, producing 18 more discs than the combo package per hour.

This line of printers compares favorably to both traditional screen and magazine print standards, delivering top-notch CD printing quality.

Comparing the Primera Thermal Printers to the Rimage and the Print Factory
PRINTERS
PROS
CONS
Rimage
Conserves ink
Labels one disc at a time
Print Factory
Capable of 1000+ disc printing per day

Capable of printing 200 discs in one hour

Can be used in series for expanded output

Best value for price

Loads 50 Discs at a time

Uses Inkjet Printable Media only (Matte Surface)

Not Mac compatible
Primera
(thermal)

Holds up to 400 Discs

Choice of 3 different printers (Signature PRO, Signature IV and Aurora)

No Networking capability

Not Mac compatible

The automated Primera, which is comprised of the Bravo, Composer XL, Composer Pro, and Composer Max can be connected via network, however the host must be a Windows operating system. The Bravo II is also a well-rounded publisher that is significantly less expensive than the Rimage publishers but is only capable of holding 25 discs at a time. The Primera Bravo is recommended for individuals who are printing at most 50 discs per day.

Now let's take a brief look at thermal printers as compared to inkjet printers: The advantage of thermal printers is flexibility; the disadvantage is that they cost more initially. With a thermal printer you can print on the entire range of available disc media (Printable surface CD-R/DVD-R, 12.0cm CD-R/DVD-R, 8.0cm Mini-disc, 5.9cm x 8.5cm CD-R business card etc…), many of which are less expensive than the printable surface CD-R/DVD-R type disc. The less expensive CD's can significantly outweigh the greater cost of the thermal printer - the decision depends on the volume you intend to print.Hopefully this article has helped you in deciding which printer is best for you. If you have questions or want our help in deciding, please email us or call 1-800-516-6955.

Note: If you find this type of editorial useful please let us know and we will be glad to add additional copy to help you out. Feel free to email us your questions and ideas for other articles.

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