CD printing equipment allows you to print a graphic design, logo or other image directly onto a CD or DVD. There are several types of CD printers, and the one that will work best for you will depend on the type of images you want to produce.

Most suppliers of CD printers provide a user's manual with their products to help you learn how to use the product. Aside from this, you may want to expand your CD printers education and training with the following options.

1. Learn the basic types of machines used in CD printing and determine the differences between them.

2. Use online resources to help you understand the printing process for CDs and DVDs.

3. Consider getting training for speciality types of CD printers like pad printers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with the basics for CD printing equipment

Even before you buy your equipment, you may want to start your education with the basics of this type of printing. Get an overview of the types of printers available and determine the best one for your needs. Also make sure you understand the basics of printing a CD so you don't ruin your products.

I recommend: CD Dimensions provides and overview of the three main types of CD printers in use today. You can also chat with a product specialist, if you have any questions about the company's products. SuperMediaStore.com offers a guide on inkjet CD printers, which includes the steps to use to print a CD.

Take advantage of online CD printers education and training

The Internet provides a variety of resources for use with CD printers from tutorials teaching how to design the artwork to ones showing how to use the printers. The more information you have, the better your image will turn out.

I recommend: PhotoshopSupport.com offers tutorials on how to CD label templates for use with your CD printers. It takes you step by step through the creation process. YouTube offers a video tutorial that teaches how you can print a DVD or CD with an Epson printer.

Specialize your training for CD printing machines

Basic CD label printers or CD duplicator printers may not provide you with the quality you need for your printing. Speciality printers offer multi-function printing with a professional quality. Many manufacturers offer training when they sell you a machine, so be sure to ask about this when you shop around for a printer.

I recommend: Pad Print Machinery of Vermont provides a technical article on pad printers and their use to print CDs. The company also offers training at its facility for people who want to learn to use a pad printer. ThomasNet offers "5 Keys to Successful Pad Printing," which explains how to run a successful pad printing business.

More and more companies these days are switching from manually applying CD labels to CD printers. This CD printing equipment cuts down on the time needed to create and duplicate CDs. Many models offer automation, allowing you to set up the creation of one copy, and letting the machine do the rest.

Switching to CD label printers that apply the image directly to the disk without the need to attach a separate label will save your company time and money. Follow these steps to ensure you find the right CD printer for your needs:

1. Know your company’s CD printing needs.

2. Figure out the type and amount of CDs you will be making.

3. Decide on a vendor that sells CD duplicators and printers.

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Look into the type of CD printing equipment that your company requires

Some machines print only the labels, while others are both CD duplicators and printers. Some CD printers can print in a multitude of colors, while others print in just black and white. It is important to know what your CD printing needs are now and to predict your usage in the future.

I recommend: US Digital Media Inc. has a great web page that explains the various types of CD printers available. CD Dimensions Inc. offers a free online buying guide to give you recommendations of the kind of CD printers that would be the best fit for your company.

Consider the types of CDs you will making with your CD printer station as well as the volume

If your company will only reproduce a few CDs a day with no need for color, then you can probably get away with one of the low-end CD printing machines that have fewer features. If your organization will be mass-producing CDs with full color and highly detailed labels, then you should start your search at the higher-end models that offer features such as automation and a high DPI number to ensure graphics come out nicely.

I recommend: PC Universe has a search tool that lets you hone in on exactly what type of CD printer you are looking for. You can narrow down the search results by volume, speed and quality to show you only products that give you the output you will need. Diskmakers.com features a number of automated CD printers with detailed explanations on the benefits of using an automated system.

Find CD duplicator printers online

The Internet is a great resource for gathering information about CD duplicators and printers as well as finding a vendor that sells one that meets all of your specifications.

I recommend: Microboards Technology offers many types of Inkjet and Thermal CD printers such as CD/printer combination equipment or solely disk duplicators. Primera Technology, Inc. has many CD printing equipment options in a full range of prices. Summation Technology, LLC specializes in CD printing and duplication technology. ProDuplicator.com offers a number of CD printers from many different manufacturers. You are sure to find the right printer to meet all of your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Tracking the time your employees currently spend creating CDs will give a great starting point when you begin your search.
• •  Utilizing a CD printer will help lengthen the lives of your company's and your customers' disk players as CD labels tend to wear out and start to peel over time, often coming off inside the machine. This may lead to the need for disk drive repairs or replacement.

Modern technology has transformed the once-manual process of pasting an image on a CD into a time-saving and cost-efficient automated process. Different types of CD printers are available in the market as per the application requirements.

While using CD printers for your applications, you will come across various technical terms that state types and specifications of these printers. This guide will explain various key terms related to CD printers, such as CD labels, logotypes, inkjet or thermal disc printers and pad printing process.

Action Steps
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CD Labels

A CD label can either be manually attached or can be printed directly onto the CD. There are many advantages of opting for the latter, using CD printers.

I recommend: PhotoshopSupport.com, a knowledge resource for Adobe Photoshop, provides a tutorial on CD label templates and label printing tips. Summation Technology, a supplier of data duplicating equipment, including CD printers, provides a comparison of CD printers and stick-on CD labels.

Logotypes

Various promotional or campaigning CDs have their respective company logotypes printed on them. A logotype (commonly known as logo) is a trademark or a graphic that represents a company or business. The logo typically gives viewers an insight into the type of business that it represents.

I recommend: To learn more about logos, you can browse through the Hoover Web Design website.

Inkjet CD/DVD printers

An inkjet CD/DVD printer transfers an image directly to a CD. These printers come in variations, depending upon your requirements. Additionally, if your operation requires mass output, you can opt for the auto loader feature.

I recommend: CDROM2GO.COM, part of USDigital Media Inc., provides a definition of inkjet CD/DVD printers and explains their features and capabilities.

Thermal CD printers

A thermal printer creates high quality CD labels. These printers use pressure and heat to apply text and graphics to the CD. A thermal printer is useful only for simple text and graphics.

I recommend: CD Dimensions, an online store for CDs/DVDs and their related equipment, provides detailed information about thermal disc printers.

Automated CD Printers

If your operation requires mass output, you can opt for an automated CD printer. These printers support both small and large outputs.

I recommend: To learn more about automated CD printers, you can read through a technical article at Sofpicks.NET.

Pad printing process

The pad printing process is extremely useful for printing images on a CD. This printing process transfers a 2D image onto a 3D object.

I recommend: You can learn the basics of the pad printing process at Pad Print Machinery of Vermont and Teca-Print AG (PDF). For more information about the pad printing process, browse through Pad Printing Network, a Service Tectonics’ Web site.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

DPI is the smallest amount of ink that a given printer can print. Up to some extent, a printer with a higher DPI produces a clearer and more detailed image. A printer does not necessarily have a single DPI measurement. Each printer has a specific DPI range. Thus, while choosing a printer, you will need to keep in mind the image quality requirements and choose a printer accordingly.

I recommend: To learn more about DPI, you can read through an informative article at Steve Hoffmann's Nature and Landscape Photography.

Whether you are a small music recording operation, a business that wants to expand your marketing campaign, or a company that wants to put employee training on disc, a CD printer is a good investment. The price you pay for these machines depends upon the type of machine, the capacity of the machine and the power source.

When you are preparing your budget to absorb CD printers pricing and costs, consider the following suggestions:

1. Buy a basic CD label printer for in house discs or jobs that require single color labels.

2. Invest in full color, CD duplicator printers to enhance the look of your discs.

3. Remember to include funds for the recurring cost of purchasing ink for the printers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider purchasing basic CD label printers

A CD label printer doesn't write any digital content onto the CD, it simply prints a label for the CD. Many basic CD label printers print only in a single color ink and are battery operated. This makes it ideal for companies that want to label in-house only CD's. Most of these models include a QWERTY keyboard. That feature makes it a stand alone printer that is ideal for printing in various locations.

I recommend: You can find CD label printers at PROVANTAGE Superstore, which are priced between $55 and $70. Ritz Interactive offers a basic CD label printer for under $70.

Upgrade to CD duplicator printers

CD duplicator printers print CD labels in full color. Some of these machines will also imprint digital copy onto the disc. The price you pay for these models depends upon the capabilities of the machine and the speed of printing.

I recommend: SuperMediaStore.com is a CD printer supplier. You can expect to pay from $100 to $14,500 for a CD duplicators and printers from this company. Free shipping is offered on transactions meeting a minimum purchase amount. Electric Picture Company sells CD printing equipment. Prices range from $150 to $8,000 for CD printers and CD duplicator printers.

Factor in the cost of ink for your CD printers

Ink for CD printers varies greatly in price. This varies according to the type of ink, the CD printer model and the quality of the ink. Generally, ink transfer rolls are more costly than liquid ink but the transfer rolls provide a higher quality print than liquid ink. However, the transfer rolls usually last longer than liquid ink and won't dry out with extending periods of inactivity.

I recommend: You can find a varied selection of CD printer supplies at Rima.com. Prices from this company range from $20 to $125 for ink ribbons for CD printing machines. ProDuplicator sells CD printer ink ribbons and transfer rolls. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $400.