I recently saw 2 DVDs I produced in the past
* One created in 2006, printed on a matt white Verbatim DVD-R with an Epson printer - it looked as good as the day I created it.
* One created just a year ago in 2010, printed on a glossy white Shinka DVD-R with a Canon Pixma printer - it was starting to fade and turn 'orangey'
Both clients reassured me the discs were kept in their cases out of the light for most of the time.
My dilemma is I prefer printing glossy discs on the Canon printer as the finished results look superior
What have other users found:
Are certain printer brands more lightfast?
Are certain DVD brands more lightfast?
Are glossy or matt discs more lightfast?
Thanks
JAC
It depends also on the ink used....
Canon *claim* their inks to be fade free for 100+ years.
The cheaper replacements, such as Calidad DO fade in weeks. But for some reason their black ink does not.
Ive got DVD artwork (on disc and sleeve) that ive printed using Canon inks from 2003 and they are still in pristine condition.
As an aside, I have some proofs on the shelf that I needed ASAP for a five minute early morning display, and I had to resort to using Calidad ink. They faded within two weeks. (Mind you, by the time the client approved the gig, the inks were changed.)
But the big disc art killer is WATER. Water and dry ink do not mix.
as an ex printer of over 35 years, I can say that it's not the printed surface that causes light fading it's the inks. Always magenta first, then yellow, black, cyan. How many 'blue' posters have you seen in shop windows? These are usually the ones printed with 'normal' inks. A true poster printer uses 'light fast' inks to delay the fading process - though they will all fade eventually in direct sunlight. Normal inks shouldn't fade though if the printed matter is kept indoors! That shows really cheap 'n' nasty ink! There are also inks used within the printing trade that are water based rather than oil based. These have a good gloss, and are pretty much impervious to sweaty fingers. (the Daily Mail is printed with water based inks, which is why you don't end up with inky fingers). I often wonder why none of the big ink manufactures haven't produced a water based set of inks especially for printing direct to disc.
as an ex printer of over 35 years, I can say that it's not the printed surface that causes light fading it's the inks. Always magenta first, then yellow, black, cyan. How many 'blue' posters have you seen in shop windows? These are usually the ones printed with 'normal' inks. A true poster printer uses 'light fast' inks to delay the fading process - though they will all fade eventually in direct sunlight. Normal inks shouldn't fade though if the printed matter is kept indoors! That shows really cheap 'n' nasty ink! There are also inks used within the printing trade that are water based rather than oil based. These have a good gloss, and are pretty much impervious to sweaty fingers. (the Daily Mail is printed with water based inks, which is why you don't end up with inky fingers). I often wonder why none of the big ink manufactures haven't produced a water based set of inks especially for printing direct to disc.
What an insightful explanation. I found that really interesting, so, thanks Arthur. BTW, I read the papers online....even better way of avoiding inky fingers, but, the chips now don't taste as good :)
but, the chips now don't taste as good :)
Chips.....best use of most of the newspapers today. :)
Chips.....best use of most of the newspapers today. :)
Which prompts me to mention the "i" !
I had been using Shinka and Taiyo Yuden glossy discs, and while the print was nice and glossy, there were always slight scratches on the surface. I thought the problem was my printer. However I just recently tried Verbatim glossy discs - nice glossy print, slightly brighter, and no scratches! Turns out the Verbatims are very slightly thinner so they don't interfere with the print mechanism. Or rather, the Shinka and TYs are slightly thicker than normal.
Interesting Jac. I wasn't aware that DVDs varied in thickness. Might have to get my 'ol printers micrometer out! :)
Interesting Jac. I wasn't aware that DVDs varied in thickness. Might have to get my 'ol printers micrometer out! :)
or look at weight for cake box of 50/100, assuming density is common.