Can my LightScribe laptop really print CDs?

Q: I learned why paper labels are not a good idea, and want to learn how to print directly on the CD. Can my LightScribe laptop really print CDs? Where do you put the ink in? Are other systems better?

A: Yes, your LightScribe enabled lap top really can print CDs. The LightScribe doesn't use ink but instead uses its laser to "etch" a design into a special, dye coating on the label side of a LightScribe disc.

LightScribe discs are printed in grayscale, like a black and white photo. Because many new laptops and desk top computers come with a LightScribe burner built in, this is a great solution for a business or individual who is burning only one or two discs a day, but still needs to create a disc with a polished and professional look.

The Pros:

• If you are printing low volumes, you don't need to worry about purchasing ink refills and related pains.
• Many new computer systems come with LightScribe built in.
• Creates professional looking discs.

The Cons:

• Requires special discs – which come with the LightScribe logo printed on the hub.
• Limited to grayscale designs. (No color printing.)
• LightScribe Labeling is much slower than typical inkjet printers.

We've heard reports of full-disc prints taking up to 20 minutes in a LightScribe burner. There was a software upgrade two years ago that promised to improve the labeling speed by up to 30 percent. According to my math, however, that still puts the label speed at over 10 minutes. Compare that with the 2 minutes it takes to print a full label on a typical inkjet disc printer and there's no contest.
However, LightScribe labels burn in concentric circles, beginning at the center of the disc and moving outward. So, images with the largest diameters would take the longest amount of time to print. You can save a lot of time by using LightScribe's "content mode," which creates a decorative border that contains images and text around the center of the disc.
So, to answer whether or not using your LightScribe burner is the best option for you, it will come down to the number of discs you plan to produce and what you want your final look to be. LightScribe is perfect for very small quantities. If you plan to do more than a handful of discs in a given day, however, you'll want to look at disc printers designed for creating larger quantities.
Whether you decide to use your LightScribe enabled disc burner or purchase a larger disc publishing system, I do recommend you sign up for our Earn Money 2 Burn program. You'll earn 2% back on all the media, media packaging and disc publishing supplies you purchase from Polyline, which you can use toward the purchase of disc publishing equipment. You get to save your EM2B$ for up to two years, so it's there when you're ready to upgrade or replace your current system. It's an easy and affordable way to earn equipment upgrades you know you're going to need.

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