Tech & Gadgets

LightScribe CD/DVD Label Creation – Professional, Creative and Simple

LightScribe Template ImageIn the past, I have been interested in labeling my own created CD and DVD disks. My method of achieving this was to simply buy a label stamp kit and obviously some sticky labels and off I went. Unfortunately this method is full of problems as the labels have a nasty habit of peeling off over time. This means like many people, you find yourself using those rather nasty CD/DVD pens, which has no flare at all especially if you are like me after many years of typing, your hand writing now resembles a scruffy mess.

Recently I invested in an internal DVD/CD writer and LightScribe drive. LightScribe provides an extremely simple way of creating labels without any sticky paper rubbish or alignment issues.

So how does it work? Well the LightScribe compatible DVD/CD writer I purchased was under ยฃ20 and external USB versions are available as well for a little more. With one of these drives fitted, you then have to buy compatible LightScribe disks as without any, you can’t create your labels (however you can still use your standard CD and DVD disks if labeling isn’t required!).

LightScribe Inner CD/DVDYou will notice the LightScribe disk has
an extra feature your standard writable disks don’t have. A series of black marks that vary around the inner section that basically informs your new DVD/CD writer where your disk is positioned. This is useful if you want to go back and add a little extra to an already created disk (as long as you are not overwriting a previous section!).

LightScribe Template LabelerSo now imagine you have created your own data CD and you desire that extra special label. Flip over the LightScribe disk and run the free software that is available on the official LightScribe website. There are two versions you can use. The first is called ‘LightScribe Template Labeler’, which provides a set of templates and the option to download additional ones. With this you can with ease create the most impressive label design using your own photos, text and their templates.

LightScribe Simple LabelerThe second optional program is called ‘LightScribe Simple Labeler’, which just as it suggests allows you to create your most basic design with no fancy la de daa moments. Just a matter of filling in a few text fields and selecting an inner graphic row of images. Purely your no fuss, don’t have the time to be messing about application.

Using the same laser that burned the data onto your disk media, will now etch your monochrome creation on the reverse side (yes it is not full colour, but still the results are extremely pleasing). On my drive this can take between 15 and 23 minutes depending on how defined you want your label to be. You can also purchase a variety of coloured disks if you fancy to go that extra mile.

It is so simple, so creative and full of fun that you can’t resist dabbling with the templates available, allowing your burned CD and DVD disks to finally look like they have been cradled in your arms before being passed onto to your chums. Whether you want to create something professional or you want to dazzle your family and friends, you would be hard pressed to find a better solution than this for the price and also know that the label won’t peel off!

THANK JAMES WITH A COFFEE!
If you enjoyed this content, you can support James' work by purchasing them a coffee...

James Woodcock

James is a Freelance Journalist, Copywriter, Author, Blogger & Podcaster specialising in gaming, gadgets and technology, both retro and modern. Ever since he experienced the first controllable pixel movement on the television screen, he has been entranced by the possibilities and rewarding entertainment value generated from these metal and plastic boxes of delight. Writing hundreds of articles, including commentary and reviews on various gaming platforms, whilst also interviewing well-known industry figures for popular online publications. Creator of the ScummVM Music Enhancement Project and host of the Game & Gadget Podcast. View his portfolio here: James Woodcock's Portfolio.

James Woodcock has 1099 posts and counting. See all posts by James Woodcock

6 thoughts on “LightScribe CD/DVD Label Creation – Professional, Creative and Simple

  • James, I too used to use the LightScribe labeling system. i gave it up because it was too slow (20-25 minutes per label) and it only created labels in two colours. I switched to the Dymo DiscPainter because it prints labels on discs in just 1 minute and it prints in full colour. I decided that I didn’t have to compromise by using a LightScribe. I am a tiny bit surprised that you chose the LightScribe because you always seem so up to date on things.

    Reply
  • The reason I decided to highlight LightScribe was quite simply I now own one, it is extremely cheap and I believe many of my readers might be interested. I do love the idea of the Dymo Disk Painter, however for the mainstream, I believe LightScribe is a more realistic choice in the home unless you are really wanting to spend the extra and desire extremely impressive results.

    For most people, LightScribe should suffice and is surely a far better solution than the dreaded CD/DVD pens. Also the disks take 15-23 minutes only if you are covering the whole disk with a pattern. For a simple text label, it can be about 3-5minutes.

    Thanks for your comment though and provides me the chance to say…

    If anyone wants to find out more about Dymo DiscPainter, visit the link below:

    http://global.dymo.com/enUS/DiscPainter/default.html

    Reply
  • Personally i use printable discs (basically a disc with a printable surface so no chance of it peeling off in years to come) and an Epson RX685 which is not only an excellent printer and prints amoungst other things very high quality photos has a disc printing system built in. It takes next to no time to do (less than 1 min) and all in full colour (photo quality if you use glossy discs).

    You can also get 100 good quality discs (http://www.ukdvdr.co.uk/shop/Datawrite-Titanium-Full-Face-Printable-8X-DVD-R-100-tub-pr-20506.html) for not a lot more than 50 LightScribe and could get 100 ok printable discs for around the same cost as 50 LightScribe discs which could never give the same results (Full Colour Photo Quality)

    Reply
  • Don’t forget though you have to factor in the cost of the printer and the cost of the ink.

    Of course if you want the very best results, then full colour prints are the way to go, however LightScribe is extremely simple thanks to the very good software you can download for free and I expect the disks themselves will come down in price over time as well.

    I guess it depends on whether you want to go into mass production in regards to speed :)

    Reply
  • :xi love my dymo printer:x b/c it makes my cds ssooooo fast….i am done in three minutes with professional quality and the ink is only one cartridge for 40 bucks i think….so far i have printed about 60 cds andeach looks great

    Reply
  • I use lightscribe for photo cds and colour printing for music cds best of both worlds

    Reply

Leave a comment...