The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77173   Message #1393150
Posted By: Cheap Tracks
30-Jan-05 - 09:09 AM
Thread Name: CD labeling
Subject: RE: CD labeling
"I accidently got one of my printable cd's wet. The ink washes right off. That's depressing. Anyone know how to make it more durable?"

I did quite a bit of experimenting with different coatings on printable disks. You need to be very careful because the solvents in some coatings may not show effects on the plastic for weeks after the application.

The best I found was DEFT glossy spray lacquer (look in wood-finishing products). It goes on fairly well, dries quickly, and disks that were coated 6 months ago still look good (no crazing of the plastic).

If you are only doing a disk once in a while, this is probably an OK way to go. I make too many disks to deal with the hassle. The disks have to be protected from dust until the lacquer is dry, the fumes when spraying many disks (even in the garage) is pretty bad, and masking is important so overspray does not get on the data-side of the disk. A batch of 50 or 100 is just not practical for spraying.

An easier option that I have not tried would be to put a clear label over the injet printing. Might be worth a shot.