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26 Jan 07 - 01:08 PM (#1948850) Subject: Tech: CD marker From: GUEST,Guest I guess this is a technical question. I need to make some backup CDs and just spoke to the people at MAM-A about their blank CDs. During the talk they told me not to use alcohol-based markers on CDs. I searched and found a marker called Lumocolor, made by Staedtler. Only one I could find that's alcohol-free. Does anyone know if the alcohol is really bad for the CD, and are there any other brands of alcohol-free markers out there? Thanks. PS - I've been marking CDs since the early days with "Sharpies," and that's an alcohol-based ink. The ink has bled sideways on the top surface of the older discs, but I've never noticed it affecting the playback. So I'm not sweating over this issue, but I guess I should make a change if one is needed. |
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26 Jan 07 - 01:36 PM (#1948877) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Bill D There ARE markers specially made to not bleed and considered safe, but they are hard to find on the racks at an office supply store. The faster they dry, the better. The ultimate solution is to move to the "LightScribe" type of CD burner, where info is laser-engraved on the top.. (I just got one as a warranty replacement, but have not bought the 'right' CDs yet) |
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26 Jan 07 - 03:11 PM (#1948979) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: GUEST,Dale Re Light Scribe, be prepared to wait a LONG time for the burn process, much longer than the actual recording. I think mine takes just over 20 minutes. I rarely use it anymore. The not quite black on gold doesn't show up all that well either. There is a price premium on the 'right' CDs. Off hand I can't say exactly how much. They will need to improve on the process before it will be really valuable. It needs to at least true black on white or at least the normal shiny disk color. Another thought is the color printing on white disks, also a premium item, but MUCH better results. At work we have an Epson printer which we have just started using. Pictures, text, design is limited only by your imagination. Results are excellent but a bit slow. ONE disk at a time on a special tray loaded from the back. A bit inconvenient, but doable. We will be using it only for special projects. Our normal procedure will remain the same as it has been for a couple of years, a single line of identifying text on the outside edge of the disk, which in most cases means we are not writing on the part of the disk which the file was written. Writers work from the inside out, and unless you are approaching the 80 minute mark or an equivalent amount of data what you write on the edge will mean less bleed through. We do use markers specifically made for CD writing. |
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26 Jan 07 - 03:59 PM (#1949024) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Bill D well...I guess I will continue using regular CDs for now. (I have one 'sample' of the lightscribe CDs I will test...) |
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26 Jan 07 - 04:35 PM (#1949057) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Zhenya You can buy those CD markers in electronics stores and I even saw them in the electronics section of a Target store. I got a 4 pack with different colors, or you can buy a single marker. They're not expensive. At first glance, the package just looks like magic markers, but it says on it that it's specifically for marking CDs and other discs. |
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26 Jan 07 - 04:38 PM (#1949059) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Zhenya Just realized you asked for a brand. I think what I'm using is Maxell. Here's a link: CD markers |
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26 Jan 07 - 04:49 PM (#1949066) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Bill D well! Thanks, Zhenya...that helps the process! |
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26 Jan 07 - 08:28 PM (#1949254) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Bonecruncher Hello Guest I've used the "Lumocolor" by Staedtler for several years. Easy to buy (mine came from the One Pound shop) and no bleed. Colyn. |
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26 Jan 07 - 09:15 PM (#1949280) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Liz the Squeak I use a Pilot no xylene CD marker pen, available in at least red and black, dries instantly, no bleeding problems. LTS |
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26 Jan 07 - 10:48 PM (#1949325) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Arkie I have used Memorex, Fellows, and Maxell brands and I think that Sharpies now makes a CD marker. My preference is the Maxell, though I could not give a scientific reason why. They are harder to find whre I live. Some sound archivists on the ARSCList warn against writing on CDs or suggest marking on the inner clear part of the CD where no recording takes place. The medium is still too recent to know what damage can be caused by markers. I usually write on the outer edge of the CD which is most often blank since CD writers work from the center out to the edge. There is some fear that the ink will bleed through to the recorded side of the CD and would interfere with the laser reading the contents of the CD. Epson makes relatively inexpensive printers that print to CDs, but they do use ink. I |
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27 Jan 07 - 06:16 AM (#1949450) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: treewind I have a big stack of printable CDR blanks and as they are now almost as cheap as the silvery non-printable ones I use them even if I'm not going to print on them. No scientific basis for this, but I think the printable layer may protect the surface better against scribbling with a sharpie. Certainly I've never had one fail due to marking them that way. I do have some proper CD pens, but they make a very weedy thin line that's not so readable when you're looking for something in a pile of CDs. If your CD isn't very full, you are always safe writing near the edge as the recorded material starts at the middle. Anahata |
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27 Jan 07 - 09:59 PM (#1950089) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: GUEST,farleyman311 Marking on the edge may sound safe, but if you damage a disk on the edge, even if it is blank, you will not be able to read it in the drive. |
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28 Jan 07 - 07:59 PM (#1950820) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: GUEST,pattyClink BillD, don't give up the Lightscribes too soon. I love mine. Choose a simple pattern and it only takes 2 minutes. Choose something with a lot of ornate graphics or heavy fill and it takes too long. I think the silvery tone-on-tone is beautiful, but that's just me. |
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28 Jan 07 - 09:28 PM (#1950867) Subject: RE: Tech: CD marker From: Bill D *smile*..ok, thanks..I will try this sample one simply. |