DVD Label Design Software

levis wrote on 3/4/2008, 6:28 PM

Hello, I'm hoping someone can recommend 'easy to use' but flexible DVD label design software. I currently use either the Canon Label print (came with my printer) and/or Nero Cover and Label design.
The Canon template is limited as far as adjusting hole size for DVD's and will not save as pfd, The Nero product is limited in design techniques.
If anyone knows of an easy to use product that gives a great result, I'd appreciate it.
Thank you

Comments

dfred wrote on 3/4/2008, 6:44 PM

Hi Carolyn,

I don't know a lot about this but am glad to share what little I do know. Two of my computers have Lightscribe and the program used with those is called "Express Labeler" by Sure Thing. I like using it and the ability to burn a title right into a disc is great.

When this program opens it has a warning that paper labels can cause some DVDs not to play. I don't know if you are using a Lightscribe or not but that would eliminate the need for paper labels altogether.

That said, the Express Labeler sounds much ilke your Canon template. I can burn titles, even pictures (though they are burned in black); however, the design is often "messed up" due to the hole of the DVD being smack in the middle of it.

I clicked on the link to upgrade within my program and read more about the version you purchase. I can't remember the version number but you could Google it and find out. Then I emailed them and asked if you can include graphics or pictures and resize them - they told me yes, you can, but if you are interested in this, you may want to email them yourself to double check this.

Check for this at Amazon.com as I've seen some reviews there and folks seem to like it. We are trying to cut back on expenses this year so I'm not certain if or when I will buy it. The free version has worked very well but as I get more into the video and photos it would be neat to burn one of my own photos onto the disc!

Now, I mention burning to the disc a lot but you could certainly burn to a label as well with this program I mentioned above.

Good luck. Please post again if you do purchase something and let me/us all know about it.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 3/4/2008, 6:58 PM

I like the Epson Print CD program. Strangely, it's free if you get it from a non-USA epson support site (IE UK, russia, etc).

But I do most of my work in The Gimp. I know you can print directly on the disc via a photo program, I just never bothered.

TOG62 wrote on 3/4/2008, 11:33 PM

I use Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker (http://www.acoustica.com/cd-label-maker/) and find it very good. You can try it for free.

Mike

richard-courtney wrote on 3/5/2008, 6:07 AM

I use my general paint program since I already have it. (my case Paint Shop Pro)

I have Epson brand printer so my template might not work for Canon.
Once you have a template made I put it on a layer so I know where the inner and
outer rims are. When I print I turn off the template layer and print to the printer in
"CD DISC" mode. This mode pulls a special tray that the disc fits in through the
printer.

levis wrote on 3/5/2008, 9:38 PM

Thanks all for your helpful tips.
I'm downloading some trial versions from your suggestions and sure that one will suit my requirements.
Thanks again
Carolyn

Greg_M wrote on 3/6/2008, 4:52 AM

carolyn,

Neato.com sells Mediaface 5 and all of the labels you could imagine. Cheap and works well.

Greg

Martin C wrote on 3/6/2008, 8:30 AM

Does anyone know of an inexpensive colour printer that can print directly onto those white-coated DVDs, please?

Cheers

Martin C

TheHappyFriar wrote on 3/6/2008, 8:39 AM

Epson R280 & Canon makes one. don't know the model #.

dreamlx wrote on 3/6/2008, 10:28 AM

You might also want to try Discus from www.magicmouse.com.

bnjenter wrote on 3/6/2008, 11:55 AM

I've used SureThing CD/DVD Labeler since ver 1. Now in ver 5 and it's always made quick work of making labels simply. Lots of prefab backgrounds if you're into that. I mostly use PhotoShop to create the label and transfer it into ST CD Labeler. Prints labels and also prints to print directly into the disk if you own a printer that does that. There's a free trial and I think it costs around $25. Give it a try—it's costs you nothing.
Bob

vkrhodes wrote on 3/6/2008, 12:10 PM

Ditto, I have been using Acoustica for over a year now. Very easy to learn, bunches of templates and you can adjust measurements for hole size and disk size.

Terry Esslinger wrote on 3/6/2008, 1:38 PM

I have both Discus and SureThing and find that I use Discus much more.

levis wrote on 3/7/2008, 2:33 AM

Hi all and thanks for all your feedback & experience.

I've looked at most of the recommended software here and I really like the Acoustica product. What I failed to mention in my original post was that I'm not looking for a Lightscribe product - just to print on printable DVD's with Canon printer.

In saying that, I still think the CD Label print that comes with the Canon printer (I've got Pixma 4200) is still the most flexible (amazingly enough!). The only problem for me is that when I need to outsource DVD duplication along with the DVD label artwork, the Canon product will not allow to save as pdf (or any other transportable format for that matter) - will only print to the Canon printer, most annoying.
Thanks again
Carolyn

TOG62 wrote on 3/7/2008, 4:18 AM

In saying that, I still think the CD Label print that comes with the Canon printer (I've got Pixma 4200) is still the most flexible (amazingly enough!).

Yes, I like the Canon program and use it most of the time. My main gripe is that it can't print properly on full-face printable discs. It is strange that it can't print to other printers, but I suppose it's understandable.

One plus point for Acoustica is that they do publish quite frequent free updates.

Mike

TheHappyFriar wrote on 3/7/2008, 4:30 AM

get PDF995. It is a PDF maker that's a printer driver.

TOG62 wrote on 3/7/2008, 6:25 AM

That won't help with the Canon software as you can't select any printer other than a Canon one.

Mike

PeterWright wrote on 3/7/2008, 5:00 PM

Carolyn & TOG62 - if one of your problems with the Canon software is getting the hole small enough, have you found the File / Select Paper function - took me ages to come across this, but this is where you set up new profiles for new sizes, including full face (small hole) discs

levis wrote on 3/7/2008, 5:46 PM

Thanks Peter,
You don't have any magic tricks for the Canon product to recognise another printer driver other that Canon (to convert to pdf) do you?
Carolyn

dfred wrote on 3/7/2008, 6:05 PM

I have an MP500 - how do I know if this has "label print?" If I go to Start, Programs, where do I go from there to see if I have this capability?

levis wrote on 3/7/2008, 6:44 PM

Hi
The CD Label Print software usually comes on CD with your printer - or you can download from the Canon web page at:
http://support-au.canon.com.au/EN/search?canonsearch=1&lang=EN&category=All-in-One+Printers&series=All-in-One+Printers&model=PIXMA+MP500&menu=Download

PeterWright wrote on 3/7/2008, 8:53 PM

No magic tricks I'm afraid.

Have you tried saving as Image (bmp or jpg) then using other software, such as a paint program to convert to pdf? - I just tried this with PaintShopPro/Jaws PDF Creator.

TOG62 wrote on 3/8/2008, 1:05 AM

Fantastic! Wonder why you can set it up under 'paper', yet can't adjust the hole size for full face under Adjust Circle size.

Thanks for the tip.

Mike

dfred wrote on 3/8/2008, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the tip. I'll check my CD and online. I checked the link you provided and it's for Australia and New Zealand only. I'll hunt around a bit more. Maybe the tip will get me to it for my printer here in the US.

navydoc wrote on 3/9/2008, 8:19 AM

Carolyn,

I use Avery's labels and free labeling software with my Canon 6700D printer. I've had great results. Here's a link for Avery full face labels and you can find the link to the free labeling software there too.

Avery labels

Doc