I've never had this happen yet, either.

Jay

Ritek has improved the print surface lately on their disks. Printed disks are incredibly susceptable to moisture damage. Humidity, dampness, a sneeze, the oils in your fingertips, all these can ruin a disk with barely a touch. If you have small children, don't let them anywhere near your disks!

I just don't think a printed DVD is permanant in any way without some kind of coating over the printed surface. I've been using a clear spray that works well on Maxell disks, but puddles on top of the surface of Riteks. Not only that, but I get some of the spray kind of misting around to the playing surface which seems to affect the readabilty if I'm not extremely careful. That plus the fumes make me feek sick. Outside, even the slightest breeze will put a little misting glaze on the wrong side. This is such a problem as far as I'm concerned that I ordered an Accent Disk Laminator, but when I got it it was not working properly. I shipped it back to to the factory in Minnesota. For $60 shipping and insurance it was going to arrive there in two weeks (it ways about 35 pounds). To get there quicker would have been over $100! Anyway at some point I'll get it backworking properly and hopefully have some kind of permanent color disks.

I've used the ritek G04 and G05 discs with 2 diffrent epson printers and I always get great results. On a side note...I wouldn't reccomend the UlTran discs. I bought 100 of them a while back for the really cheap price and I got around 30% of them back becasue they wouldn't read in peoples drives.

Dude, you simply have got to stop taking your DVD's diving with you ;-)

Well I am stupid but they are definitely printable. It even says so on the packet!

It is humid over here in Phuket. Maybe that's the problem. I'll play with the Epson printer settings. I think it can be set to use less ink. The trouble is you don't get the bleeding bleeding effects for a number of weeks so quick tests are impossible. I'll also print 2 the same and keep one in my dry cabinet.

BTW thanks for the heads up on Ultran. I'm not surprised. They were very cheap. I only bought 20 as a trial but I'll use them for not-so-critical jobs.

It's probably the humidity, the inks are water based. I use:
"Colour Protection Spray" made by DISK PRINT B.V.
product of the Netherlands, as a protective coating. Seems to work just fine.
Bob.

There was a problem for a short period of time with Ritek G04 Whiite Inkjet Printable DVDs in that the results looked "frosted', but I don't think that is what you are describing. There was also a problem on the silver matte Riteks whereby the ink would bleed a little if you weren't careful about the saturation level.
In terms of the printer I have never heard of the Epson 210. Do you mean the Epson 200? Are you using aftermarket cartridges or Epson cartridges? That may be your problem if you are.

John

Here's a thought that needs to be mentioned...

Many of the protective sprays that we are using contain benzene, a known human carcinogen. It may seem trivial, but it is important to read labels and use these chemicals accordingly. My brother-in-law is fighting a form of blood cancer (multiple myeloma), probably caused by exposure to benzene at his former workplace.

My purpose is not to scare anyone. Benzene is quite common in many products and is safe when used properly. For more information, see
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/benzene/

Personally, I read labels, wear a mask, spray in well ventilated areas (outdoors) and literally hold my breath when spraying discs.

....but they sure do look good!

210 is the version of the 200 sold here in Thailand. I don't know the exact difference. I'm using genuine Epson cartridges.

Well, my Ritek G04 printables are printing beautifully with the Epson R210 and I'm using Pressit Sprayfix lacquer.

I'm just wondering, those of you who lacquer your printed disks, how much do you put on? At the moment I'm adding a couple of thin coats and the result is kind of 'satin' but I guess I could go on until the whole surface is shiny and properly sealed. Would be interested in comparing notes.

I've also got some standard acrylic lacquer from the hardware shop to try and see what happens.

I put on 2 coats. Sometimes it "bubbles" but the disk is still covers (the bubbles can also normally be seen when the disk is tilted towrds a light source).

I have a big price of cardboard that I lay my disks on. I spray frmo side to side. Then I have a fan in the window & turn on (to exaust the fumes). Yeah, I know it's 14f outside, but I don't like the fumes. :)

I've had a couple of DVDs come out looking like they're still wet and they look real professional. It's impossible to get that look consistently though. Usually, the satin look is good enough and can look good too. When you try to get that super glossy look, too often you end up with a sort of 'orange peel' look and a good chance for overspray to get on the edges of the bottom. I'll use almost any brand of clear acrylic enamel. (open those windows too, at least for the first half hour.) I've never had a single disc bleed at all.

I'm using a purpose made CD/DVD lacquer. Results are pretty good. Unlike other finishes they claim it doesn't make the ink bleed into the lacquer. According to the can details are at:
www.discprint.com
Bob.