Dymo's DiscPainter skips the labels, inks directly to disc

Those fed up with printing out circular labels and hoping to get things lined up when customizing a CD can finally look forward to a (relatively) cost effective alternative. Dymo's DiscPainter, which is slated to land sometime this fall, reportedly inks your designs directly to the disc in around 60 seconds at 600dpi, while doubling the resolution is said to increase the wait time to a still-reasonable three minutes. Additionally, the device looks to work with both Windows and OS X-based machines, and will come bundled with one ink cartridge for $279.

[Via SlashGear]

[Preston @ Sep 24th 2007 11:46AM]

That looks pretty sweet. Any alternatives or items like this already on the market that it can be compared to?

[RyanTV @ Sep 24th 2007 1:44PM]

There are plenty of inkjet printers that will print directly on printable CD & DVDs. I have an Epson R220 that does it. But that is the ONLY thing i use that printer for so it equals a lot of lost desk space.

$279 is a bit expensive, but hopefully that is MSRP and they will actually retail closer to $199. I might pick one up at that price just to gain back a few valuable square inches on my desk.

[Larz @ Sep 24th 2007 4:23PM]

Unless you're really into piracy, I don't see much benefit for the cost. LightScribe is much better for me because it uses no desk space (internal drive), no ink to worry about, and the drives are dirt cheap ($50 for a CD/DVD burner with LightScribe). The downside is it's monochromatic (not an issue for me), and requires special discs. But, of course disc printers also require special discs. And there's the initial savings plus the savings on ink, so even the cons aren't bad (unless you really need multichromatic printing).

[vypergts @ Sep 24th 2007 4:41PM]

I prefer the Mark I Sharpie black permanent marker.

[RyanTV @ Sep 24th 2007 8:10PM]

I'm not into piracy, but I am a DJ, so i burn a LOT of CDs. keeping them labeled with track information and categorizing them is very important to me and making very professional looking mixed CDs means a lot.

light scribe does work, but being able to use color is invaluable, not to mention that lightscribe takes a long time to burn.

[Jesse S @ Sep 24th 2007 10:23PM]

Hey Ryan, you should check out the Pacemaker (pacemaker.net), it's a DJ DAP, and it actually has a decent amount of space (120gigs) and a ton of features.

[Wwhat @ Sep 24th 2007 11:08PM]

Don't know about your part of the world but here damn lightscribe discs are 3 times as expensive as normal ones, and printable ones are much cheaper, although still more expensive than normal discs.
Also it's true that lightscribe take a hell of a long time.
But printers require expensive ink of course, so in the end I myself stick with the old marker.

[Zach @ Sep 24th 2007 11:49AM]

I wonder how it works on CDs that aren't blank to begin with. Staples brand CDs have a shiny Staples logo against a matte background. Does it paint it white before printing? If it can get around this, I'm sold.

[HineyWipe @ Sep 24th 2007 11:58AM]

You need Ink-jet printable blanks (CD, DVD ...). I use the "hub printable" kind. You really don't want to use labels as the adhesive has a history of permeating the surface and causes data loss. And labels can cause some balance issues with drive.
Personally, I've gotten good mileage from Epson Photo R300 printer (although the tray feed mechanism effs up over time).
I 'd avoid an inkjet that uses a single ink cartridge. That is just wasteful.
There are other printers (Primera, Canon, Epson Photo) that can do a good job.

[Jamus @ Sep 24th 2007 1:42PM]

Single/individual ink tanks are the way to go if at all possible. It really sucks to throw out a $50 "high yield" cartridge just because one of the colors is out while the other two are still half full.

What makes it worse is how more and more CD printer manufacturers are forcing you to only use their branded inks. They say it is for the good of the consumer, but we all know it is just to keep the price high.

[cpetterborg @ Sep 24th 2007 12:45PM]

I have an R200 that I've used for a few years now. I can even print when booted into Linux (which is 90% of the time), not just WinXP and OS/X (lips that touch Vista will never touch mine). The 6 cartridges are much better than a single cartridge (unless you are doing them all grayscale). I buy sets of cartridges at $50 for 4 full sets of 6 cartridges, so it is VERY inexpensive (about $2 per cartridge, shipping included). The printer only cost me $50, so I think it's a much better bargain.

[Keirmeister @ Sep 24th 2007 1:51PM]

I second this. I've used my Epson R300 for MANY years now, and it works wonderfully. Inkjet hub-printable is the way to go!

[Aaron @ Sep 24th 2007 11:49AM]

I have a Dell Latitude D620 too :(

[Preston @ Sep 24th 2007 12:08PM]

That's what I use at work too, but what does that have to do with the article?

[Matt E. @ Sep 24th 2007 1:31PM]

I think they're referring to the laptop in the pic accompanying the article. I could be wrong.

[ethana2 @ Sep 24th 2007 2:28PM]

Which OS is it running?

...and how many CD label printers are there that work under Linux?

Oh, nevermind. CD and DVD got nothing on SATA drives and 12Mb internet.

[LinkDJ @ Sep 24th 2007 11:51AM]

Wow, that is really cool. How does it do printing holograms? =)

[Spyvie @ Sep 24th 2007 11:51AM]

I have a $99 HP printer from Wallyworld that does a fantastic job printing on printable blanks, a freind has a similarly priced Epson that also works great. I've never timed either of them but they seem quick enough for my needs.

The only problem I have is finding double layer printable blanks.

[prokanda @ Sep 24th 2007 11:52AM]

Haha.

[Benjamin @ Sep 24th 2007 11:51AM]

279$ for that? My Canon Pixma iP5200R Printer prints those too (yes directly on the disc) and cost only about 150€ when I bought it. So did I misunderstand something here or what's so special about that thing?

[OnZeFly @ Sep 24th 2007 12:00PM]

Yes, I was exactly asking myself the same thing! I have a Canon IP4300 which also print directly on CD / DVD, small and normal diameter. The only thing that could make this Dymo worth the cost, is the ink. What kind of ink does it use? If it's standard inkjet printers ink, forget it! But if it is permanent ink, then Mmmm, maybe I'll try that baby!!

[Benjamin @ Sep 24th 2007 12:04PM]

Well, I don't print on discs to often but when I do the results of my printer are really good enough. Best thing of the Canon printers is that you can have cheap like ass ink.

[prokanda @ Sep 24th 2007 11:51AM]

That's pretty awesome.. especially if it works on DVDs too. Kinda pricey though.

[Kurt @ Sep 24th 2007 11:53AM]

My Pixma IP3000 cost me less than $60 and prints directly to the disk (with a firmware upgrade that is).

[OverZealous @ Sep 24th 2007 1:52PM]

For those living in the US, many of the Canon all-in-ones can print on CDs too. I use my (excellent) Pixma MP830 for this. You have to do 2 things, however.

1) Purchase a CD-printing tray, usually from eBay or over seas
2) Trick the printer into thinking it is in the UK.

See here for more info: http://pixma.ulmb.com/

[Spyvie @ Sep 24th 2007 2:16PM]

I don't know if they still have them, but I bought an HP Photosmart 5145 at Walmart for $89 a few months ago.
The "Walmart only" 5145 ships with an excellent disk printing tray.

[Tony C @ Sep 24th 2007 11:56AM]

AFAIK, there's nothing in its class.

There's a pretty kool video of this thing in action -- I'm linking it from competing gadget blog Gizmodo cuz I couldn't find it anywhere else.

Dymo DiscPainter Is Next Big Thing in Stoner Entertainment
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/dymo-discpainter-is-next-big-thing-in-stoner-entertainment-301890.php

[Jesse S @ Sep 24th 2007 12:21PM]

I don't see a video...

Come to think of it, I don't think I ever see Applemodo right. I never see galleries or anything...

Then again, I've only been there a few times...

[Tony C @ Sep 24th 2007 2:34PM]

Umm... The photo they show of the printer is an embedded video. Do you have problems with any other websites' Flash-based stuff?

[Jesse S @ Sep 24th 2007 10:25PM]

Weird, it's there now.

[Balam Herrera @ Sep 24th 2007 12:03PM]

My Epson R270 does the same and more. And it only cost me like $170 or less.

[RIFRAF @ Sep 24th 2007 12:22PM]

I wonder how much the ink cartridges are going to cost?

[Jesse S @ Sep 24th 2007 12:35PM]

Read the slash article...$30

[R Hamel @ Sep 24th 2007 4:52PM]

Good go, where do you buy your ink?

[ebancrawford @ Sep 24th 2007 1:10PM]

I like this. I currently use Lightscribe to make my disc graphics. It makes wonderful looking disks, but the time it takes to do so is off the charts.

Getting the job done in 60 seconds, and in color, well that is just much better.

[TurboFool @ Sep 24th 2007 12:56PM]

Just buy a $100 Epson R280 and print much better quality from a device that can do a heck of a lot more for the lower price.

[Steven @ Sep 24th 2007 12:58PM]

So LightScribe but in colour?

[fmathews25 @ Sep 24th 2007 1:04PM]

Thats what i was thinking...

[wargarurumon @ Sep 25th 2007 1:37PM]

i guess so, but the question is does it also require special discs

[Matt @ Sep 24th 2007 2:07PM]

Not quite. LightScribe uses a laser to etch a monochromatic image into a special coating on a disc. This just lays multicolored ink on top of the disc rather than doing anything to the disc material itself.

[Nathan Soliz @ Sep 24th 2007 1:22PM]

Or for a $109 you can but a Epson R380 which has higher DPI and can print on CD's as well.
We use this for our software and the end result is awesome! I save the files onto a USB stick, pop it into the printer and select which one I need without it being connected to WAN/Network. It takes .TIFF, .BMP, .PNG, and .JPG - Tiff being my choice can keep my layers from photoshop and the CMYK.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63059189

We use Imation White Ink jet FULL Print CD-R's and with Epson's new Claria ink, the images are razor sharp.

[Hans Luijten @ Sep 24th 2007 1:05PM]

I have been using the Epson Stylus Photo RX700 for a little over year now (app. $350) which comes with scanner, regular printing, and CD/DVD printing ... more bang for the buck if you ask me.
(work great on Windows and Mac)

[Diggiti @ Sep 24th 2007 1:10PM]

I have a EPSON R300. It sucked so bad I went back to using labels.
Dymo DiscPainter looks great. But so did the Epson at first

It would be great to hook up 5 at a time and have a little dupe shop

[the other steve jobs @ Sep 24th 2007 1:28PM]

i don't get it. I have an Epson R200 - the quality is fantastic, tho not waterproof. I use disclabel for Mac OS X, and it takes moments to generate incredibly good labels. In fact, my clients are constantly commenting on how good their DVD's look (prototypes and small runs) when i pull these out of the paper sleeves. If you have any kind of ability, you can make great, but not smudge resistant, on-disc labels for well under $100.

what the hell does this do for 3x the cost?

[itchytooth @ Sep 24th 2007 11:25PM]

I echo many others here, saying Epson R200 - cheap (I think mine was $40), generic single color ink cartridges (check meritline for weekly sales), and decent text, photo and CD/DVD printing.

I use it under OS X with Disc Cover.

[jon @ Sep 24th 2007 2:04PM]

I don't get it... I'm starting to think Engadget is more of an advertisers site than showing us what's new. This concept is nothing new. Neither was the Belkin USB hub that you posted last week.

[Alex @ Sep 24th 2007 3:15PM]

my "hacked" Canon IP3000 does the same thing and i paid $80 for it.

[Jean @ Mar 19th 2008 6:16PM]

How did you hack a Canon ip3000 to do the cd face printing? Can send instrunction to a not so computer litterate person? I am just before purchasing a new printer just to do my Cd's. I am now operating a Canon Pixma IP3000 and a HP photosmart p1000 both very good quality for photo printing but now I need Cd's to play in my car and due to heat, warping, labeling with stick on labels render cd's unplayable. Would appreciate your help. Thanks
Jean

[R Hamel @ Sep 24th 2007 3:50PM]

my only guess is that this thing makes for a permanent print, instead of the smudge-able prints from a printer. But I think im gonna just buy an epson and call it a day.

[R Hamel @ Sep 24th 2007 4:55PM]

Q meant for Petterborg