When it comes to CD & DVD Printing nowadays there is so much choice that unlike paper printing (where run size and cost are the main factors), you're

When it comes to CD & DVD Printing nowadays there is so much choice that unlike paper printing (where run size and cost are the main factors), you're faced with the daunting choice of Litho, Screen, Inkjet, Digital and Thermal printing on CDs and DVD's or even a combination of 2 or more of these.

So how do you determine what is best for your run of CDs or DVD's?

As a basic guide, stick to the following principles; solid colours should be screen printed, as should Pantones. CD & DVD artwork consisting of photographs or CMYK mixes with lots of graduations and tints will look better litho printed or better still printed using the new generation of Digital UV cured CD and DVD printers. One of the best examples of this new print process is a new printer developed by Sun Chemical; its resolution, vibrancy of colour and gloss finish gives picture discs an almost 3D feel to them.

Screen printing requires the artwork to be split up into constituent colours. A film is then exposed from each of these colours (usually including a white base). From this film a screen is made; this is a 12cm square porous mesh with the area not to be printed remaining as a non permeable area. Ink of 1 colour is forced through this mesh with a rubber blade (known as a squeegee), onto the surface of the disc. Screen printers can have up to 5 colours, applied one after the other. Once the ink has been applied the disc is passed under a powerful UV lamp that cures the ink, solidifying it. This method allows for some creativity, such as not applying ink in some areas, revealing the silver disc layer beneath, or applying special varnishes to give specific areas of the disc high gloss or conversely a matt finish.

Litho