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savageamusement · 06-13-2006, 05:49 AM

OKay normally I use the white lableed dvds, and just print on them -
BUt lately I have been just writing a quick note on the disc-
usually with a Sharpee marker.

Has anyone noticed-
That if you use a marker on dvd-
does this cause read errors?

Or rather, is it wrong to use MARKER or ink on a dvd - does it bleed through or can it, and cause any problems.

I can't see that a marker would be more troublesome then a printer, but someone recently told me it bleeds through and can cause read errors later on.

Is this a urban legend?

padre · 06-13-2006, 08:49 AM

No, I've never had one issue caused by writing with a Sharpee (as long as you're writing on the non-data side!

Maybe the cheap (crap) media has a thinner top layer, but most dvds I've worked with are thick enough on the top not to 'bleed' down.

jennymcc · 06-13-2006, 09:12 AM

Hi Kim,

I always use a sharpee and have not had any problems!

... yet

T-Greg · 06-13-2006, 09:33 AM

Sharpie is recommended...never use a ballpoint pen.

savageamusement · 06-13-2006, 10:58 AM

I didn't think so but, my friend came over- and asked me for a copy of something
So i grabbed the disc after, and jotted down the title and he gave me a 20 minute lecture about how ink can 'permeate" the dvd and bleed throughunderneath and give read errors and so on.
And furthormore, stated that it affects the "laser reading"

and that discs should be kept silver or white, and with no ink etc- as this can cause problems.

So I tried to read up on such a thing- and did find numerous comments about cd's the ollllld ones the cheap ones.
but nothing about dvds.

So I thought he was off his rocker.

But, on the far side of that, I know when I used ot print out labeles for my dvds, those DON"T read, and don't liek being copied at all!
And someone told me that that was due to the ?reflectability? being diminished.

So I thought I had better ask before my head exploded

loren · 06-13-2006, 11:06 AM

i have had a few people insist that the only marking be in the inner ring where no data is recorded

usualy its the clear part on discs

for my own use, working copies, i use a sharpie and write nice and big, since i want it to be easy to read

when i send things, i usualy use a ultra fine marker, and write pretty small

that way, somecan san either mark them in their favorite way, or just take and eraser and remove all marking, or in the case of the ty discs i normaly use, run them through the thermal printer and label them any way they want

padre · 06-13-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savageamusement

But, on the far side of that, I know when I used ot print out labeles for my dvds, those DON"T read, and don't liek being copied at all!
And someone told me that that was due to the ?reflectability? being diminished.

Most of the problems with applied labels (paper or otherwise) have to due with two things - centering and glue. Even with the best holder and alignment system, the label just has to be off by a hair and it'll wobble, causing read errors. The glue used on the label can cause decay of the surface of the disc and cause all sorts of problems. Those are the reasons I switched to printables (for my self), as they are factor installed and use a specific kind of glue that won't cause issues.

I've heard of people who had non-readable dvds with labels, they removed the labels (soaking them, ripping them, whatever) and then they could read the data.

loren · 06-13-2006, 11:46 AM

i have spend a lot of time removing stick on labels

oh what fun

i still have a bunch that have them on, when i recently updated almost all of my equipment to the latest nec 3550 series, i noticed that none of the labeled discs would run in the new machines

i went to my small bartch machine, with older 3520 nec drives, and they worked on that one just fine

it depends a lot on the read drive if they will run

marvelousmarcus · 06-13-2006, 12:17 PM

Labels are far worse than a sharpee on a disc.

TVFactFan · 06-13-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelousmarcus

Labels are far worse than a sharpee on a disc.

I will keep that in mind because I started putting the sticky INSIDE the sleeve instead of OUTSIDE the sleeve

marvelousmarcus · 06-13-2006, 12:55 PM

I don't think enclosing a sticky will do anything, but labels have always been a problem. The can pick up moisture, start to peel or crack and throw off the weight of a the disc. T

Dragonbear · 06-13-2006, 12:56 PM

And in Recap

Sharpee = Good
Ball Point Pen = Bad
Writing in Crayon = Funny but Bad
Labels= Jury Is still out but probably bad.

As long as the silver layer on the top of the disc is intact
then writing on them with a sharpee shouldn't do anything
at all. It's when that layer is broken and light shines through
that the laser gets confused and you end up with a new coaster.

masterblooregard · 06-13-2006, 01:29 PM

I have heard that regular Sharpies do eventually bleed through or damage the disc over time. There are certain markers designed to write on discs, which can usually be found at Wal Mart or anywhere really for under 5 bucks. That's what I always use anyway.

http://www.suppliesstore.co.uk/produ...es/KF02305.jpg

loren · 06-13-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterblooregard

I have heard that regular Sharpies do eventually bleed through or damage the disc over time. There are certain markers designed to write on discs, which can usually be found at Wal Mart or anywhere really for under 5 bucks. That's what I always use anyway.

http://www.suppliesstore.co.uk/produ...es/KF02305.jpg

unfortunately those markers work for crap

i used to get them free from my disc supplier, and had about a hundred in a drawer, for some day

they werent worth the free to me

sharpie ultra fine last a long time

well over a thousand discs

i think i pay about 40-50 cents each during the school time sale at o depot by the dozen pack

the low amount of ink they use, leads me to believe that its a nonfactor

masterblooregard · 06-13-2006, 03:36 PM

I guess it depends on the brand. The ones I use are Maxell brand, and they've been working great for me for probably 2 years now-- ever since I purchased my very first DVD recorder.
The only ones I'd say to stay away from are those tall skinny ones. The writing is pretty dull and it just looks bad. But the ones I use are short and fat and the writing is very dark and full and it writes exactly like a sharpie permanent marker, but with the added bonus of knowing it won't damage your discs in the long run.
But I can't say from experience that using regular markers does damage discs, since I've never had it happen to me (although I've never actually even tried it)-- but I would just rather not take the risk.

06-13-2006, 05:49 AM	#1
savageamusement Cutest Couch Potato Senior Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2003 Posts: 2,103	HELP quick question/dumb question OKay normally I use the white lableed dvds, and just print on them - BUt lately I have been just writing a quick note on the disc- usually with a Sharpee marker. Has anyone noticed- That if you use a marker on dvd- does this cause read errors? Or rather, is it wrong to use MARKER or ink on a dvd - does it bleed through or can it, and cause any problems. I can't see that a marker would be more troublesome then a printer, but someone recently told me it bleeds through and can cause read errors later on. Is this a urban legend?
	__________________ WWW.SavageTraders.org To avoid channel surfing Wipeouts!

06-13-2006, 09:12 AM	#3
jennymcc VP:AmCanTranConComCo Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 13, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 206	Hi Kim, I always use a sharpee and have not had any problems! ... yet
	__________________

06-13-2006, 10:58 AM	#5
savageamusement Cutest Couch Potato Senior Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2003 Posts: 2,103	I didn't think so but... I didn't think so but, my friend came over- and asked me for a copy of something So i grabbed the disc after, and jotted down the title and he gave me a 20 minute lecture about how ink can 'permeate" the dvd and bleed throughunderneath and give read errors and so on. And furthormore, stated that it affects the "laser reading" and that discs should be kept silver or white, and with no ink etc- as this can cause problems. So I tried to read up on such a thing- and did find numerous comments about cd's the ollllld ones the cheap ones. but nothing about dvds. So I thought he was off his rocker. But, on the far side of that, I know when I used ot print out labeles for my dvds, those DON"T read, and don't liek being copied at all! And someone told me that that was due to the ?reflectability? being diminished. So I thought I had better ask before my head exploded

06-13-2006, 12:56 PM	#12
Dragonbear balibt eisl kuschn Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2005 Posts: 224	And in Recap Sharpee = Good Ball Point Pen = Bad Writing in Crayon = Funny but Bad Labels= Jury Is still out but probably bad. As long as the silver layer on the top of the disc is intact then writing on them with a sharpee shouldn't do anything at all. It's when that layer is broken and light shines through that the laser gets confused and you end up with a new coaster.
	__________________ balibt eisl kuschn http://www.savagetradersonline.com

06-13-2006, 08:49 AM	#2
padre Cookie baker Frequent Poster Join Date: May 09, 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 389	No, I've never had one issue caused by writing with a Sharpee (as long as you're writing on the non-data side! Maybe the cheap (crap) media has a thinner top layer, but most dvds I've worked with are thick enough on the top not to 'bleed' down.

06-13-2006, 09:33 AM	#4
T-Greg Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,711	Sharpie is recommended...never use a ballpoint pen.

06-13-2006, 11:06 AM	#6
loren Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,516	i have had a few people insist that the only marking be in the inner ring where no data is recorded usualy its the clear part on discs for my own use, working copies, i use a sharpie and write nice and big, since i want it to be easy to read when i send things, i usualy use a ultra fine marker, and write pretty small that way, somecan san either mark them in their favorite way, or just take and eraser and remove all marking, or in the case of the ty discs i normaly use, run them through the thermal printer and label them any way they want

06-13-2006, 11:46 AM	#8
loren Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,516	i have spend a lot of time removing stick on labels oh what fun i still have a bunch that have them on, when i recently updated almost all of my equipment to the latest nec 3550 series, i noticed that none of the labeled discs would run in the new machines i went to my small bartch machine, with older 3520 nec drives, and they worked on that one just fine it depends a lot on the read drive if they will run

06-13-2006, 12:17 PM	#9
marvelousmarcus Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2004 Posts: 150	Labels are far worse than a sharpee on a disc.

06-13-2006, 12:55 PM	#11
marvelousmarcus Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2004 Posts: 150	I don't think enclosing a sticky will do anything, but labels have always been a problem. The can pick up moisture, start to peel or crack and throw off the weight of a the disc. T

06-13-2006, 01:29 PM	#13
masterblooregard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2006 Location: michigan, usa Posts: 222	I have heard that regular Sharpies do eventually bleed through or damage the disc over time. There are certain markers designed to write on discs, which can usually be found at Wal Mart or anywhere really for under 5 bucks. That's what I always use anyway. http://www.suppliesstore.co.uk/produ...es/KF02305.jpg

06-13-2006, 03:36 PM	#15
masterblooregard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2006 Location: michigan, usa Posts: 222	I guess it depends on the brand. The ones I use are Maxell brand, and they've been working great for me for probably 2 years now-- ever since I purchased my very first DVD recorder. The only ones I'd say to stay away from are those tall skinny ones. The writing is pretty dull and it just looks bad. But the ones I use are short and fat and the writing is very dark and full and it writes exactly like a sharpie permanent marker, but with the added bonus of knowing it won't damage your discs in the long run. But I can't say from experience that using regular markers does damage discs, since I've never had it happen to me (although I've never actually even tried it)-- but I would just rather not take the risk.