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Problems with Disc Labeling
![[michael_delete]](/webx/?30@@1)
michael_delete (apparently)
- 09:03am May 19, 2004 PSTvia emailRegarding your announcement of the disclabel application, I'd like to share the basics of a recent article in the most recommendable German computer magazin c't (which is an abbreviation of "computer technik").
<
http://www.ctmagazin.de/>
<
http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=07667>
In issue 9/2004 p.134 under the title "Auf Kleben und Tod" the author concentrated on the effect of self-adhesive labels, which can be used with ink jet printers.
* DVDs are more robust, because the data layer is shielded with equal plastic layers from both sides. CDs have a plastic layer on the data side, but only a very thin layer on the label side.
* DVDs are more damageable, because of the higher data density.
* The thicker the label material the more likelier the CD or DVD will become out-of-balance which may be an issue with high-speed drives.
* Only very thin labels (with a shiny metallic look) behaved well, i.e. without a significant impact on the balance.
* Never ever remove a label by pulling, because this bends the disc too much and especially with CDs may destroy the covering layer.
I will change to a soft marker pen...
Unfortunately this article is not available on-line.
- Michael
PS: "Auf Kleben und Tod" is an untranslatable pun, it sounds like "auf Leben und Tod " which is translated "on life and death", but "kleben" is "to glue".
brian_wessels
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May 20, 2004 7:49 pm
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Re: Problems with Disc Labeling
This topic could use more exposure in the world (or maybe I'm just missing it). Following the prevailing wisdom, I have never labelled CDs, but I'm tempted. A bunch of nearly-identical silver discs in the auto-visor holder is not ideal.
Are there any data on failure rates of discs with labels? Do higher-quality discs (for instance, gold discs?) endure labelling better? It would be ideal if MacWorld or someone would go into the lab with this and report back.
-Brian
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chik (apparently)
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May 21, 2004 4:04 pm
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Re: Problems with Disc Labeling
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Geoff.Odhner (apparently)
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May 21, 2004 4:04 pm
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Re: Problems with Disc Labeling
On 5/20/04 at 7:49 PM, brian_wessels <brian_wessels  alumni.clarku.edu>
wrote:
> This topic could use more exposure in the world (or maybe I'm just
> missing it). Following the prevailing wisdom, I have never labelled
> CDs, but I'm tempted. A bunch of nearly-identical silver discs in the
> auto-visor holder is not ideal.
>
> Are there any data on failure rates of discs with labels? Do
> higher-quality discs (for instance, gold discs?) endure labelling
> better? It would be ideal if MacWorld or someone would go into the
> lab with this and report back.
There are some informal data, but little formal data. Paste-on labels
appear to be a bad idea, for starters, but you might do well to look at
the following sources:
http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20010719S0003< http://www.
informationweek.com/story/IWK20010719S0003>
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=
15800263< http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?
articleID=15800263>
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/01/24/0054242< http://slashdot.org/
article.pl?sid=04/01/24/0054242>
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/CDandDVDCareandHandlingGuide.
pdf< http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/
CDandDVDCareandHandlingGuide.pdf>
http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/onepage.pdf< http://www.itl.
nist.gov/div895/carefordisc/onepage.pdf>
Using a CD printer on discs that are sold as printable is considered
safe, and some soft tip pens are sold for use on CDRs, but as the
articles make clear, the variables are considerable, and the testing can
only approximate the effects of aging, if you want to consider truly
long term data storage.
--
Geoff
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stokes@lava.net
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May 26, 2004 7:05 am
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Re: Problems with Disc Labeling
Problems with Disc Labeling
Aloha from Kauai,
This problem is one that perhaps needs our input as users since industry does not seem to follow our perceived needs.
I have used CDs since they appeared early on. I have nearly 1000 on hand produced commercially and by individuals. I have given away more than I can now remember. Was it really late 1980's that CD-Rs and readers cost $1,500 or so?
In that time I had one audio disk split in half in the player. The disk was favorite and produced by Sony. Having played it hundreds of times I merely tossed it into the trash and got another copy.
I have had one disk with my self applied label pull the media from the plastic disk when I pulled the label because I misaligned it. I have pulled labels off and washed the glue/paper residue off; over which I re-applied a new label with no adverse effect.
I have one disk with my self applied label cause the drive to vibrate excessively and become un-useable.
I have applied several hundreds of labels supplied by Imitation as Label-and-go and those of Avery 2-up with only these three mishaps.
Is it fair to say the failure rate is below 1
Mahalo,
Earl
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brians (apparently)
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Jun 3, 2004 6:59 am
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Re: Problems with Disc Labeling
My experience with stick-on disc labels (Avery brand) matches
Earl's--next to no problems with hundreds of discs. I think the
off-center problem is wildly exaggerated. I'm far from perfect at
centering labels and have never had a problem on any player.
However, one person for whom I burned a disc left it in her car's
stereo in the sun, and the label peeled loose and gummed up her
player, necessitating an expensive repair. Never had that happen in
my car, though I often leave home-made CDs in the car player. I'm
careful to press the label down firmly after applying now.
--
Paul Brians
Professor of English
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-2050
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/
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