CD printers serve the purpose of labeling a CD. When we talk about CDs we are referring to CD-R or CD recordable. CD printers can be used on other types of optical media like recordable DVD and recordable Blu-ray. This is distinguished by the term "printable". Thus the terms: printable CD, printable DVD and printable BD-R.
CD printers come in three technologies for on-demand duplication and printing.
Thermal CD Printer - Thermal transfer CD printers use a special ribbon to transfer a waxed based resin to the disc. The transfer process uses heat to release the "ink" from the ribbon. Thermal CD printers are excellent for monochromatic font type and graphics. Thermal CD printers do not reproduce pictures well and rely on a dither process to achieve coloration. Colors do not blend with thermal CD printing. Speed and economy are the strengths of thermal CD printers. Thermal CD printers come in production grade like the Rimage Prism Plus and in low volume options like the Teac P-11 direct disc printer. Printable CDs for this range of CD printers is the least expensive of the other technologies: Inkjet CD printers and thermal re-transfer CD printers.
Inkjet CD Printer-This process uses ink and nozzles to spray out the ink. Inkjet CD printers use the same technology as document inkjet printers. Hewlett Packard is the leader in print engines and HP technology shows up all the time in different manufacturer's CD printer systems. Inkjet printing provides excellent color reproduction and a wide range of printable CD surfaces. Inkjet CD printers also offer high resolution and ease of use. Inkjet printable CDs are more expensive then thermal printable CDs and the ink cartridges can add up depending on the CD printer system. Single ink systems are the most expensive to operate and are designed around very low volume use. CD printers that use two ink are more cost effective. You do have to look at availability of the ink and if it is proprietary to the particular CD printer. Ink cartridges that you can purchase anywhere have a greater economy of scale in that they are made for the masses and not specialized. The process is not waterproof so there has been some concern about the label surface being damaged if the disc gets wet. Taiyo Yuden Watershield solves this issue with a water-resistant surface and a glossy surface. Taiyo Yuden Watershield almost looks better then thermal retransfer CD printing.
Thermal Re-transfer CD Printer-Thermal re-transfer is a relatively new technology along with dye sublimation CD printers. As mentioned in the discussion about thermal printers, "normal" thermal CD printers do not mix colors because they apply directly to the disc. A thermal retransfer CD printer uses two ribbons, the first one is a multi-color ribbon of cyan, yellow and magenta and the second ribbon is a transfer ribbon. Essentially the transfer ribbon is used to mix the heated resin from the color ribbon and then is applied to a special CD printer compatible disc. It's really two steps in printing. Dye-sublimation works in a similar manner but in its case the resin is super heated and vaporized creating a very fine application of color. The resulting effect is amazing color and excellent durability. Thermal re-transfer is a slow process compared to thermal CD printing and inkjet CD printing.
