The Difference Between Inkjet And Thermal Disc Printers

By Author: Mingki Tsui
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Thermal disc and inkjet disc printing are both great ways to transfer art designs to a disc (CD, DVD, Blu-ray). However, there are some differences between them that will be the deciding factor for you when purchasing one of the two. The best way to determine a winner is to do some comparisons and know how each one differs from the other. The following discussion should help you understand the different operations that they perform and then allow you to make an overall decision.

Inkjet disc printing
Inkjet printing is accomplished by a solution being sprayed on a disc surface that is compatible with ink and able to receive, absorb and hold the colors that are applied to it. This type of technology is able to produce photographic-quality jobs that are highly sophisticated and the high-resolution, multicolor graphics, images and fonts on your DVDs and CDs will be outstanding.

The dpi (dots per inch) rating of an inkjet varies with each manufacturer and among the models of the brand, as well. For instance, Epson and other companies now have low-cost printers with 2400 dpi and higher, and double that on higher-end ...
... models. Depending on coverage area, you can usually create an average of 200 to 400 discs per cartridge on an inkjet. However, the discs themselves may cost a good deal more due to their special matte silver or white print finishes. The silver printable CDs have a special feature that gives them a 3-D effect on the label side of the disc. Silver has a tendency to mute the colors somewhat but the effects are very eye-catching with the reflection of light.

Inkjet printers usually cost less than the thermal printers do and you can get models that have special trays for disc printing (from Epson, Lexmark and others) starting around $150. On the professional side, however, there are robotic-arm-equipped, automated disc printers such as the Bravo SE AutoPrinter from Primera that output 20 discs in a batch at 4800 dpi. These can be had for less than $1,000. One of the main disadvantages of the inkjet printer, though, is that the discs are more prone to smudging and require more drying time. However, there has been a recent development by disc maker Taiyo Yuden, called Watershield, that has helped to eliminate the smudge factor. If you are not going to be generating a large volume of DVD/ CD discs then the inkjet disc printer might be ideal for your needs.

Thermal printers
A thermal printer is a high-end printer that uses heat transfer ribbons that bonds color to the surface of a disc. Thermal printers are more expensive that inkjet models and the ribbons for them cost more than the replacement cartridges for the inkjet, too. However, the final printed surface of the thermal-printed disc is a lot more durable and does not smudge.

The thermal printer is also much faster than the inkjet and can print an image on a full disc within 10 seconds for one color, 18 seconds for two colors and 27 seconds for three colors. However, one of the major pitfalls of the thermal printer is the imaging. Thermal printers are not the best for printing discs that have ultra-high-quality graphics and fancy colored patterns. They are at their best when they are used for simple text, logos and line art. So if you are going to be printing simple text and at a high volume, then the thermal printer is the right choice for you.

There is a vast array of color ribbons to choose from that include some two- and three-color ribbons. There are also thermal printers that are designed to complete more basic, one-color applications like simple words, line art, logos and other simple creations. Thermal printers are not the right choice for those that need the fancy graphics or the photographic quality that can be seen on inkjet-printed DVDs and CDs. Thermal printers are the best, however, for printing more durable and smudge-free surfaces.

Thermal-printable disc media is similar to inkjet-printable media except for the fact that it has other layers of coatings on the label in order to protect it against the heat of the printer. This is a special type of printable CD/DVD disc media that is made for these particular printers. Thermal-printable discs cannot be used on an inkjet printer. However, the inkjet printable discs can be printed on thermal units with decent results.

The differences between these two printers are clear, and both appeal to certain customers. However, they are both equipped for the needs of individuals and businesses that wish to make their media look sensational. Choosing the right printer for your purposes can only be determined by researching both types and discovering how they can meet your specific printing requirements.
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