Lightscribe

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:04:36 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

"Paul" wrote:

SC Tom wrote:

"W. eWatson" wrote in message
...
I just discovered lightscribe. I see there are 3 packages for it. Do
any of them allow me to put several lines of type on them? For
example, suppose I want to put something like this on it.

April
May
June

May want to have 6 or 7 such lines. Can one control the type size?

First you need to DL and install the Lightscribe System Software
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadsection/windows/index.aspx?id=810

Then, DL and install the Lightscribe Template Labeler
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

There are a number of templates included with the software, and you can
DL additional templates
http://www.lightscribe.com/ideas/index.aspx?id=2564

I've used this software, and it's pretty intuitive and easy to use. Font
sizes and lines are adjustable to a certain extent on a lot of the
templates, or you can create your own labels with the Lightscribe Simple
Labeler (which was not quite as simple as the template software)
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=811

I await W's feedback, when it takes a long time to get a high
contrast label.

Maybe it's improved, since the last time I researched it. I have
a Lightscribe drive here, but have never had Lightscribe
media, as the description of the burn time to do a good label,
was too long. If it takes longer to burn the label, than to
burn the data, that takes the fun out of it.

The burn time can be extended, to enhance the contrast ratio.
In the past, people did multi-pass burns, to get a label
that stands out well. A single pass might not be enough.

The burn time might be reduced, with clever label design such
that all the text was concentrated into a smaller set of
concentric circles of pixels. That might help. Rather than
drawing huge pictures of Sparkle Ponies on the label, to
make them "pretty" :-)

Paul

Lightscribed labels (burned onto the cover side of a LS disc) will fade
over time. They start out somewhat dim, dim over time, and fade into
non-legibility. Some folks will put forth a major effort in designing
graphics for their labels only to have them mottle and fade away. See
some example images at:

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/509687

When I first got a LS-capable optical drive, sure, I started playing
with it and even bought the more expensive LS media. I was disappointed
with the low contrast on the initial print and a buddy of mine showed
what happens if the discs are exposed to light, especially sunlight
(i.e., UV light). Unless you get special printers for optical discs
that use expensive long-term permanent inks, ink printing on the disc
also fades. I went back to my stick-on labels printed on an inkjet or
laser. At worst, the glue might fade and the label drop off but tis
easy 'nuff to stick it back on. Some stick-on labels are so permanent
that any attempt to remove them results in peeling up the shiny coating
on that same side where is the data.

While some users put the LS discs inside a zippered case thinking
they'll be protected from light, I've seen those LS discs get faded
after 1-1/2 years -- and the fading matches the rounded U-shaped slot in
the cover plastic (i.e., where the clear plastic wasn't over the disc is
where the disc is most faded). You also have to be careful what
material is used in whatever storage you use.

http://www.lightscribe.com/support/k....aspx?faqid=97
http://www.lightscribe.com/support/k....aspx?faqid=96

I believe the claim is that fading does not occur for 2 years when the
LS-labelled disc is exposed only to indoor light (which means no full
spectrum lighting). You want to hide these discs from sunlight. Heat
affects fade rate so don't leave the LS discs inside an optical drive
where temperatures are elevated. Apparently even humidity affects fade
rate. Those who are sloppy in handling optical media will find the oil
from their fingerprints also fades the LS image. With all the
precautions needed to preserve an otherwise crappy image, there didn't
seem much point in wasting the time to create LS images, buy the more
pricey discs, and spend the time burning the image onto the LS discs.

All you can do is slow the fading process. It will still fade. LS
doesn't produce permanent labels.

I have maybe 10 LS disks from around December 2008 to February 2009,
i.e., just about four years old (I didn't look at any of my newer ones).

No sign of fading.

They are all in slimline jewel cases, however.

Unfortunately for experimental purposes, I had a lot more until
recently, but I threw them away, and I don't recall how they looked. For
months, they were in a pile without any kind of cases, because I was
v-e-r-y slow in moving them from the discard pile to the trash can.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

"Nil" wrote:

On 21 Jan 2013, VanguardLH wrote in
alt.windows7.general:

I went back
to my stick-on labels printed on an inkjet or laser. At worst,
the glue might fade and the label drop off but tis easy 'nuff to
stick it back on. Some stick-on labels are so permanent that any
attempt to remove them results in peeling up the shiny coating on
that same side where is the data.

I do not recommend stick-on labels. I used to use the CD Stomper
system, and almost ever disk I labeled that way has gone bad. I don't
know if the glue attacked the disk, or if it throws it off-balance, or
what, but most of the (audio CD) disks now suffer from "helicopter
noise syndrome"

Off-balance vibration caused by improper placement of the label. Even
commercial producers of labelled discs (using stick-on labels versus
disc ink printers) can sometimes get the labels off kilter on an entire
batch of production. If I got one of those, I didn't go back to the
retail store to exchange it for another one since the retailer probably
got them in a batch.

I haven't used Avery's CD Stomper product so I don't know how they try
to ensure the sticky label is aligned to the disc BEFORE pressing the
label onto the disc and if they press the center of the label (by the
spindle hole) onto the disc before pressing on the outer edge (i.e.,
press on from middle outward). The one currently shown at Avery's site
(cdstomper.com) looks like a flat bed where you have to not only use the
spindle rod to align the label but also make sure the edges of the
spindle hole in the label match up with the embossed circle on the disc.

http://www.cdstomper.com/products/De...its/index.html

I found a Youtube video that shows Avery either had a prior or later
model for the label installer that had it bend. The label went onto the
applicator with sticky side up and was curved. You put the disc atop
the label which would only contact along one radius of the label.
Pressing down had the label apply from that radius outward to eliminate
bubbles. However, I don't see a means of aligning the edge of the
spindle hole in the label with the embossed circle on the disc around
the spindle hole.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3N7Pzm9dJw

The old kit that I have (no brand marked on it) has the label go over a
fat spindle. Instead of trying to make the user align the edge of the
hole in the label to a ridge on a plate on the stamper, the label slid
over a fat spindle. That way, the label wasn't going to slide around at
all while the user was pressing the disc onto the upturned label (sticky
side up). The process was to slide the label over the fat spindle and
press down on a disc when pushed the spring-loaded fat spindle down into
the body of the stamper. The disc was held in alignment during the
downward press by the small spindle (in the hold of the disc) while the
label was held in place by the fat spindle that retracted into the base.
As I recall, I use two hands instead of one. One hand's finger hold
onto the sides of the disc while slightly flexing it upward while the
other hand presses down on the disc. The label gets applied along one
radius of the disc and I unflex the disc to apply the label to the rest
of the disc. That eliminated any bubbling or uneven application of the
label. The stampers I see nowadays has the user trying to keep the
label hole positioned on a ridge rather than fixed in place by a fat
spindle. While mine isn't an Avery model, it looks like Avery used to
make one with the retracting spring-loaded fat spindle to hold the label
while pressing the disc down along the skinny spindle.

You also have to be mindful on the distribution of ink on the label. If
you black out one half of the label, maybe to show white text there, or
half is heavily colored and the other half is white (no ink) with some
black text, the blacked out or heavily colored side will be heavier due
to the addition of lots of ink. Even if you use a profession disc
printer you have to watch the balance of your artwork so it doesn't
unbalance the disc after the image is printed on the disc. It only
takes a small weight misplaced on your wheel to unbalance your car tire.
Same goes for small off-balanced weight on an optical disc.

I've had discs where the spindle hole was very slightly off center.
They were balanced enough not to vibrate the drive motor but adding
label accentuated the off-balance condition. The disc was off balanced
and adding more weight just made it worse (more momentum with more
mass). No choice but to toss those.

Disc printers are probably the best choice for permanent labels. Ink is
pricey, however. Labels are probably the next best as long as you
properly position them and there exists no pre-existing flaws in the
disc. Lots of commercial discs use stick-on labels. Lightscribe is the
lowest grade of label. While it allows you nicer printing than a
Sharpie, the Sharpie markings last longer. So great looking but
non-permanent (fading) versus sloppy Sharpie but more permanent.

Yeah, you might burn a disc and apply a label only to trash it because
it was or became unbalanced but you know that now when you labelled the
disc (you do test them after labelling them, right?). With Lightscribe
labelling, the job works now but the label disappears later while in
storage (so you won't notice the fading until years later when you get
around to using that disc).

I don't remember which brand but I have used some where the glue simply
evaporated and I ended up with a loose label stored with the disc. Twas
easy enough to apply more spray glue in an even pattern to reapply and
the label was still completel legible (no fading). I don't much label
my discs but in the last few years the labels were permanent. Years
later when I decided to discard a disc, there was no way to remove the
label. In fact, if you used an Xacto knife to wedge under the label,
you could remove the label only with it also yanking off the silvery
material on which the data is recorded and you ended up with a clear
disc like those you see at the end of a stack of CDs sold on a spindle.
The glue was stronger on the label than the metallic foil on the disc.
A rigid optical disc turned into a floppy foil disc; see:

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggIma...20_3398973.jpg

Mine looks more like:

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggIma...fVAVhHjKDG.jpg

except mine also had little tension fingers alongside the outer edge of
the fat spindle that you pressed in to slide the label over them and
made sure the label didn't move around and it stayed DOWN on the base
plate.

As far as Lightscribe - it takes too long, the result isn't very
attractive, and I figure it puts too much wear and tear on the drive.
It was a novelty at first, but I don't bother with it any more. Not
many new drives seem to have the feature, so I guess it's going the way
of the dodo.

The time to etch a LS label was one of several reasons I gave up on that
technology. Obviously the more dense the image (for contrast) or the
more printing (larger image) then the longer to etch it. I resigned
from fancy labels using LS and went to just simple and short text.

Then there was the promise versus reality. The first time I printed an
LS label on an LS disc my reaction was "That's it?" I figured I did
something wrong but repeated trials didn't improve on image quality. I
saw LS-printed discs by other users and was equally unimpressed.

Frankly I haven't heard anyone wanting, using, or looking for
Lightscribe drives or media for quite awhile. The fad passed.

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote:

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:04:36 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

"Paul" wrote:

SC Tom wrote:

"W. eWatson" wrote in message
...
I just discovered lightscribe. I see there are 3 packages for it. Do
any of them allow me to put several lines of type on them? For
example, suppose I want to put something like this on it.

April
May
June

May want to have 6 or 7 such lines. Can one control the type size?

First you need to DL and install the Lightscribe System Software
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadsection/windows/index.aspx?id=810

Then, DL and install the Lightscribe Template Labeler
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

There are a number of templates included with the software, and you can
DL additional templates
http://www.lightscribe.com/ideas/index.aspx?id=2564

I've used this software, and it's pretty intuitive and easy to use. Font
sizes and lines are adjustable to a certain extent on a lot of the
templates, or you can create your own labels with the Lightscribe Simple
Labeler (which was not quite as simple as the template software)
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=811

I await W's feedback, when it takes a long time to get a high
contrast label.

Maybe it's improved, since the last time I researched it. I have
a Lightscribe drive here, but have never had Lightscribe
media, as the description of the burn time to do a good label,
was too long. If it takes longer to burn the label, than to
burn the data, that takes the fun out of it.

The burn time can be extended, to enhance the contrast ratio.
In the past, people did multi-pass burns, to get a label
that stands out well. A single pass might not be enough.

The burn time might be reduced, with clever label design such
that all the text was concentrated into a smaller set of
concentric circles of pixels. That might help. Rather than
drawing huge pictures of Sparkle Ponies on the label, to
make them "pretty" :-)

Paul

Lightscribed labels (burned onto the cover side of a LS disc) will fade
over time. They start out somewhat dim, dim over time, and fade into
non-legibility. Some folks will put forth a major effort in designing
graphics for their labels only to have them mottle and fade away. See
some example images at:

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/509687

When I first got a LS-capable optical drive, sure, I started playing
with it and even bought the more expensive LS media. I was disappointed
with the low contrast on the initial print and a buddy of mine showed
what happens if the discs are exposed to light, especially sunlight
(i.e., UV light). Unless you get special printers for optical discs
that use expensive long-term permanent inks, ink printing on the disc
also fades. I went back to my stick-on labels printed on an inkjet or
laser. At worst, the glue might fade and the label drop off but tis
easy 'nuff to stick it back on. Some stick-on labels are so permanent
that any attempt to remove them results in peeling up the shiny coating
on that same side where is the data.

While some users put the LS discs inside a zippered case thinking
they'll be protected from light, I've seen those LS discs get faded
after 1-1/2 years -- and the fading matches the rounded U-shaped slot in
the cover plastic (i.e., where the clear plastic wasn't over the disc is
where the disc is most faded). You also have to be careful what
material is used in whatever storage you use.

http://www.lightscribe.com/support/k....aspx?faqid=97
http://www.lightscribe.com/support/k....aspx?faqid=96

I believe the claim is that fading does not occur for 2 years when the
LS-labelled disc is exposed only to indoor light (which means no full
spectrum lighting). You want to hide these discs from sunlight. Heat
affects fade rate so don't leave the LS discs inside an optical drive
where temperatures are elevated. Apparently even humidity affects fade
rate. Those who are sloppy in handling optical media will find the oil
from their fingerprints also fades the LS image. With all the
precautions needed to preserve an otherwise crappy image, there didn't
seem much point in wasting the time to create LS images, buy the more
pricey discs, and spend the time burning the image onto the LS discs.

All you can do is slow the fading process. It will still fade. LS
doesn't produce permanent labels.

I have maybe 10 LS disks from around December 2008 to February 2009,
i.e., just about four years old (I didn't look at any of my newer ones).

No sign of fading.

They are all in slimline jewel cases, however.

Unfortunately for experimental purposes, I had a lot more until
recently, but I threw them away, and I don't recall how they looked. For
months, they were in a pile without any kind of cases, because I was
v-e-r-y slow in moving them from the discard pile to the trash can.

See how well they survive in your cold dark game-playing basement
computer room.

Okay, you didn't describe the environ but I couldn't help but imagine
that image. Note that fading doesn't mean totally gone. It can also
mean when contrast has dimmed for part of the image or text. If dimming
is evenly distributed across the label, you probably won't notice it
because you're reviewing the label years after it was etched. Dimming
is most noticeable when it is uneven or drastic. If the label is "busy"
enough, it can be difficult to notice the fade unless you look for it.
From what I've seen of old LS labelled discs by multiple users of
various brands, you're the exception.

On 1/19/2013 10:04 AM, Nil wrote:
On 19 Jan 2013, "W. eWatson" wrote in
alt.windows7.general:

I just discovered lightscribe. I see there are 3 packages for it.
Do any of them allow me to put several lines of type on them? For
example, suppose I want to put something like this on it.

What do you mean "packages"? As far as I know, there is no Lightscribe
capability included with Windows. You will therefore need to contact
the company that makes this unspecified "package."


I thought knowledge of this might have been more wide spread:
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

On 1/19/2013 2:04 PM, SC Tom wrote:


"W. eWatson" wrote in message
...
I just discovered lightscribe. I see there are 3 packages for it. Do
any of them allow me to put several lines of type on them? For
example, suppose I want to put something like this on it.

April
May
June

May want to have 6 or 7 such lines. Can one control the type size?

First you need to DL and install the Lightscribe System Software
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadsection/windows/index.aspx?id=810

Then, DL and install the Lightscribe Template Labeler
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

There are a number of templates included with the software, and you can
DL additional templates
http://www.lightscribe.com/ideas/index.aspx?id=2564

I've used this software, and it's pretty intuitive and easy to use. Font
sizes and lines are adjustable to a certain extent on a lot of the
templates, or you can create your own labels with the Lightscribe Simple
Labeler (which was not quite as simple as the template software)
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=811

DL?

On Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:09:50 -0800, W. eWatson wrote:

On 1/19/2013 2:04 PM, SC Tom wrote:


"W. eWatson" wrote in message
...
I just discovered lightscribe. I see there are 3 packages for it. Do
any of them allow me to put several lines of type on them? For
example, suppose I want to put something like this on it.

April
May
June

May want to have 6 or 7 such lines. Can one control the type size?

First you need to DL and install the Lightscribe System Software
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadsection/windows/index.aspx?id=810

Then, DL and install the Lightscribe Template Labeler
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

There are a number of templates included with the software, and you can
DL additional templates
http://www.lightscribe.com/ideas/index.aspx?id=2564

I've used this software, and it's pretty intuitive and easy to use. Font
sizes and lines are adjustable to a certain extent on a lot of the
templates, or you can create your own labels with the Lightscribe Simple
Labeler (which was not quite as simple as the template software)
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=811

DL?

Download.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

On 22 Jan 2013, "W. eWatson" wrote in
alt.windows7.general:

I thought knowledge of this might have been more wide spread:
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

Well, no, why would it? It's a non-Microsoft product, few people use
Lightscribe, and you didn't mention it by name or describe it. The
software would most likely be bundled with the optical drive or
label design software. As is mentioned on the above page:

"Your LightScribe product manufacturer will have the best knowledge
of your specific configuration and needs, and they are recommended
as your first source of updates whenever possible.

"This limited support universal version of the LightScribe System
Software offered here has not been specifically tested by your
hardware provider, and is provided as an alternative should you have
problems with obtaining an update."

I only know about Lightscribe because I have Sure Thing CD Labeler,
which came with its own set of drivers, as I recall. It included a
capable editor which allowed you to put any graphic or text element
anywhere you want. I uninstalled it couple of years ago because I
didn't like the results and never used it.

I think it's best to be complete and specific when asking technical
questions, especially when they are off-topic in the forum you're
asking in. You shouldn't assume other people know where you're coming
from. Asking vague questions is certain to get you vague, incomplete,
or wrong answers.

On 1/22/2013 6:11 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
On Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:09:50 -0800, W. eWatson wrote:

On 1/19/2013 2:04 PM, SC Tom wrote:


"W. eWatson" wrote in message
...
I just discovered lightscribe. I see there are 3 packages for it. Do
any of them allow me to put several lines of type on them? For
example, suppose I want to put something like this on it.

April
May
June

May want to have 6 or 7 such lines. Can one control the type size?

First you need to DL and install the Lightscribe System Software
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadsection/windows/index.aspx?id=810

Then, DL and install the Lightscribe Template Labeler
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=1524

There are a number of templates included with the software, and you can
DL additional templates
http://www.lightscribe.com/ideas/index.aspx?id=2564

I've used this software, and it's pretty intuitive and easy to use. Font
sizes and lines are adjustable to a certain extent on a lot of the
templates, or you can create your own labels with the Lightscribe Simple
Labeler (which was not quite as simple as the template software)
http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/windows/index.aspx?id=811

DL?

Download.


While I have a couple of lightscribe capable burners, and some disks,
I've not used them, other than to test the burners. The lightscribe
"burn" takes some time, and, I can be quite impatient.
Besides, I can buy good quality non lightscribe disks far cheaper.
Besides, I also have a printer that is capable of printing on
"printable" disks as well. It also takes time, and fiddling around, so I
seldom used it either, although the results look better than lightscribe.

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:43:44 -0500, SC Tom wrote:

I have a box full of the inkjet labels, but not sure if I still have the
applicator device. I haven't used them in so long, they may be dried out
by now, and won't even stick. I had two or three different styles of
labels, and wasted a lot of ink on creating them, but I'd have to look
to see if I still have any around. Since all of my music gets saved to
laptop, PC and iPod, I can't remember the last time I pulled down my
zipper case full of CDs.

Stick-on labels certainly aren't the best. I've had them come off in a
drive before. The heat affects the glue, and if they're not centered
exactly perfectly, there can be balance problems.

A couple years ago, I bought a Epson printer that prints directly to
printable CD/DVD media.

The results are discs that look professionally made. Well, the quality of
the print, not necessarily the quality of the cover art design

I regularly produce CDs for my son, who's a rap "artist", while it's a
little time consuming swapping CDs from burner to print, making jewel
case labels at Office Max/Depot on their full-color laser printer for 69
cents including heavy paper, 100-spindles of printable CDs, and less
expensive sources for genuine Epson cartridges, the cost per CD comes in
around $1.80.

(It could be far less expensive, if using knock-off cartridges, but the
Epson ink is the "Claria" ink, meant for CDs/DVDs. I don't know if the
knock-off carts. have permanent ink, and haven't tried.)

(Yes, I understand you don't need full-color printing on CDs, I just
wanted to share the story.)

"DanS" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:43:44 -0500, SC Tom wrote:

I have a box full of the inkjet labels, but not sure if I still have the
applicator device. I haven't used them in so long, they may be dried out
by now, and won't even stick. I had two or three different styles of
labels, and wasted a lot of ink on creating them, but I'd have to look
to see if I still have any around. Since all of my music gets saved to
laptop, PC and iPod, I can't remember the last time I pulled down my
zipper case full of CDs.

Stick-on labels certainly aren't the best. I've had them come off in a
drive before. The heat affects the glue, and if they're not centered
exactly perfectly, there can be balance problems.

A couple years ago, I bought a Epson printer that prints directly to
printable CD/DVD media.

The results are discs that look professionally made. Well, the quality of
the print, not necessarily the quality of the cover art design

I regularly produce CDs for my son, who's a rap "artist", while it's a
little time consuming swapping CDs from burner to print, making jewel
case labels at Office Max/Depot on their full-color laser printer for 69
cents including heavy paper, 100-spindles of printable CDs, and less
expensive sources for genuine Epson cartridges, the cost per CD comes in
around $1.80.

(It could be far less expensive, if using knock-off cartridges, but the
Epson ink is the "Claria" ink, meant for CDs/DVDs. I don't know if the
knock-off carts. have permanent ink, and haven't tried.)

(Yes, I understand you don't need full-color printing on CDs, I just
wanted to share the story.)

You may not *need* it, but if you have the capability, why not use it? I
know I would :-)
(Thanks for sharing!)
--
SC Tom

On Sun, 03 Feb 2013 09:21:13 -0600 "DanS"
wrote in article


On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:43:44 -0500, SC Tom wrote:

I have a box full of the inkjet labels, but not sure if I still have the
applicator device. I haven't used them in so long, they may be dried out
by now, and won't even stick. I had two or three different styles of
labels, and wasted a lot of ink on creating them, but I'd have to look
to see if I still have any around. Since all of my music gets saved to
laptop, PC and iPod, I can't remember the last time I pulled down my
zipper case full of CDs.

Stick-on labels certainly aren't the best. I've had them come off in a
drive before. The heat affects the glue, and if they're not centered
exactly perfectly, there can be balance problems.

A couple years ago, I bought a Epson printer that prints directly to
printable CD/DVD media.

The results are discs that look professionally made. Well, the quality of
the print, not necessarily the quality of the cover art design

I regularly produce CDs for my son, who's a rap "artist", while it's a
little time consuming swapping CDs from burner to print, making jewel
case labels at Office Max/Depot on their full-color laser printer for 69
cents including heavy paper, 100-spindles of printable CDs, and less
expensive sources for genuine Epson cartridges, the cost per CD comes in
around $1.80.

(It could be far less expensive, if using knock-off cartridges, but the
Epson ink is the "Claria" ink, meant for CDs/DVDs. I don't know if the
knock-off carts. have permanent ink, and haven't tried.)

(Yes, I understand you don't need full-color printing on CDs, I just
wanted to share the story.)

I do the same with an Epson to print Taiyo-Yuden CD's and the results are
very good. I stuck with genuine/expensive Epson ink, because I don't know
if the 3rd party inks are forumlated for use on CD's. Just like using an
anonymous felt-tip pen is a bad idea, because it may damage the top layer
(the reflective one), no-brand inkjet ink may do the same. The few extra
pennies per disk aren't worth the potential trouble.