Adhesive Labels or Protective Disc Covers on CDs or DVDs: A Big Taboo

[dbb]

Originally Posted by mayfielh

You should probably use the wine bottle holder in the back.

I tried that awhile ago but it didn't work well on rough roads.

[ridgeln]

Originally Posted by UglyTruckling

At the risk of sounding like a dunce, I'm curious -- I've always just written with a Sharpie marker the artist/CD information on the top of each CD I've burned. Is there anything bad about this practice?

There have been reports of issues with the alcohol eating through the CD plastic and then affecting the dye that is what is changed when "burned." I've had CD's and DVD's become "bad" from too much exposure to light (the dyes used are photo sensitive). There are CD "safe" markers available that are water based ink.


-ridgeln

[flymuck]

Originally Posted by ridgeln

There have been reports of issues with the alcohol eating through the CD plastic and then affecting the dye that is what is changed when "burned." I've had CD's and DVD's become "bad" from too much exposure to light (the dyes used are photo sensitive). There are CD "safe" markers available that are water based ink.


-ridgeln

Interesting, I never knew that. Sometimes I go the lazy route and use a Sharpie, but I'll keep my eye out for the CD-safe markers to use instead. (I also have a printer that can print onto CDs -- an Epson R300, excellent ink jet IMHO -- but I'm too lazy to use it for every CD.)

[UglyTruckling]

Originally Posted by ridgeln

There have been reports of issues with the alcohol eating through the CD plastic and then affecting the dye that is what is changed when "burned." I've had CD's and DVD's become "bad" from too much exposure to light (the dyes used are photo sensitive). There are CD "safe" markers available that are water based ink.


-ridgeln

Thanks for the tip -- I'll pick up a CD marker.

[meanmachine19]

Personally, I'm glad this post is here. I often make my own CD's and get some from family members. I never would have given it a second thought about the labels being a problem. Then again, never had a multi-disc CD changer either.

I will be taking those CD's out of my truck today so I don't forget.

Thanks for the post and heads up.

[tcj]

Originally Posted by ridgeln

There have been reports of issues with the alcohol eating through the CD plastic and then affecting the dye that is what is changed when "burned." I've had CD's and DVD's become "bad" from too much exposure to light (the dyes used are photo sensitive). There are CD "safe" markers available that are water based ink.


-ridgeln

I've been a big live-music trader for a long time and have CDRs with Sharpie-type marker writing on them that are 8 or 10 years old, and they still work fine (also negating the continuing stories on how CDRs will only last a few years - I just saw a new report today, in fact.) The alcohol in the markers dissipates within minutes leaving only the pigment behind. The likelihood of whatever caustic element is left actually hurting the disc is pretty low. I've also tried those water-based markers and they're pretty bad - they smear very easily. Not worth the trouble.

[ridgeln]

tcj -

I agree that the alcohol will dissipate very quickly (having a low vapor pressure does this). However, I think it is probably on there long enough to dissolve a little of the face, and depending on the CD quality, it may be enough to destroy the integrity of the CD.

To back up my assertion, I did try looking at the Sanford site (Sanford makes Sharpie markers) and could not readily find any info there. However, doing a further search on this topic really brings to light that this is a highly discussed topic. This media supply company has a specific recommendation to not use Sharpie (or other solvent based markers) on CD/DVD's.

http://services.mediasupply.com/cd_d...on/faq.html#q6

I think this is something for the Mythbusters!

-ridgeln

[Lady's Buck]

At the risk of sounding overly anal, from the viewpoint of someone that tends to stand just outside a discussion most of the time so as to get a better view of the big picture, I think this discussion underscores a common theme. I am one of those people that loves science and math, and is schooled in economics. While there have been several excellent technical points raised here relative to the most effective and safest means of marking on disks, I wonder if the issue, or better yet, the impression that these "warnings" are intended to leave us with, is more economic based than scientific.

It seems that more and more these days, we are faced with reports publicized (not necessarily published) that suggest a certain position or action on our part in favor of, or against, a certain product. This is where common sense must rule! For example, the company making special markers for CD/DVD labeling wants you to believe that a standard Sharpie will damage the disk somehow. Whether or not that is a fact may be overshadowed by their desire to sell as many markers as they can (economics)! We as the consumer must show some common sense in dealing with this potential misinformation. I think the beauty of forums like this is that we get the benefit of the experiences of our piers. Their actual experiences are the real value, such as TCJ's with 8 to 10 year old CDRs.

Make no mistake, I am not supporting the use of stick-on labels. Common sense should tell you that they present a real danger to players, etc. But I have also used Sharpies a great deal with no issues.

Years ago there was a report that VHS tapes would degrade over a few years if not used regularly. Well, I have tapes that were recorded over 20 years ago, and get played about once every 5 to 10 years. They're fine. I think we were being asked to unnecessarily buy more tapes.

Here I am writing a book again. Someone stop me please!! Hey Ladyridge, do I get credit for multiple posts if mine go over a certain length? lol

Todd

[flymuck]

Leave it to the gov't to turn it into a 50-page read:

http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/caref...dlingGuide.pdf

Doesn't really answer any questions (I didn't bother to read all 50 pages, just searched for "pen"), but I still wanted to pick on the gov't.

[ridgeln]

Hi Todd -

gee - how do you really feel about this? No - no extra credit for long posts. You may be TOTALLY right about the economic line of thought. But I could not find anywhere on the Sharpie site that specifically stated that it was OK to use their markers on CD's. Wouldn't it make economic sense to them to come out and state it is ok? (Unless they have a "CD Safe" marker?)

Ok - I guess we are all agreed:

Labels on Ridgeline CD's = Bad
Sharpie markers on CD's = Do what you want.

And Todd, they made video tape that long ago? You're really that old? I thought LadyRidge robbed the cradle w/ you! Di you lug around the camera on your shoulder and the recorder an a dolly? Do you still have your reel-to-reel tapes? How about 8-track?

-ridgeln