Re: [ARSCLIST] Labeling Software

[Jerome Hartke <jhartke@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Some "printable" CD-R discs are unacceptable for the following reasons:

1. The printable coating may not matched thermally and hydroscopically
to the polycarbonate substrate. Warping or even delamination can result.

2. Some inks may not be long-term stable, and can degrade the
information layer.

3. Some inkjets (especially high dpi) may direct the ink stream onto an
extremely small area the disc with a high velocity, resulting in very
high force per unit area, and the information layer can be damaged.

Significant testing is required to confirm acceptability of the media
and the printer. Few manufacturers publish, or even conduct, the proper
tests.

Jerry
Media Sciences, Inc.

Steven Smolian wrote:
>
> Why not use the robust surface CD and DVDs that take inkjet printing?  They
> also stand up to normal ink pens (not ball-point) better than Staples
> quality.
>
> I've yet to find a store that carries them but buy mine from various net
> suppliers. TY and Mistsuis sell for c. 60 each in lots of 100.
>
> Steve Smolian
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Miriam Meislik" <miriam+@xxxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2003 1:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Labeling Software
>
> > These are all excellent points are well.
> >
> > I did consider using the manufacturers serial numbers, but I felt that
> over
> > time, this would be just one more thing to track. Since the project
> already has
> > a great deal of data associated with each disc, I really wanted something
> that
> > was easy, that I could pass to any graduate student/student
> assistant/volunteer
> > to do. Also, not everyone is able to read the manufacturer's numbers.
> (Think
> > aging eyes here.)
> >
> > My goal is to use hub labels that contain the information.  and to write
> nothing
> > on the face of the disc.  I have never been a fan of placing labels over
> the
> > entire surface of the disc and have been concerned about the damage that
> could
> > be caused by inks on the surface.  These discs are for access and are not
> the
> > masters.  They also need to be readily identifiable to make sure that
> > researchers who use them put them where they belong.
> >
> > For another project, I have been using a Kaiser CD [R] Pen to mark CD R
> hubs .
> > These have been working okay, the problem I see with using marking pens is
> that,
> > well, personally, I have pretty illegible handwriting.  I can read what's
> there,
> > I wish others luck.   This is another reason why I prefer something that
> is
> > typed like a hub label.  No deciphering required.
> >
> > Miriam
> >
> > Bradleys wrote:
> >
> > > Steven C. Barr and List Members:
> > >
> > > There is information on the Internet that indicates that almost any kind
> of
> > > material applied to a DVD can lead to degradation of the disc. Therefore
> > > even applying a unique serial number is problematical.
> > >
> > > Some discs are sold with embossed unique serial numbers. These could be
> used
> > > to do an a, b, c documentation of every disc that Steven envisions. (a
> is
> > > the serial number, b is the insert put in the Jewel case with the disc
> and c
> > > would be a database record. I suggest adding d, a permanent log book of
> > > every disc by serial number of data base entry. This would be an
> archival
> > > book, acid free and archival quality journal recorded in using archival
> > > approved non-acid pens. As for e, place the serial number into the disc
> as
> > > the volume label as applicable.
> > >
> > > Have any had experience using discs with manufacturer applied serial
> > > numbers?
> > >
> > > If one is going to "take a chance" and write a serial number on the disc
> > > using an acid free archival approved pen marker and write the serial
> number
> > > very near the hub of the disc on the non-media side. (Just my own idea
> > > applying what I think I understand.) Marking pens have solvent and
> solvent
> > > induced stress crazing introducing the opportunity for moisture and
> > > atmospheric infiltration is probably the biggest risk with applying a
> number
> > > with such a pen. Graphite pencils might be able to write a legible label
> on
> > > a "printable" type disc. These would not necessarily be permanent but
> might
> > > avoid the problem of solvents. I have heard of using china markers.
> These
> > > may also not use solvents but I am not familiar with them.
> > >
> > > Applying a serial number with a vibrating engraving pen would have the
> > > advantage of not chemically stressing the plastic of the disc but there
> > > would be mechanical stress. Does anyone have any information on whether
> the
> > > stress induced by a limited small writing with an engraving pen might
> cause
> > > long term degradation of a disc. If the only difficulty is a short term
> > > chance of disc damage, this can be dealt with by writing the numbers on
> the
> > > disc before they are used (recorded to).
> > >
> > > As to printing on a label, has anyone seen any claims that (1) such
> label to
> > > the disc printers use inks that are not in any way harmful to
> survivability
> > > of the disc and (2) for the durability and long term readability of such
> > > labels. Aside from manufacturers claims I would not trust such labels
> unless
> > > some analysis and longer term and accelerated studies had been performed
> > > with them. Such studies would be specific to a particular printer and
> > > particular ink media so I would not expect that much information would
> be
> > > available. We face the same difficulty with the discs themselves.
> > >
> > > The minimalist approach suggests that whatever way one applies the mark
> that
> > > the mere addition of a unique serial number to the disc on the obverse
> side
> > > near the hub is going to be the least likely to cause data loss of
> archived
> > > discs. I would prefer using the manufacturer applied serial numbers.
> > >
> > > Ralph Bradley
> >
> > --
> > Miriam Meislik
> > Associate Archivist
> > Photograph Curator
> > Archives of Industrial Society
> > 7500 Thomas Blvd.
> > University of Pittsburgh
> > Pittsburgh, PA 15260
> > (412)244-7075 voice
> > (412)244-7077 fax
> > miriam@xxxxxxxx
> >
> > http://www.library.pitt.edu/libraries/archives/archives.html
> > http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/index.html
> >
> > Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
> > --Steven Wright
> >
> > When your mouth drops open, click the shutter
> > --Harold Feinstein, November 11, 2001
> >
> > Photography does not create eternity. . . it embalms time,
> > rescuing it simply from its proper corruption.
> > --André Bazin (1918-1958)