Best way to make CD labels?
 

I have read much discussion regarding the best way to put professional quality labels on CD faces. Unfortunately I only hear the good qualities of the various methods available. I would like to know the negative aspects of such CD labeling systems out there. I use both Mac and PC computers so either OS compatible labeling method is acceptable. I make about 50-100 CDs per month. Thanks in advance MB pros!

Moisture can cause an image to smudge or smear if you use an inkjet printer to print on CD faces. If you want to DIY, then you might want to invest in a thermal CD printer.

Otherwise, you can get them done professionally. If you are making CDs with the same label, you can order a large quantity of blank, printed CDRs. Than you'll have CDRs that have your own personal imprint.

The negative factors:
DIY is extremely time-consuming and if you don't know what you're doing it could turn out crappy.
Professional printing is sometimes expensive.

But from all the experience I've had I would definitely get them professionally done. DIY takes up way too much time and effort. And have the time you can't even get it right.

My Compaq laptop comes with a thermal CD printer inside the CD-ROM drive. Sorry, just putting that out there.

sharpies.

Anticipation took the words right out of my fingers.

I have a HP D5100 series (under $100) that has a CD tray. I buy inket printable CDs and DVDs. You just stick a CD on the printer tray and print like you would any document. The result is pretty close to professional, except the CD is white and not silver on the label side.