1 Comment for What is the difference between thermal printing and inkjet printing on to cds/dvds (easy 10 points)?

• 1. Denver Al  |  November 17th, 2010 at 9:21 pm

  They do pretty much the same thing if you’re talking about putting an image on a CD/DVD, they can both print color images, but there are differences.

  Inkjet CD/DVD printers require special CD/DVD’s that have a blank white inkjet ready surface made for printing on by inkjets. You can’t use just any CD/DVD. Inkjet prints are not waterproof.

  Thermal CD/DVD printers can print on most any standard and inexpensive lacquer surface media types, eliminating the need for special printable-surface discs. These are great for those who want or need totally waterproof discs. Some use “Rimage’s patented retransfer printing process. The CMY panels are first printed to a clear retransfer ribbon inside the printer. Then, using heat and pressure, the printed image and a layer of the clear ribbon are applied to the disc. The finished product emerges dry, durable, and ready to handle. The final effect is amazing – a colorful, high resolution, disc with your choices of photos, graphics, text, bar codes, you name it.” Others like “TEAC’s P55 Thermal Disc Printer produces high quality thermal prints directly onto discs that are photo realistic.”

  The thermals are much more pricey in general than inkjets especially for ones that print in 3 or 4 color images, but their images are much more durable. There are cheaper thermal printers that use only one color of ribbon, but you usually have a choice of 4 or so colors. I’ve included a couple of web sites below.

  Best of luck.

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