If you are looking for an inexpensive way to print professional looking titles on your DVDs and CDs, you'll definitely want to read this. Here's my review of the $90 Casio CW50 DVD printer, and the video I created showing the printer in use.

The Problem

If you have a CD or DVD writer in your computer, you know the problem. You create a CD or DVD, and then have to figure out some way to put a label on the disk so you know what is on it.

Sure, you could write on it using an felt tip pen - but this can cause readability problems and looks very unprofessional. Or you could print a paper label and stick it on the CD or DVD disk. But this can be expensive, time consuming, and in the case of DVD, can quickly damage or destroy a DVD player. (NOTE: Never play a DVD that has a paper label on it - it can imbalance the high speed motor in the DVD player and cause it to self destruct.)

If you have big bucks, you could buy a special purpose ink jet DVD/CD printer that prints titles right on the blank CD or DVD disk. For the most part, these do a good job. But the printers are quite expensive (in excess of $1,000), and the printed colors are not permanent and can easily smear. Plus, printing full color coverage on a blank disk can be time consuming and expensive.

Fortunately, there is a better way. The Casio CW50 CD/DVD printer.

I purchased one of these Casio printers for $87 new (from proadvantage.com), and have been using it for a week. Here are my comments.

Casio CW50 CD/DVD Printer

The best way to understand what this printer can do, is to see it in action. To view an online video I created about this printer, visit Bill Myers Casio CW-50 Video Review. If you have a slower internet connection, you might want to right click the link above, and download the video for offline viewing on your computer.

Overview

The Casio CW50 printer is a low cost thermal printer created specifically to print on CD and DVD disks. It prints text and graphics in one color, and is an excellent way to add professional looking titles to your CD and DVD disks.

Pros

• Affordable - The printer costs under $90.
• Includes everything - The package includes everything. The printer, the power supply, the USB cable, a printer ribbon, and title printing software.
• Fast - In my testing, I could print a title on a CD or DVD in under 6 seconds.

  A label I created using the CW-50 printer.

• Non smearing - In my testing, I couldn't get the printed titles to smear. Even with heavy rubbing the titles don't smear or rub off the disks.
• Excellent results - The printer prints very high resolution. Even small graphics and small fonts came out sharp and clear.

Cons

• Limited print area - The printer only prints in two selected areas of the CD/DVD disks. Each area is approximately 1/2 inch tall and 3 inches wide. Each area is large enough for a large title, a graphic, a subtitle, and a smaller line of text. Or, six lines of small text.
• One color - Titles will be limited to just one color. There is a choice of colors when selecting print ribbons - black, blue, red, and green. But each disk will only have one color.
• Disk choices - Because this is a thermal printer, you will get best results with silver or 'thermal printer' ready disks. Avoid the white 'inkjet ready' disk as the surface is too grainy for thermal printing.

See It In Action

If you haven't already done so, be sure to view Bill Myers CASIO CW-50 Video Review. You'll see the printer in action, along with printer setup and the printing process.

As I say in my video, I give this product a thumbs up!