What marker can you write on a cd with

Descriptions need to short. An alternative is that a code text, numerical, or alphanumeric can be written and cross-referenced to a database or text file with more descriptive information. Often, serial numbers are printed in the hub area. Sometimes, but not always, these numbers are unique for each disc and these can be used and cross-referenced to another source with more detailed information.

The image below gives an example on printed serial numbers on a CD hub. Although this is not ideal because you cannot immediately identify the disc contents it is a good alternative when the CD label needs to be more descriptive than just a few words. Also, in some cases the hub area may be obscured by other labeling or manufacturer printing. In these cases, labeling will have to take place in areas of the disc where information is recorded underneath.

When deciding to write on a CD, DVD, or other optical disc in the non-hub area as shown in the picture below, then it is important to use only a soft felt tipped archival pen or archival marker. Avoid using any writing device that requires pressure to write on the optical disc such as a pencil or regular ink pen. Using minimal pressure to write is especially important with CD media, because the sensitive layers containing the stored information are very close to the top of the compact disc and in fact immediately underneath a thin top protective layer.

Applying pressure will cause indents in the metal reflective layer within the disc and likely ruin the disk. By writing in the hub area, this is avoided because there is no metal layer and information in this location. For DVDs, the sensitive information layers are in the middle of the disc structure and for Blu-ray discs the information layers are completely at the other end of the disc. Steve Hoffman Music Forums. Is it wise to label my CDs with a Sharpie marker?

Location: NYC. I read online somewhere that the ink eventually seeps onto the disc, rendering it unplayable. Is this true? I sure hope not, because I'll have a ton of reburning to do. If so, what is the safest way to label the CDs? IOW, which markers are OK? George P , Apr 22, Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I've heard the same thing so I picked up a CD-R marker labeled 'Archival water based permanent ink' to use instead of a Sharpie.

TooLoudASolitude , Apr 22, Location: United States. After ten tears of me using it, I think you're safe using a regular Sharpie. Just write on the outer circumference. It's better to use a water-based Sharpie. Do NOT use papar labels! Grant , Apr 22, Location: Montreal.

Agreed, no problem whatsoever with sharpies. Location: USA. I am worried about the rest of the stuff in the new markers. Even a slight mechanical imperfection in the protective layer over the reflective layer is an entry point--once such a path exists, it does matter what the composition of the most readily available contaminants is. This was demonstrated on a disturbingly large scale in the many months of production from a certain CD factory in the U.

I had the misfortune to own six of the affected disks. Or is their some evidence at hand of the safety of the other components not the water in these markers. And, if that is not "self-designated" than by whom is it backed up?

Well I guess I'm one of the zillions that will get the word out then. Don't use standard Sharpies for marking your CDs. They eat thru the lacquer finish and will destroy your data. I have CDs that are around 4 years old now that are no longer readable because I used a Sharpie to label them. If I hold these discs up to a light, I can now see tiny pinholes showing thru on the marked portions of the disc.

I don't know how good they are, but I have been using them. They don't have the same solvent smell as the normal Sharpies. I have a few DVDs I think are meant to be archival, and I've marked on them with Sharpies--I'd bettery pull them off the shelf and check them real soon-probably copy them. What do you use to mark archive disks?

While I've put paper labels on many hundreds of audio Cd-rs, I've read too many credible stories of paper label trouble to be even a little eager to use that method. Also, where have you seen the Sanford one marked for CDs for sale? I'd be inclined to trust them a little more than others--they have more to lose. Stoll new D user July 1, Yes one was a gold Kodak, and a few others were CompUSA generic brands okay yeah, not the best discs, but Sharpie-damaged nonetheless. Yeah paper labels are not a good way to go.

They have issues with the adhesive and also causing CDs to go off balance. My friend actually had a CD explode in his drive because of a badly balanced CD shards of plastic everywhere, had to trash the drive after that.

I've been using a Casio CW thermal printer yes more than likely also not archival and also making multiple copies one of which is only labelled only on the spindle, not anywhere in the data region of the disc. All discs are run thru XDir to generate a sumcheck of the discs contents so that I can detect a bad disc later on and restore from one of the backup copies.

I generally make 3 copies of an archive and try to put them on different brand discs. I should be using different drives to burn the different discs, but that's a little more of a hassle than I want to deal with. Sanford 'Sharpies for CDs' should be available at any well stocked office supply store. I bought my last pack over at Staples. I have been using a set of markers sold by TDK. But there is no clear indication that they are acid free.

One poster has tried to analyze how the acid can work its way through the polycarbonate to the surface containing the data. But I suspect the mechanism is more likely to be fumes which can find their way to the other side, especially if the disk is stored in a closed space, like an album or a jewel box, rather than borin gtheir way through the plastic The CD construction has the data layer immediately beneath the top where you are writing, so it is more easily physically or chemically damaged.

Since the DVD has the data surface in the exact middle, between the two 0. Still, I have read that various air pollutants can in the presence of moisture seep through the polycarbonate material over time, so it doesn't hurt to be cautious with the markers. I buy the inkjet-printable DVDs and print on them with my Epson printer. This gives a nice professional look and avoids potential solvent problems, at least as far as I know. I think this is one of those issues we won't know the answer about until it's too late.

The ink on this from what I can see seems dark and rich. If the top of the CD is silver, do you prefer a nice blue, black or another color? What if the CD surface is another colour like gold? Also, what tip? Are there any alternatives?

Originally posted by rdgrimes Any alcohol based marker is harmless. If you really want to be safe, just mark in the clear area in the center of the disk. What a splendid help!