Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Putting a label on a CD or DVD you've burned yourself seems like a good way to identify it later, but you do need to be careful in how you label it.
Do you think printing a CD cover and sticking it onto a home made CD with glue would be a good idea. I mean would it corrupt the CD?
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I think you'll find that this is one of those things where you'll hear lots of differing opinions. In part it also depends on exactly what the purpose of the CD is, how long you expect it to last, and of course, what "glue" you mean.
My opinion? No way would I risk it.
Let me describe what I do instead.
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I use a Sharpie (indelible ink pen) to write on the CD. And I don't write a lot - just enough to identify the CD. I've done this for years, and have never had a problem.
Now, I mention the brand name (Sharpie) because the risk involved is in the chemicals used. I don't know that other indelible ink pens are as safe. They probably are, I just haven't tried 'em.
And that's why your use of the word "glue" scares me. Depending on the glue you use, it can do significant physical damage to plastic media like a CD or DVD. At the other extreme, a totally safe glue might well dry up or lose adhesion, and you might find yourself with a CD label flying off while the CD is spinning in your drive.
I'm also wary of self-adhesive labels. If I were to go this route I would only use labels that were specifically designed to be placed on CDs or DVDs to make sure that a CD-safe adhesive was used. In addition, I'd take extra care to make sure that they were applied centered in exactly the right place. An off-center label can cause the CD to become out of balance, and vibrate so much that it's unreadable. In the worst case, it might even rattle itself to pieces in the drive.
But ultimately, the real risk is increased deterioration over the CD's life due to the chemicals applied. Be it glue, adhesive or ink, these chemicals penetrate the CD's plastic material. Some will do relatively immediate damage, others may do little to no damage over many years.
So my suggestion is to simply invest in an indelible ink pen, and brush up on your handwriting skills.
I do the first part, at least.
Article C3436 - July 6, 2008 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
July 9, 2008 4:28 PM
I just looked at some CD marking pens made by Memorex- The "magic" word on them is
WATER BASED.
July 9, 2008 6:26 PM
I don't think he "consistently" misspells words. And I did go back over the article several times and could not find the misspelling. I had to assume it must have been on the picture of the cd. Misspelled words are irritating to me and I normally pick up on them right away. But I still think Leo does a great job and if he does mess up somewhere he admits it and goes on. If you read your own post you misspelled unworthy (left off the y on the end) but that doesn't make me think you are a "low-grade moron unworth(sic) of our attention". No one is perfect. We can only strive for it.
July 9, 2008 6:30 PM
Ok I've reread the article again and this time I do see the misspelled word. Leo you get 40 lashes with a wet noodle for a misspelled word. I still believe you are doing a great job with answering all the questions thrown at you. Thanks for all you do; you're doing a good job. And hey, I don't have a halo either. :^)
July 10, 2008 1:07 AM
leo, I'm sure we've all heard the old adage, if you never make a mistake you're not doing enough so I for one welcome your typos...lol I think you have the greatest newsletter out here specially since gizmo has gone over to the dark side merging with windows secrets. You're easily number one now...imho of course.
July 11, 2008 7:44 AM
What a load of crap. I've done them all for years; full face labels, address size labels, sharpies. I have never seen a disk get out of balance. The "glue" on labels is not gonna damage the plastic. Never has, never will.
Now tell the truth, who has actually had a cd vibrate itself to pieces due to an off center label?
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