Champagne Disc Labels on a Beer Budget

Two popular software packages provide advanced label-design templates and offer an integrated approach to disc labeling. They are Nero Express 7 and Roxio's Easy Media Creator 9 (with Express Labeler and Label Creator). I prefer Nero Express 7, and that's what I use in this Recipe.

So here are 9 steps for creating a label with Nero Express 7 software and LightScribe technology:

1. Download Nero Express 7. It retails for just under $80.

2. After you finish burning a LightScribe-capable disc, flip it over (handling it by the edges). Then reinsert the disc into your drive with the label side (that is, the dull side) facing down.

3. Start Nero. Once the window opens, it will scan for a LightScribe-capable drive. Here's what you'll see:

   
   

4. Select a Label Template. Using the tools on this window, you can design your own label using different templates. Here's a shot of the window:

   
   

5. Select a background. Here you can browse for a picture file. Nero will help you trim it to label size. The complexity of your image and contrast options will effect the burning time (more on that below).

6. Edit titles. Change text fonts and their appearance on your label.

7. Select preferences. Preferences include contrast, which can determine how long it will take to print your label. The higher the print contrast, the longer the label will take to burn. Select "Draft" if you wish to burn your CD quickly and you can live with a relatively faint label. Select "Best" if you want the label to appear strongly on the disc; but again, the burning time will be longer.

8. Preview your label.

9. Press Print to burn your label. You're done.

One caveat: If you're working in bulk, consider creating relatively simple labels. They will print faster.

ONE BUG, AND HOW TO FIX IT

LightScribe uses control features in the center/hub of a disc to identify whether the media is LightScribe-enabled. But I found that sometimes, the drive fails to identify the media properly. When this happens, the LightScribe drive will refuse to etch the disc, even though the disc is LightScribe-enabled.

If this happens on your setup, try the following four steps:

1. Double-check the disc to make sure it is, in fact, LightScribe-enabled. LightScribe media have a LightScribe logo in the inner hub area. There should also be visible control features located inside and adjacent to the coated label. If you don't see these indications, the disc is probably not LightScribe-enabled.

2. Assuming your disc is LightScribe-enabled, make sure the disc is properly oriented in the drive. The label side, which contains a special coating, should be face down in the drive. That way, the laser can burn it. If the disc coating is face up in the drive, that's wrong, so carefully flip it over.

3. Assuming you passed Steps 1 and 2, try cleaning the center area (hub) of the disc. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe the hub area. Gently remove any dirt or smudges that may be covering the control features.

4. If none of these steps fix the problem, the disc may be defective. Try using another LightScribe disc.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more information and support for LightScribe devices and software, check out the LightScribe site.

To learn more about LightScribe-ready software described in this Recipe, these two sites may be helpful:

• Burning a Label using LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling, from Nero.

• Easy Media Creator 9, from Roxio.

ANDY MCDONOUGH is a professional musician, composer, voice actor, engineer, and educator happily freelancing in New Jersey.