Inkjet CD Printer

The Problem:

Short Version:
Due to a change in plans, I am now in the market for a printer that will print on CD's/DVD's.

Long Version:
When I first heard about LightScribe I thought that it was the coolest thing since sliced bread, but I changed my notebook choice and my new computer will not have LightScribe functionality. I had heard from other forum members that printable CD's and DVD's look better anyway, and so I have decided to go with that.

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The Solution?:

I have looked at several printers, but I have not been able to find any that definitely print onto CD's, are of a good quality, and are well-priced. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. It would be really cool if I could find an all-in-one printer/scanner/etc. machine...

 

You can find some here, but be prepared to spend $400+. I think it would be wiser just to purchase an external lightscribe drive. If you're looking to market CD's, I'd recommend concentrating on the case cover instead of the CD itself. Make the CD look professional, but the case cover attractive. Since you can print CD Case covers with any old inkjet you'd probably save money doing lightscribe anyways.

 

Well, so far I have been able to find the "Epson Stylus Photo R260," "Epson Stylus Photo R340," "Epson Stylus Photo R380," "Canon Pixma iP4200," and a few others (most being quite a bit more expensive). Does anybody know anything about any of these printers, especially the R260?


Edit:
R260 = $80??? Too Good to be True?
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=63059188
Edit2: It would appear it might... thirsty little devil... but then again, most of these printers seem to scam you on the ink. I guess that is just part of the inkjet world...

R340 = $125
http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Stylus-Photo-Inkjet-Printer/dp/B000AY5MPY

R380 = $110.00
http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Stylus-...0?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1186026749&sr=1-2

iP4200 = $70? Too Good to be True?
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=163163&WT.mc_n=3&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=CNET&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=3

 

Thanks Lithus! I was having trouble finding a subject-specific site like the one you linked to (all I was getting were the shopping sites). The R260 looks rather promising, but I hear that it eats ink for breakfast. I have seriously considered getting an external LightScribe (and that is my back-up plan), but I will be going to college and having a printer/scanner/copier in my room would be very nice. I just want one that functions decently, i.e. I don't want a piece of junk that pretends to do all of the functions and does none of them well (nor do I need a professional-grade printer). You make a good point about the CD Case covers, but I guess I am a sucker for the "wow" effect of a sweet-looking disk.

 

The thing is, many high-end CD printers - the ones that give highly professional prints are going to be 1. standalone, and 2. very expensive. To be honest, it would be cheaper to buy an External Lightscribe drive, and a dedicated all-in-one (HP Photosmart 4180 for example) than a professional CD printer. The only reason to get printable CD's over Lightscribe ones would be if you were marketing your CDs. Otherwise, high quality Lightscribes are much more feasible esp. at a college level budget.