PCA Forums

Is it OK to use a Sharpie to write on the Ritek G04 DVD-R (Shiny finish). I'm not sure if this is safe for the disc or not. I know that it is OK to write on the Matte finish.

Thanks in advance,

daba

Yes. Just be aware that shiny finish CDs and DVDs have no protective layer covering the foil layer. These are cheap discs that are sold that way because they're meant to have a label placed on them later.

I would recommend putting a label on it if you want it to last.

I wouldn't use labels, especially not on DVDs. The additional layer of the label will actually bend the DVD, even more with changing temperatures (think of bimetal).
Just use a waterproof felt tip pen or one of those marked as CD/DVD safe and try to avoid those shiny finish ones in the future.

ps: if yer really want to use labels stay away from paperbased ones and go for foil based (even though those're more expensive)

Thanks... I wonder if this Liquid Sharpie by Sanford is safe?

I couldn't resist 50 Ritek G04 4X's for $36 shipped though , Shiny top or not...

I use sharpies on everything. it's THE marker for labeling stuff.

I couldn't resist 50 Ritek G04 4X's for $36 shipped though , Shiny top or not

I haven't had to buy any disks for awhile, sounds like a decent deal though. Great disks! All I use now are Riteks!

Labels are not that good, lots of people have had problems although some people never have a problem. Paper labels are the worse, think about the disk when in use. Labels are extra weight, hold heat, very easy to get a little off balanced etc... Also could come loose inside a drive or player. I been into the DVDs long time now, and heard of about every problems a label could cause from people it actually happened to! I never personally tried them, I like to learn from others mistakes instead of my own

Write on any disk, use a soft tipped marker and don't press down hard! Sharpies are fine, I use markers from wal-mart, 4 pack colored markers for Cd/DVD and never had a problem with any disk. I used cheapo disks when I started out and still have a few I am using up here and there, white gloss tops. Still using up some 4x riteks I have, and all my printable Riteks. Those markers work fine on any of them, I even mark my printables sometimes so I know what they are till I am ready to print them.
Course I only mark very small in a tiny area on the printables.