Primera Signature Z1 CD/DVD Label Printer
by PRIMERA TECHNOLOGY (PRINTERS)
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PRIMERA TECHNOLOGY (PRINTERS)Audio: English (Original Language)
Model: 56300
Product features:
- Print labels directly onto your CDs and DVDs
- Thermal transfer technology for professional look
- Prints both text and graphics, uses any font or graphic on your PC
- Automatically rotates to print in 4 areas of the disc
- USB interface, includes cables and software
- Primera Technology 56130 Ribbon, Signature Z1 Black Ribbon
- Primera 56120 Black Ribbon (12-Pack, Signature Z1 Printer)
- Primera 56132 Red Ribbon (Signature Z1 Printer)
- Primera 56131 Blue Ribbon (Signature Z1 Printer)
- Primera 56133 Green Ribbon (Signature Z1 Printer)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Primera Signature Z1 CD/DVD Label Printer
Customer Review: Does what it says and does it well, within limitations
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had my Z1 for several years now, and gone through many discs with it. Here's my experience, and tips for getting the best out of your Z1.
Overall, I love this printer. It has worked quite well for me since the day I got it. To date I must have put 500 discs through it.
The Z1 uses a monochrome thermal ink cartridge to mark the disc. Unlike inkjet technology, the thermal print is not water-soluble, and will not rub or wash off. Even hard scratching with fingernails is not enough to damage the print. To me, this is a big advantage over inkjet.
The software only allows printing inside of four quadrants on the disc - upper, lower, left and right. Each quadrant is a rectangular area. Printing completely around the disc circumference is therefore not possible. Still, this is better than some similar printers, which only allow you to print in two areas on the disc (top and bottom).
Since the print mechanism uses a ribbon-type cartridge, and not an ink cartridge, full-color printing is not possible. You can get single colors other than black, although I've never tried them.
The printer is designed to take normal - that is, non-inkjet-printable - media. I don't know what would happen if you tried inkjet-printable media in it, as the thermal printing only sticks to certain types of surfaces.
Unfortunately, there is really no way to know if the printer will print effectively on any given type of disc. Most online retailers sell a variety of media that have no markings on the top surface.
When used properly, the output is really quite impressive, as far as it goes - or at least I think so, and my friends agree. Importing graphics and such is easy, so it's possible to harvest clipart from DVD covers and online images to create pretty good-looking discs.
Some people have complained about the grayscale graphics quality. Truth be told, the printer does not do well on high-contrast images, or images with a lot of black. I find it best to lower the image contrast and raise the brightness by about 30% or so before trying to print an image. Most of the time it does OK. Sometimes it does good, and occasionally it does really well. Image manipulation outside the printing program can really help the final graphics output.
So yes, it's limited in some ways. But I dare you to find anything better for the price, or even four times the price. Sure, if you need color and don't mind smearing, an inkjet would be better. But for me, this little gadget is just what the doctor ordered.
Description of Primera Signature Z1 CD/DVD Label Printer
Print directly onto the surface of your discs with tough, waterproof, thermal transfer ink. The Signature Z1 CD & DVD Printer prints text, logos and line-art on up to four separate areas of a standard laxquer CD or DVD. Signature Z1 automatically spins the disc for perfect centering and printing in each quadrant. Professionally label your music, video, data and photo CDs and DVDs. Use the printer in your home, school, church or office anywhere you burn discs. Simply install the included label design software, enter your information and print. Never need to use sticky labels or marking pens ever again. Use any font that's already on your PC. Upload graphics and logos. Disc are automatically rotated to print in anoy of four different areas on blank CD-Rs, DVD-Rs or DVD+Rs. Label design software included Thermal Transfer Print Method 200 dpi resolution Print Speed about 26 seconds per print area 110/220VAC, 14.4 watts power Black Ribbon included, optional colored ribbon purchased seperately System Requirements - Windows 2000 or higher, Pentium 3 Processor, 266 MHz or higher, 128MB Memory Minimum, 100MB Free Hard Drive Space, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive Dimensions - Width 9.25 x Height 2.78 x Depth 7.48 inches Weight 2.2 poundsDigital Cameras & Photo Categories