-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Thanks for your help with this. I actually don't think drying will be a problem, as we can always buy DVDs and CDs which are inkjet printable. These discs only cost $0.01 more on average than other types of DVDs. At 08:01 PM 4/25/2006, you wrote:

Greg Newby wrote:

...

Does anyone have the time and inclination to research and procure an ink stamp for our CD and DVD giveaways?

The giveaway details are here: http://www.gutenberg.org/cdproject

We've been hand-lettering the CD/DVD discs (or just sending them blank...using writable media). I thought a simple rubber stamp and ink pad (or self-stamping) would look a little better.

Getting ink that would print properly (not smear or run) on a DVD might be difficult.

Aaron, who is our CD/DVD giveaway ringmaster, computed some sizes and text ideas:

...

I think a stamp that had our web address, said "Project Gutenberg free EBook DVD," and also perhaps said something to the effect of "copy, share, enjoy," would be ideal.

We have a few options for the stamp size: 1.25x1.25" 1x2" .75x2.25" .5x2.5"

Such a stamp would be much, much cheaper than pre-printed blank CD or DVD media or other options.

If anyone has the time and inclination to work on a design, find out where such stamps are easily acquired, and see about the ink issues, please do!! Thanks!!!

No real experience in this, so take this with a grain of salt...

Just doing a google search on "custom rubber stamp" returns a large number of hits. Best bet would be to call up one of these guys and ask them about stamping on CD's. One of them has probably answered this question before.

In one FAQ (from http://www.xpressstamp.com/faq.asp)

Q. Will it work on Photos? *A.* No, the ink will not dry on photos. We do offer special ink for photo stamping. Please call us to order.

so I suspect you will need this same special ink for CD's. I just tried regular stamp ink on a CD, and it will *not* dry.

Prices from these people look like they are start at $5.00 for a 1/3" x 6", and go up from there to $23 for a 4" x 6". (Plus more for stamp pad and special ink)

Most look like they are limited to a small graphic on one side, and "address lines" on the rest, which sounds like what you want anyway.

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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 How much did you pay for the printer? How much do you pay for replacement ink? How many discs can you print with one cartridge? What I've read has led me to believe that the cost per disc would be prohibitive. Also, less expensive printers weren't designed to handle the volume which we require. Nevertheless, thanks for your offer. Sincerely Aaron Cannon At 02:21 AM 4/26/2006, you wrote:

Hi Everybody,

Well, since someelse mentioned it that we will probaly be needing printable DVDs /Cds then why not get a printer that will print on DVD/Cds. Of course there are dedicated printers.

In the end run I think a printer would be more feasible.

I have a Pixima from Canon that prints DVD/Cds, but I am in Germany. I think the cost of sending me the DVD/Cds and sending them back would cost to much. But, I am willing.

regards Keith

Am 26.04.2006 um 06:23 schrieb Aaron Cannon:

...

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Thanks for your help with this. I actually don't think drying will be a problem, as we can always buy DVDs and CDs which are inkjet printable. These discs only cost $0.01 more on average than other types of DVDs.

[snip, snip]

---

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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 I'll definitely do as you suggest and test it when I receive a new batch of printables. I spoke with a CSR from Stamp Xpress today (http://ww.stampxpress.com) and she gave me a lot of helpful information. They do offer the photo-type ink, so if necessary, we can order that instead. Anyway, based on what she told me, it looks like a self-inking type stamp will be the way to go. Pre-inked stamps seem to give a little better impression, but they can only be used 8-10 times before they need to rest for a couple minutes. this probably wouldn't work for us, as we usually do things in large batches. So, now we just need someone who can design a stamp for us. The one that seems to come closest to the proper dimensions is at http://www.stampxpress.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=IDEAL100 . It's dimensions are 3/4" x 2-3/8" The formula I devised for determining whether or not a rectangular shape would fit on the printable surface of a DVD is: l^2 + (w^2/4) <= 2 where l and w are the length and width in inches of the stamp. This formula provides for some extra space around the edges of the stamp, so one doesn't need to worry about getting it exactly right on target. Alternatively, the web site provides for simply entering text and picking a style, so that may be another option. Any thoughts? Sincerely Aaron Cannon At 12:37 PM 4/26/2006, you wrote:

I'd still test it before spending much money on the project. Just borrow one of those "received" or "void" stamps from someones office, and stamp it onto one of those CD's.

Ink-jet ink and stamp-ink are very different.

Stamp-ink does not dry on any plastic surface that I have tried. Even leaving it on overnight does not help.

Stamp-ink is designed to pull water from the air to keep it moist. When it is applied to regular paper, the paper can apparently wick the water away faster than the ink absorbes it, or something to that effect. Plastic surfaces (and glossy surfaces) just don't work right, no wicking, so the ink always remains wet.

This is a "feature" of the stamp-ink, so that you don't have to worry about your stamp pad drying out between uses.

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Labels have their own problems.. for one thing, they are very easy to misapply and throw off the balance of a CD. (Even worse, I've seen people use address-type rectangular labels on CDs.. it made the whole PC shake.) Second, they cut the average life of a CD by a large margin either through damaging the reflective layer directly (lifting up the thin foil) or the glue damaging the top varnish. Some of the modern kits may do better, but I've had bad experiences with labeled discs in the past. http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15800263&pgno=2&queryText= Has anyone checked into getting a few thousand blank disks screen printed by a professional printing outfit? R C On 4/26/06, Gardner Buchanan <gbuchana@adobe.com> wrote:

I would recommend looking into a label-based approach. I think the plain white laser printer labels go for $0.05 per unit in quantity - amazingly expensive given what they are, but probably economical. There are Word templates and many utilities for designing to these label layouts.

The solution is scalable, in the sense than any volunteer can buy a box of labels, box of CDs, download the CD image and the label design and then burn, print and label nice looking final CDs/DVDs.

See you,

Gardner Buchanan Adobe Systems Canada Office: +1 613 940 3842 Mobile: +1 613 884 7940

-----Original Message----- From: gutvol-d-bounces@lists.pglaf.org [mailto:gutvol-d-bounces@lists.pglaf.org] On Behalf Of Aaron Cannon Sent: April 26, 2006 16:22 To: Project Gutenberg Volunteer Discussion Subject: Re: [gutvol-d] cdproject seeks CD/DVD stamp

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I'll definitely do as you suggest and test it when I receive a new batch of printables.

I spoke with a CSR from Stamp Xpress today (http://ww.stampxpress.com) and she gave me a lot of helpful information. They do offer the photo-type ink, so if necessary, we can order that instead.

Anyway, based on what she told me, it looks like a self-inking type stamp will be the way to go. Pre-inked stamps seem to give a little better impression, but they can only be used 8-10 times before they need to rest for a couple minutes. this probably wouldn't work for us, as we usually do things in large batches.

So, now we just need someone who can design a stamp for us. The one that seems to come closest to the proper dimensions is at http://www.stampxpress.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=IDEAL100 . It's dimensions are 3/4" x 2-3/8"

The formula I devised for determining whether or not a rectangular shape would fit on the printable surface of a DVD is: l^2 + (w^2/4) <= 2 where l and w are the length and width in inches of the stamp. This formula provides for some extra space around the edges of the stamp, so one doesn't need to worry about getting it exactly right on target.

Alternatively, the web site provides for simply entering text and picking a style, so that may be another option. Any thoughts?

Sincerely Aaron Cannon

At 12:37 PM 4/26/2006, you wrote:

...

I'd still test it before spending much money on the project. Just borrow one of those "received" or "void" stamps from someones office, and stamp it onto one of those CD's.

Ink-jet ink and stamp-ink are very different.

Stamp-ink does not dry on any plastic surface that I have tried. Even leaving it on overnight does not help.

Stamp-ink is designed to pull water from the air to keep it moist. When it is applied to regular paper, the paper can apparently wick the water away faster than the ink absorbes it, or something to that effect. Plastic surfaces (and glossy surfaces) just don't work right, no wicking, so the ink always remains wet.

This is a "feature" of the stamp-ink, so that you don't have to worry about your stamp pad drying out between uses.

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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 The reason we wanted to go with a stamp was because up until now the discs have been hand labeled. Unfortunately, due to the high number of requests, hand labeling is no longer as feasible as it once was. The reason we are considering the use of a stamp is also because it's cheap. We've considered ordering preprinted discs, but it's not cheap, or at least not as cheap. Sure, it makes a great first impression, but I don't believe that the added cost is worth it. I don't recalled what the price was when I last looked, but it was at least $0.20 more per disc than we are currently paying. PG will shortly be acquiring an 11 disc duplicator which will be capable of outputting as many as 66 discs an hour. So, obviously, labeling will become an even bigger issue than it already is. In addition, John Hagerson is already using a robotic duplicator with which he is able to burn and verify 50 discs per day. Many of our other volunteers who mail smaller quantities will likely still use hand labeling, but for myself and possibly John, a stamp would save a lot of work. Of course any donations of good quality discs are always welcome, whether they are preprinted or not, but so far it hasn't happened. Although, to be fair, we have never looked for such a donation either. Sincerely Aaron Cannon At 07:51 PM 4/26/2006, you wrote:

On Wednesday 26 April 2006 08:35 pm, Robert Cicconetti wrote:

...

Has anyone checked into getting a few thousand blank disks screen printed by a professional printing outfit?

This is probably an optimal solution, especially if one of the companies can be convinced to donate them. _______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d

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