Date:         Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:01:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         Angie Dickinson Mickle <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: CD-ROM marking pens
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
In-Reply-To:  <002501c5ebdf$e1e89e40$6401a8c0@tomofficenew>
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Tom,
I also have used Sharpies without a noticeable problem for a number of 
years.  If I come across a problem, I'll retract, but right now, I 
continue to use Sharpies.

Angie Dickinson Mickle
Arvada, Colorado
www.avocadoproductions.com

Tom Fine wrote:
> I think this "can" area is pretty wide. I've used a Sharpie on everything
> from generic shiny-foil Staples 100-for-free-after-rebate specials to $1 per
> disc gold CDR's and never had a problem. Black, blue, green, purple and red
> Sharpies used, sometimes in combination. I don't press hard or make
> double-marks, but I don't see how that would make a difference if this
> allegedly harmful solvent is in the ink anyway, large mark or small. I
> really think this is mostly a myth that probably sprang up because one or
> two ultra-cheapo types had non-existent or inadequate coating over the foil
> that's over the dye and thus the process of pressing on the foil tore it and
> caused ink to mingle with date-holding dye. You shouldn't even use such
> discs for original creations or archiving (for copies for the car, for
> instance, it can be argued that whatever's cheapest is OK); that's where the
> $1/disc gold types earn their price. In my experience, a much more likely
> death-scenario with cheapo CDR's is that the foil is so thin and so brittle
> that taking the disc out of a cheapo jewel box that grips the center too
> hard causes the foil to split and/or peel. That has happened to a few
> 100-for-free-after-rebate discs, which is why I don't buy them anymore.
> Also, as a matter of good practices, one should never make just one copy of
> a CDR one values or archives. Media is cheap, losing content is not.
> 
> I've actually been astounded by how consistently reliable CD media has been
> even as speeds have increased and prices have dropped. I don't think I've
> ended up with even 25 coasters in thousands of discs burned -- and that's
> including our duping operation at work where I buy the dirt-cheapest media I
> can find. Even under the worst torture, living in my un-garaged truck, CDR's
> tend to last a year or more; usually it's their second summer of heat and
> humidity that kills them. I think most alleged problems with media are
> actually malfunctions of cheapo burners or misbehaving computers. I'm a big
> advocate of Plextor drives. Out of those maybe 25 coasters, fewer than half
> happened since I switched to Plextor drives for most of my burning, which
> was only a couple of years after I started. Plextors seem able to do most
> blank media just fine but do seem prone to reject what you'd call the bottom
> of the barrell stuff like Staples own-branded blanks. They don't do the
> generic/pennies-per-disc types we feed the duper. The duper machine has LG
> burners and it's never produced a coaster unless the blank was scratched in
> transit and I didn't catch it and toss it before loading it.
> 
> By the way, while we're talking CDR's, I've recently come to the conclusion
> that it's probably smart to make copies of all one's
> enjoyed/valued/treasured/loved music CD's and treat the originals with great
> care because so much is being taken out of print. I've been shocked in
> recent years at how many jazz reissues from the 1990's are now completely
> out of print. Also note that at least one company clearly states on its
> packaging how long a title will be in print -- generally 3-5 years after
> release. So my point is that one should treat their CD collection as
> becoming irreplaceable like their LP collection.
> 
> -- Tom Fine
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jerome Hartke" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 7:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] CD-ROM marking pens
> 
> 
> 
>>Solvent-based inks, such as used in the Sharpie, can penetrate the
>>protective layer on the label surface of CD discs. The formulation of this
>>layer varies; some being more resistant to solvents than others. I am glad
>>that you have been lucky, but do not recommend use of such pens on discs
>>that are not easily replaceable.
>>
>>Jerry
>>Media Sciences, Inc.
>>
>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
>>>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom Fine
>>>Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 5:46 PM
>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] CD-ROM marking pens
>>>
>>>TDK ones have lasted a long time here. Just to throw this out there,
> 
> I've
> 
>>>never had a problem with a disc labelled with a Sharpie. Some discs are
>>>now
>>>7+ years old and no problems. Some get played often. Methinks there's
> 
> some
> 
>>>mythology around Sharpies and CD's, but there are perfectly good "for
> 
> CD's
> 
>>>specifically" alternatives.
>>>
>>>-- Tom Fine
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "Mike Richter" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 2:49 PM
>>>Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] CD-ROM marking pens
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Colin Schlachta wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Hello,
>>>>>
>>>>>I was wondering if anyone knows of a non-smudging, non-toxic water
>>>
>>>based
>>>
>>>>>pen that performs like a permanent marker on CD-ROMs.  My supplier
> 
> no
> 
>>>>>longer carries them and I'm now looking for another source.
>>>>
>>>>TDK sells such pens both all-black and in colors. For the latter, the
>>>>trademark is "CD Mark". Computer Geeks has sold Hi-Val instruments
>>>>called CD Marking Pens which carry all the right assurances; I've
> 
> bought
> 
>>>>a couple of pair but have not used them yet.
>>>>
>>>>A local art-supply shop (brick and mortar - remember those?) offered a
>>>>variety of candidates in assorted colors and widths. For many
> 
> purposes,
> 
>>>>I've found the Farber-Castell PITT artist pen most useful in black,
>>>>though it claims to use "Indian" ink <G>. The brush tip works well but
>>>>finer ones are available.
>>>>
>>>>Mike
>>>>--
>>>>[log in to unmask]
>>>>http://www.mrichter.com/
> 
> 
> 
> 
>