Better LightScribe Contrast
LightScribe labeling has two shortcomings...
Below I show you the four ways to get better LightScribe contrast, getting the dark LightScribe labels we all desire. As for color labels, solving this problem is way beyond me and probably anybody else... LightScribe labels are created by 'burning' an image (and/or text) onto a specially prepared disc. The LightScribe layer reacts to the light emitted by the laser in a LightScribe drive and changes the color of the pigment on the disc in relation to the varying contrast of the image being burned. So any attempt to increase the contrast of a LightScribe label must work with the strengths and weaknesses of the LightScribe.
1: LightScribe Control PanelThe first thing you must do is to set the contrast in the LightScribe Control Panel to Enhanced...
The LightScribe control panel can be opened from either the icon in the desktop taskbar...
Or from the start menu...
When you launch it go to the Settings Tab and change the default setting for LightScribe Contrast to Enhanced.
This completes the first step in achieving better LightScribe contrast. If you do just this one step your LightScribe labels will be about 30-40% darker. Please Note: This is a 'one time only' operation. Once the LightScribe Contrast settings have been changed you never have to use the LightScribe control panel again...
2: LightScribe 'Print' SettingThe next step in creating darker LightScribe Labels is one you probably already do. However just in case I will outline this very simple LightScribe contrast essential... No matter which Lightscribe labeling software you use you will always be offer three print settings. To illustrate I will use the good old LightScribe Template Labeler... I will not here go through the label design process as all we are interested in is how to increase the contrast of our LightScribe labels. So to that end I will go straight to the 'print screen'.
Here we can see the 3 options:
It goes without saying but I'm going to say it anyway... ALWAYS use BEST! Now putting together both Enhanced Contrast setting AND the Print Contrast setting we get a significant improvement in LightScribe Label contrast. As much as 100% depending on the depth of contrast in the original label image. Please Note: There is a 'cost' to all this getting a darker LightScribe label and that is the time it takes to burn the label. The following LightScribe contrast diagram illustrates the variation achievable.
3: Maximize LightScribe Label Design ContrastThis next way to increase the contrast of your LightScribe labels is in fact the most 'complicated' of the four. The reason LightScribe labels suffer from poor contrast in many cases is the fact that the original photos or images used to create the label are themselves lacking in definition. The way to overcome this and hence create darker LightScribe labels is to alter the brightness and contrast of these original 'images'. To do this you will need either a separate image editing program and/or LightScribe labeling software capable of manipulating the images one they have been imported into it. Please Note: The LightScribe Toolbox contains both of these. A great graphics program to edit your images and LightScribe labeling software capable of further enhancing you images if necessary. Below are the results of using 'Original' photos to create a LightScribe disc and the difference altering the brightness and contrast makes:
And the proof of the pudding is in the final disc...
4: Multiple PrintsFinally if you have done all of the above and you are still not happy with the quality of your LightScribe label then you have one final trick up your sleeve... Burn the label again... LightScribe has the unique ability to multiple burn the label and in doing so darken the LightScribe image with each successive burn. To do this in the LightScribe print options choose the number of times you want the label to be burned...
Please Note: The CD/DVD will probably eject between print runs, just close the burner's tray and carry on... The multiple burning of LightScribe labels is achieved because the ring in the center of the LightScribe disc contains position information to enable the image to be repositioned exactly each time it is burned. The downside of re-burning is of course the time it takes to burn the label again. If quality is of paramount importance and time is not an issue then this final step in conjunction with the other three will create discs you will be proud of.
And Finally... Please be aware that because of the difference in the thickness of the LightScribe coating on CD's and DVD's (DVD's being thicker...) that LightScribe DVD's will always burn 'lighter' than LightScribe CD's. So pay particular attention to contrast when you are labeling a LightScribe DVD, what may be fin on a CD may not on a DVD.
I hope the forgoing has been helpful in your quest to create great LightScribe labels. Do remember I welcome any and all comments from fellow LightScribe users so email me with any thoughts you may have.
Here is to your continued LightScribe Labeling Success... Best regards,
Further recommended reading:
7 Steps to LightScribe Success
7 Steps to LightScribe Success
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Some of our recent Customer Feedback... |
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Steve,
I received the toolbox CD yesterday and Thursday night I burned the first label to a CD.
Burning the label was easy, even for a novice like me. Everything I needed was in the toolbox.
I am excited about being able to burn directly to the disc!! No more paper labels for me!!
Thanks for such a priceless toolbox.
Audrey Cato Texas - USA
Dear Steve,
Steve
As a photographer LightScribe is a marketing tool. Your product has just saved the day!
Sharon Orienter Rochester - USA
Steve,
I got the software and it works great, I love it. I made 2 CD’s within the first 1/2 hr after installation.
I couldn't be more happy. Thanks for the great price too, nowadays money is tight, but 17 dollars for software that includes so much, and so easy to use is worth every penny.
Thanks again. You can quote me if you want.
Janet Menchyk - USA
Got your product. WOW works great and sooooo easy. Best 17 bucks I have spent in a long time.
It works so good I don't need Tec support so I am just sending this Email to say Hello and thanks.
Jim Smith – USA
Hi Steve
Thanks for helping me out. I now saved the link in my favourites as you had instructed, and have successfully loaded the software.
It is wonderful and easy to use, thanks for making it simple for the non-tekkie!
Don Kiefiuk – USA
Steve
Thank you for the professional site. It was a really great experience to see something so easy, direct and informative.
The “Big Guys” have missed the point on customer service. You really have hit the mark.
Tom Karl – USA
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the GREAT product. It's products like yours that make using my computer a lot more enjoyable!
I was burning my first LightScribe disc label about 20 minutes after I got home.
Thanks for the disc tip, the next time I buy disc, I'll be sure to get Verbatim.
Dennis Coleman – USA
Hi Steve
Like you I was expecting to simply use Nero 7 to print LightScribe Labels but oh no!
Now thanks to yourself and this superb software I am merrily printing away.
Many, many thanks and keep up the great work.
George Douglass - UK
Steve
Product is great; worked exactly as advertised.
Money well spent. I’ve been making labels all afternoon. Thanks.
Peter Macey – USA
Steve,
I installed Vista, lost Light Scribe, and could not figure out how to get it back in, even after getting a firmware update for my cd/dvd drive.
Installing your stuff put the driver back in and now even my Nero software finds it. Thanks a bunch!
Patrick Davis – USA
Steve,
Thanks for the email. I have not had a chance to scour it all, but I was able to create a quick disk that looked awesome, so thanks for everything.
Your toolbox has everything anyone would ever dream of needing to make some awesome LightScribe labels, I just loved it.
I personally think its well worth the investment, 100 times over.
Pat Ferrell - USA
Hi Steve,
I purchased your software and a LiteOn 20x DVD RW Dual Layer Super Drive.
Your software works just great and the
LITEON drive burned a magnificent image right out of the box, first try!
I couldn't be happier.
Charlie Scott - USA
Hi Steve
I have just scribed my 1st CD label - It's idiot proof.
If I managed to use it so can anyone! Thank you.
Belinda Chalk – UK
Steve
Very nice package! Exactly what I was looking for!
Edward Adams Jr.– USA
Hi Steve
I am delighted with your software.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year from us in South Africa.
Regards
Manfred Ahrensmeier – RSA
Steve Abilene - USA
Steve, Your software works simply awesome! I burned a pretty complex background and it was so simple. I can't wait to get more elaborate with it! I will recommend this to anyone I know with a lightscribe drive! Chuck Hammond - USA |
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