Using Graphics and Text to label your CD or DVD library
Want to make those CD's and DVD's you burn at home look Professional? Want to make your music CD or DVD titles easier to find? The Answer is to print the label directly on the CD/DVD with an inkjet printer using printable media. For the rest of this guide I will use optical media to represent both CD's and DVD's. I use face side for the label side of the optical media.
Comparison of three methods used to label media:
Writing or marking the face of the media using a marker or pen. This is the least expensive method of identifying your media; you don't even have to purchase printable media. Problems associated with this method include illegible writing (nobody can read the handwriting) and damage to the media. The top surface of the media has a coating that reflects the light of the laser. If the label side is damaged by a scratch or gouge when you use a pen the media becomes unusable. Using a felt tip marker is best but some of the markers will dissolve or damage the layer and the media is worthless.
Self stick media label that is pressed on. This is the most expensive and difficult method for labeling media.  The labels cost about 20 cents each in bulk; 50 cents each at retail. The sheet has to be loaded in the printer. The label has to be printed. The completed label has to be carefully removed from the sheet. The label has to be placed on a label press. Then the media has to be placed on the label press. Finally the label and media are joined. This is a time honored method of identifying your media. Problems occur after the label ages and the glue hardens. Small cracks and fissures occur on the face of the media and it becomes useless. The label can curl from aging, drying or exposure to large swings in temperature. The time frame for this varies with the quality of the label; my experience is about two years before some of my media has failed. This is also the time frame for some other people that have used this method of labeling.
You can print the label directly on the media. This method costs more than the pen or marker method but much less than the self sticking medial label. The printable media is placed on the CD/DVD tray and the inkjet printer reproduces the pictures, text or graphic directly on the media. The media then has a permanent label that does not risk damaging the top reflective layer of the media and the label will not curl resulting in hairline cracks that can damage the media in the future. This is the fastest method of professionally labeling your media.
You will need a printer that can print directly on the printable media. Epson sells several printers that will print directly on the media. I am sure other companies also sell printers that will do this. The price begins at $100 retail for the Epson R200 color printer.
You will need printable media to put the image on. I have tried to make my own printable media by coating the media with spay paints, etc; all of my attempts met with complete failure so I purchase my printable media. You can purchase printable media at WAY TO PRINT. Don't buy the media in large quantity until you have tried some to make sure it is compatible with your media burner.