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Silk-Screening a CD or DVD Disc
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Store bought CDs and DVDs are almost always printed using a method called silk-screening. This process is the same used for screening shirts and specialty items. It makes use of UV ink and places the ink on the disc by being run through a screen by a squeegee.
To silk-screen a CD or DVD, the screening machines have round indentations in a table top for the discs to be automatically set into. The machine is entirely controlled by a robotic CNC and places, screens, and removes the disc all automatically with an operator running the machine. A Robotic arm operates the actual screens and lowers each disc onto the table as it is rotated into position on the table.
Using an automated dispenser, the selected ink color is applied in a controlled amount and spread over the disc using an automated squeegee. The use of a CNC system allows for mass quantities of discs to be finished as opposed to the older style of hand screening a shirt.
After each color is applied, the automated table rotates to the next position but will actually skip one position to allow some air-drying between coats. This allows for two set of discs being screened at once. Each position on the system wheel has a different color and a different screen.
To prevent the ink from dripping or bleeding, an exact measured amount of ink is applied through the screen by a squeegee. Specially formulated inks are used that react with UV lamps and cure when passed under them. This permanently dries the ink so that it can not be smeared even if it is exposed to moisture. Once cured under the UV lamp, they are removed and stacked onto a spindle for further packaging.
If creating a store bought look is the desired effect, then silk-screening is the method to use. While thermal and inkjet printing looks nice, it does not have the same look. If your artwork requires the center hub to be filled in with ink, that effect can not be done with thermal or inkjet. Silk-screening produces a much cleaner and more durable looking disc.
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