Labeling DVDs for Archive

Video Transcript

"In this clip, I will talk about how to label your DVDs. OK, the one thing about labeling DVDs is that you have to use the right type of pen. I usually just use a Sharpie pen and write directly on there. I have already wrote on this one, 'Test DVD'. What you don't want to use is a ballpoint pen or any type of pen that will scratch and break this top layer. That is because this layer, that you see on the front of the DVD, is actually where the data is stored. It is on the bottom of it or just below the surface. So, if you scratch off the top layer, then your data is lost and your DVD is unreadable. They also sell pens specifically made for writing on DVDs. They say that those work better. I've been using Sharpies. I have discs that are ten years old and they still look fine. So, for me, Sharpies have worked. You can use it, at your own risk, or you can just buy one of those pens. What I must say, though, is doing use the labels that you can buy. Specifically, the labels with the stampers where you stamp a circular label on, after you have printed it up in you printer. What happens with those is the glue, that is used to connect the label to your DVD, can start to melt when the DVD is playing. When it is playing, it is spinning incredibly fast and the glue starts to melt and that label becomes uneven. It starts to make the DVD wobble because it is sitting on top of the DVD loosely. This can start make it wobble; as it is spinning really fast, and that can break your DVD player, as well as, potentially break your disc. I would avoid those, at all costs, because that's not good. What you can do, though, is buy these, which are ink-jet printable DVDs. As you can see, it is just a white surface, which is also a printable surface. If you get the right printer, you can print directly onto it. It looks really good. It's better than the printable labels anyway, because it doesn't peel off or anything. Also, you don't have to apply it or worry about it breaking your DVD player. You can write directly onto these with a Sharpie or anything and it is probably better than writing on just a standard DVD. So, those are the best ways to label your DVDs for archive."