Print Media of choise. / Poll

General discussion related to Steam Game Covers.
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Viper_Bravo
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Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by Viper_Bravo »

I'm stating this thread because i want to see what people use to print there Cover Art, and why.

LightScribe

Printable Disc Media

Sticky labels, and what brand/s

or any other options.
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atrusredtalon
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by atrusredtalon »

As of right now I just use my LightScribe to print on disks, for the covers I will just use my inkjet printer.
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by PieMonster »

For discs I use single-layer DVD-Rs with Lightscribe. For cases I have access to a full color laser printer.
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Razec
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by Razec »

Would any of you mind showing a picture of how the lightscribe comes out.

Funny thing is we had a conversation about lightscribe in a Hardware course I took a year ago. The tech was pretty much dead when it started.

I've seen how it works and how it comes out, but I would like to see how it comes out with a game label on it.

And to be on topic, I use Memorex High Gloss CD Labels. I bought 4 packs off Amazon for about $10 each. Bad thing is I'm running out of ink on my inkjet HP-POS printer.

For case inserts so far I haven't found any media that prints well in rich color, I've seen recommendations for High Gloss Brochure Paper, so I'm going to give that a crack. I bought some Memorex Disc Insert paper, which was supposed to give good quality images, but it didn't.

Could be a mix of my ink running out and not producing good colors, but the material wasn't all that great.

So what I will do and show off in the future is a High Gloss Label and a High Gloss Brochure paper Insert.

I am pretty anal and OCDish about my things like this, but I like to keep things looking good and the best.
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Viper_Bravo
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by Viper_Bravo »

Razec wrote:Would any of you mind showing a picture of how the lightscribe comes out.
Sure, Lightscribe tends to work best with artwork that has good contrast. If your going to use a color image you need to make it black and white in Photoshop then adjust the colors to increase the contrast. Below is a nice LS image with great contrast.

Image

This is a bad LS image, for several reasons. Contrast was never touched so things look way to light. Also, there is a setting in the LS software to intensify the image,IE make it darker, but that wasn't applied. LS is also nice because if you want to re-burn the image on the disc, to darken it, the notches on the inner rings allow the software to realign the disc so there is no ghosting like effect.

Image
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Razec
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by Razec »

Just wanted to show you a cover I printed on HP Presentation Glossy paper I bought.

The pack of 50 is about $15 from Staples, it can be found cheaper else where of course. The paper is a bit thick so I will scour around for some thinner media to print on. I have yet to use Brochure paper so I will give that a try next.

This paper even with my crappy inkjet printer -- crappy to me at least, did very well. Again the only problem I saw with it, is that it is pretty thick.

I have a paper cutter and even that had a bit of trouble cutting through it, its a cheap one so I know a better one will do the job.

But check it out and tell me what you guys think.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/2893/2 ... 231658.jpg
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by PieMonster »

@Razec That actually looks really cool! Thanks for sharing it. I never thought about printing on glossy paper. I generally use matte photo paper and a laser printer (from work).
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Razec
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by Razec »

Cool, I don't have the luxury of using a laser printer.

But I am actually very pleased with how this came out. One thing I don't like is the Memorex Glossy Disc Labels. I'm going to give Avery or another brand a try.

One thing that I don't like from this paper is its thickness like I said before. Its either I get a better paper cutter, steadier hands for cutting with scissors, or thinner paper of course.

I didn't like the quality finish of matte paper.

If you could show a picture, but mine came out lazy looking in color and very lacking. But again it is an inkjet printer as opposed to a laser printer.
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by PieMonster »

Sorry for the delay. Here is a sample for "The Ball" cover printed on matte regular paper with a laser printer (I also threw in the disc).

Image
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Eldgrim
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Re: Print Media of choise. / Poll

Post by Eldgrim »

Hello,

How do you print these covers? Is it okay to print them into A4 size papers?
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