CD and DVD labels have a wide range of practical and artistic uses. Inexpensive, utilitarian labels have made organizing office files easier and more effective as CDs and DVDs have come into play for those functions. On the other hand, higher quality labels are a staple for the music and film industries' disc production.

When writing on discs with markers and Sharpies just doesn't cut it, CD and DVD labels offer a cleaner, more professional alternative. By printing labels from your office computer, you can count on consistent, neat designs and save money you would have spent on professional services. Consider these possibilities for making the most of CD and DVD labels:

1. Inexpensive labels for general use make organizing your office software and files a breeze.

2. Label templates allow for efficient designing and labeling of discs.

3. Photo-quality and custom CD labels add a touch of personality to your media discs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Organize loose discs around the office with economy CD ROM labels

Rather than leaving loose CD and DVDs containg important business files strewn about your office, consider printing cheap CD and DVD labels neatly for your files. Printed on a paper matte, economical paper CD labels can organize your office space at an affordable price.

I recommend: Find inexpensive blank DVD labels for sale from Desktop Publishing Supplies and Americal.com.

Download CD and DVD label templates as bases for custom designs

Templates for CD labels make the labeling process more efficient and the product neat and organized. These are great for CD and DVD labels that need address, shipping, or any other common information. Most are free, so downloaded templates can potentially save you hours of work.

I recommend: Worldlabel.com and Meritline.com offer templates for both CD and DVD ROM labels.

Add an artsy flair to CD and DVD discs with glossy DVD labels and clear CD labels

Glossy DVD labels are made from a photo-quality paper, providing professional-grade photo prints right on your discs. Consider using glossy DVD labels for files that need to look presentable - they are perfect for anything from presentation files to music CDs. Another option is the clear CD label, which sticks invisibly to the surface of the disc. This allows you to print labels on a disc without covering up existing information.

I recommend: Buy DVD labels with glossy print from Fellowes or clear compact disk labels from Discount Office Items.

Build custom CD labels with label-creating software programs

Creating printed CD labels requires the proper CD label equipment; many types of software for custom CD labels are available for purchase. With software for custom CD label designs, the possibilities are endless - labeling software allows your creativity to take over.

I recommend: MicroVision Development's Sure Thing is a popular CD labeling program. CdCoverSoft's AudioLabel offers a free 15-day trial download for interested users.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to write on your own CD and DVD labels, use only markers or Sharpies specially designed for that purpose. Pencils and pens can dig into the CD and create damaging scratches. Crayon can melt in the drive and render the entire system useless.

CD and DVD labels are great ways to keep your collection of digital media organized and easily accessible. If you're creating your own CDs and DVDs, it's essential to make sure you or any of your employees can find the disc you're looking for without an extended search. CD label equipment can also create attractive finishes for CDs and DVDs that you're creating for clients.

CD and DVD ROMs are great for storing information, especially if you need to share data between computers; use CD ROM labels and DVD ROM labels to track this. Blank CD labels are cheaper options that allow hand-labeling, while DVD labels printed by laser printer are slightly more expensive but also more professional looking.

CD/DVD label options are varied, giving you the choice of labeling in whatever way pleases you most:

1. Purchase clear CD labels for a see-through finish that allows you to label while keeping a view of the original CD finish.

2. Buy CD label equipment for more professional looking labels, especially if you have a large library of CDs and DVDs to categorize.

3. Use glossy DVD labels to create photo quality finishes for your discs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create CD ROM labels and DVD ROM labels on your laser printer

If you're looking for quick production of CD labels, making them yourself is the way to go. Buy blank label stickers and use your personal printer to add whatever design or label you choose, then apply to a blank CD.

I recommend: OnlineLabels.com sells a variety of blank CD labels that may be printed through any standard laser printer. Browse their multiple label sheet layouts for labels that cover an entire full-size CD or DVD, mini CDs, or the spine of the CD case. For multi-colored blank labels, see KingdomPro's catalog of blank CD and DVD labels.

Choose the paper quality for your custom CD and DVD labels

If you're looking for a more professional-looking CD or DVD, look for labels of higher paper quality. High gloss labels can offer photo quality finishes, but may only work with InkJet printers. If you want to print your own labels, but are not concerned with the highest degree of quality, go for a standard paper label that may be printed on any laser printer.

I recommend: Neato sells a wide range of CD and DVD labels of varying paper qualities. If you're on a budget, go for their EconoMatte paper, which is excellent for text labels and not coated. For glossy labels, check out their LaserGloss or High Gloss paper which are more suited for photos and color.

Create bulk amounts of CD/DVD labels with a label printer

If you regularly need to print a large number of CD and DVD labels, purchase a label printer specifically designed to produce many labels quickly.

I recommend: DYMO LabelWriter printers create CD labels in as little as two seconds in high-resolution finishes. DYMO software is compatible with many popular software applications, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and CardScan. Buy one of its LabelWriter models, then stock up on blank CD labels to use with your new printer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For the most professional-looking CD and DVD labels, go to an expert service for digital or silkscreen printing to have words and images printed directly on the plastic coating of the disc.

CD and DVD labels come in a variety of different paper qualities and prices. For example you can purchase matte or glossy labels. In some offices, the matte labels, which are cheaper, are used for the in-house archiving of disks, while the glossy DVD labels and CD labels are used for client copies of the same archives. Knowing what kind of CD labels or DVD labels will run through your printer is also helpful. Styles currently on the market include inkJet only, laser only and inkJet and laser.

You save money if you know before your purchase what kind of CD and DVD labels you need. The wrong CD /DVD label kind doesn't present well and/or can smudge and become easily ruined if you have chosen the wrong kind of paper for your particular printer.

To learn more about saving money on CD and DVD labels:

1. Start with finding reasonably priced CD and DVD labels.

2. Consider compact disk labels and DVD labels for sale in bulk.

3. Use templates to design your CD and DVD labels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with knowing what kind of CD Rom labels and DVD Rom labels you need

Knowing what to buy when it comes to CD and DVD labels is just as important as where to buy. Finding the best online deals on a quality product isn't important if you are wasting your money on the wrong thing.

I recommend: Neato is an industry standard for your CD and DVD labels. They come in PhotoMatte, EconoMatte, LaserGloss and High Gloss. They also come in inkJet only, laser only and inkJet and laser. Kingdom offers both white and colored blank CD labels. Make the right paper choice the first time for your particular client and printer needs to save money repurchasing the right product later.

Think about purchasing your CD and DVD labels in bulk

Save money buy purchasing your CD and DVD labels in bulk. The more you purchase, the better pricing most bulk sites can give you.

I recommend: LabelGear has CD and blank DVD labels for sale in 100, 200 and 1,000 quantities. Whether you need 10,000 sheets, 20,000 sheets, 50,000 sheets or more, BuyLabelsOnline.Com sells bulk at wholesale prices, and they can offer you bigger discounts as your quantities increase.

Use templates to design your CD and DVD labels

Taking advantage of templates to design your CD and DVD labels will help you get your printing right the first time and reduce your wasted labels. In most cases, a little trial and error is normal, but the templates will certainly help control user mistakes.

I recommend: Use the Avery templates provided for their products. They offer templates for Microsoft Word, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word 2007 and Adobe InDesign. They also have a helpful "How to Use Templates" tutorial as well as fun seasonal featured templates. WorldLabel.com is another source for templates. You can easily download the free 8.5" x 11"in Word .doc, PDF, EPS and other formats for your CD and DVD labels.

CD and DVD labels are the best way to keep your data straight. If you have numerous CDs and DVDs, making sure the labels are clearly marked makes it easier to find them. There are blank CD and DVD labels, which are easy to write on, and glossy CD and DVD labels, which work better with a CD and DVD label maker.

The type of label you decide to get will depend on how you label your CDs and DVDs. Markers and Sharpies work well if you want to write on your labels. For a more professional look, use CD and DVD label templates and CD and DVD label software, along with a CD and DVD printer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Glossy labels, or photo gloss labels

Glossy CD and DVD labels make your CDs and DVDs look professional. These are perfect for presentation files, especially if you are not the one doing the presentation.

I recommend: LabelGear.com offers many different CD and DVD labels, including a few glossy types.

Matte CD and DVD labels

Matte CD and DVD labels are the least expensive kind, and the easiest to use. Simply write on them with a marker, and you can organize your information.

I recommend: Desktop Publishing Supplies offer a variety of CD and DVD labels, including labels that are compatible with Avery, Memorex and Neato labels.

Business card CDR labels

This type of label is the shape of a business card with a hole through the middle, perfect for labeling CDR business cards. You can print these with your name, contact information and logo.

I recommend: MultishapeCDRom.com pictures many of its business card shape CDRs.

CD and DVD label templates

CD and DVD label templates are a big help if need your CDs and DVDs to look professional. You can use most of these templates with any Microsoft Word document or PDF file.

I recommend: WorldLabel.com offers many templates you can use to make your CD and DVD labels.

CD and DVD label software programs

CD and DVD label software programs make your life so much easier. They offer a variety of features you can use to make your CDs or DVDs look more professional. You can create backgrounds, either by using the stock images the programs provide or importing your own picture files. You can also choose from a variety of fonts.

I recommend: MicroVision Development makes a label program that lets you import your own pictures to make your own backgrounds. The software also offers many other features you can use to make your labels distinct.

CD and DVD label printer

Although you can make CD and DVD labels on your ink jet or laser printer, sometimes it is better if you have a specific printer just for making CD and DVD labels. This keeps your everyday printer free for document printing; otherwise, you risk jamming it with the CD and DVD labels.

I recommend: The DYMO LabelWriter printers can make all your CD and DVD labels.