Alignment problems printing direct to DVD with Epson R220

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Level 2

230 points

Alignment problems printing direct to DVD with Epson R220

I know this question isn't specifically related to iDVD but I wondered if someone could help please?

I recently bought an Epson R220 printer to print direct to DVDs created with iDVD as I know labels stuck onto DVDs are best avoided.

However, using both the bundled Epson Print CD software and 'disclabel', I find the print is about 1cm off centre. I'm really surprised by this, as I thought these machines would just work out of the box - detecting through the software where the centre of the DVD is? I've tried everything to remedy this (including the position adjustment within Print CD which allows up to 5mm fine-tuning). The problem is I need more than fine tuning - the print is way off!

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has an R200 or R220 and might have had a similar problem as I've spoken to Windows users with the same printer, who report no such hassle.

Many thanks,

Ant

G5 2GHz dual, PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 22, 2006 12:40 AM

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Answer 1

VJK

Level 5

4,260 points

Aug 22, 2006 5:41 AM in response to ant

I've had no such probs with our R220

I assume you've created your label in the software and, on your puter monitor, all looks well?

And you have the DVD tray set properly, under the rollers with the arrows alligned?

If yes and your labels are still off, call Epson support. I found them very helpful myself

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Answer 2

ant Author

Level 2

230 points

Aug 22, 2006 6:46 AM in response to VJK

Many thanks for the response. Yes to all those. I've spent an hour on the phone to Epson - I too found them very helpful.

Went through re-installing the software etc but no joy. I see you're running 10.3 - is that still current? I'd be interested to hear if anybody's had a problem with this printer and DVD printing running 10.4.7 - although I suspect that because I still can't print properly with disclabel, a different app, it's going to be down to the printer hardware. I'll report back if it is when the replacement arrives!

Thanks again,

Ant

G5 2GHz dual, PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 3

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Aug 22, 2006 7:32 AM in response to ant

In page setup make sure the correct paper size and orientation are set up. I think it should be A4 and portrait. There is also a way for adjusting centering but I don't think it can quite do 1 cm.

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Answer 4

ant Author

Level 2

230 points

Aug 23, 2006 2:23 AM in response to Hardy Geer

Thanks Harry - I'm intrigued by this - as I don't seem able to set a preference on landscape or portrait - except when printing something like a document from text edit or Word.

If, for example, I'm in EPSON Print CD and I click on drop down menu under that name, my preferences are greyed out. Even if I could somehow adjust this setting, I'm a bit baffled as to how setting landscape or portrait would effect the printing of a CD or DVD - perhaps you might have a moment to explain (?) - no worries if not.

I appreciate your help in any case. I'll update this thread when the new printer arrives - it could just be a problem with the machine.

Ant

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Answer 5

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Aug 23, 2006 5:34 AM in response to ant

Select page setup in the file menu. There you will find a menu from which you can select letter legal A4 et cetera. Below that are three little pictures which allow you to select Portrait and two orientations of landscape, bottom at the right and bottom at the left.
I think that the printer centers your DVD on the left margin of your selected paper. I had the printout centered way off on the left edge of the disk with landscape.

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Answer 6

ant Author

Level 2

230 points

Aug 23, 2006 6:18 AM in response to Hardy Geer

Thanks Hardy - apologies for spelling your name incorrectly last time.

I'm in Epson Print CD.

I go to the file menu - I have the following options:
New
Open
Close
Save
Save As
Change CD/Dvd Innter/Outer Diameter (set to 12cm CD/DVD)
Print
Update printer information.

Nowhere is there a page set up option. There is, however, this option in the disclabel equivalent application (in the file menu as you suggested). I adjusted my paper size to A4 100% and to portrait as opposed to landscape. I also tried 90%. Unforunately no change to the CD/DVD being printed way off centre.

Thanks again

Ant

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Answer 7

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Aug 23, 2006 7:03 AM in response to ant

Hi ant:

I hope Hardy does not mind my intrusion here..;)

Do you see an ajustment option when you actually try to print? It should be there once you choose File > Print > Epson Print CD. At that point there should be a horizontal / vertical print adjustment option.

I have the Epson R300 and there are options all over the place for page set ups and print ajustments.

Sue

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Answer 8

ant Author

Level 2

230 points

Aug 23, 2006 7:06 AM in response to SDIllini

Thanks for this Sue - Yes I do have that option. However, the adjustment only allows for up to 5mm. Unfortunately, the CD is printing off about 1.5cm so I need major adjustment!

Ant

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Answer 9

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Aug 23, 2006 7:55 AM in response to ant

I just checked my EPSON Print CD and there is a Page Setup item in the file menu. My EPSON Print CD is version 1.2.2A.
In Page Setup set to A4 and portrait.

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Answer 10

ant Author

Level 2

230 points

Aug 23, 2006 8:03 AM in response to Hardy Geer

Thanks Hardy - mine is version 1.4.0E. They must have changed it...

Ant

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Answer 11

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Aug 23, 2006 8:52 AM in response to ant

That sounds strange because Page Setup is a standard item found in all applications which print. EPSON Print CD can print on ordinary paper and you might want to print a label on paper for your records.

The following is from the Epson web site:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&info Type=Doc&oid=60202&prodoid=58654761
from the reference guide for the Stylus Photo R220 series under printing on a CD/DVD in Mac OSX
Pictures did not copy.
Selecting Advanced settings

You can select more complex settings using the printer driver.

Select Print on the File menu. The Print dialog box appears.

Click the Manual Print button to access the Page Setup window.

The following window appears, click OK.

Select Stylus Photo R220 in the Format pop-up menu.

Select A4 as the Paper Size setting.

Select Portrait as the Orientation setting.

Click OK to access the Print window.

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Answer 12

ant Author

Level 2

230 points

Aug 23, 2006 9:49 AM in response to Hardy Geer

Thanks Hardy - really appreciate the links to the Epson site. I've tried using the manual settings as you suggest, and I've certainly witnessed a vast improvement. Basically, it seems that if I alter the position adjustment slightly and then opt for a manual print, the disc is centred no problem. It isn't quite up to the edge of the disc - there's about a 2mm gap, using one of the templates from the Print CD app. Have you noticed this also - or does the image print right up tight against the edge of the disc?

If I go back and opt to just 'Print' from the first menu that appears after selecting File>Print, (i.e. not using Manual to print) the image is consistently about 15mm off centre - I've tried this on a dozen tests. However, using 'Manual Print' this isn't the case. I wonder if there is a glitch here in the latest edition of EPSON Print CD (V1.4), in that you seem unable to specify 'Page Set Up'?

I've also gone back to the excellent disclabel application. Here I find that if I change the 90% default under page set up, to 100%, the disc is also aligned correctly.

Thanks very much Hardy for taking the time to work through this one with me - much appreciated.

Ant

G5 2GHz dual, PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 13

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Aug 23, 2006 11:33 AM in response to ant

I'm glad I could help. I had the same problem only mine was in landscape and 6 cm off center.
The A4 and portrait settings should stick … that is what Page Setup is for. Too bad epson did not hire a Mac programmer.

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Answer 14

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Aug 23, 2006 12:03 PM in response to Hardy Geer

Hi Hardy:

Too bad epson did not hire a Mac programmer.

LOL!

Sue 😉

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Answer 15

Aug 23, 2006 7:56 PM in response to ant

I have an Epson R200 with Epson Print CD version 1.2.1E, so some of the settings/menu choices might be different. Having said that I can't imagine them being that different. One thing I am sure of is the paper size should be set to A4. I made the mistake of setting it to Letter size once and the printing on my CD was shifted as you describe. I can't understand why you would not have a Page Setup item in the File menu! I did look around on Epson's web site and found something they call EasyPrint, which talks about controlling print settings directly from the print window. It might have been automatically installed with your version of Print CD, which might explain why you have no Page Setup item.
Even if that is the case you should still be able to make the adjustments you need in the print window and get them to stick.

-Select File/Print
-In the print window, the pop up menu should read "Copies & Pages", from that select "Print Settings". Make sure the "Media Type" is set to CD/DVD.
-Next select "Epson Print CD", click on "Position Adjustment". There should be a box at the bottom right of the window That reads "Enter Measurements Directly". Right under that should be a check box that reads "Value Entry". Select the checkbox and you should be able to enter new values in the boxes that read "Top Space" and "Right Space", which will move the CD/DVD centering quite a bit.
-Once you have the adjustments you want, click "OK" and you will be back in the Print window. In the print window select the pop up next to "Presets" and select "Save" or "Save As" to save all of the settings you just made.
-Now when you need to print all you have to do is select the preset and you won't have to mess with all the settings again.

I hope this helps!

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