LightScribe Overview

Creating
a LightScribe Label

Use
LightScribe Template labeler

Use
Cyberlink labeler

Frequently
asked questions

LightScribe Overview

LightScribe is a disc-labeling technology that lets you laser-etch a label
directly on your disc. Creating professional-looking discs is easy: burn your
disc, flip the disc over, and then burn your label onto the disc. The same drive
that burns your data, burns your label.

A LightScribe-enabled DVD drive uses a laser to burn an image into the
coating on the label side of a LightScribe disc. The LightScribe labeling
system has no ink to smear, no paper to curl, and no sticky adhesive to cause
problems.

To create a LightScribe label, you need:

A LightScribe-enabled CD/DVD writer. LightScribe-enabled computers or
writers typically have the LightScribe logo  or the word "LightScribe" displayed on the drive
tray or computer itself.

LightScribe-supported disc-labeling software. This is often included with
your LightScribe-enabled computer or DVD writer. A list of available software
packages is here.

LightScribe System Software. This is similar to a driver and is usually
included with your LightScribe hardware. The latest update is available here.

Specially coated LightScribe CDs or DVDs (sold separately at major retail
stores or online). LightScribe discs are identified by the LightScribe logo
on the media package.

Refer to http://www.lightscribe.com/ for more
details on LightScribe.

Creating a LightScribe Label

Burning a label with LightScribe is easy.

To start, you need to run LightScribe-supported labeling software. The label
software often can be launched as a separate application that is included with
your data burning application suite. Depending on the labeling software you
use, you can create a label before or after you burn the disc content.

NOTE:  To burn a label, you must flip the
disc over and place it label-side down in the drive tray.

NOTE:  LightScribe labels are monochrome
(grayscale) only.

Labels can be a simple title, or you can get more creative by adding
backgrounds and images. The capabilities will depend on your labeling
application. The following step-by-step instructions will help you create your
first simple LightScribe label using various LightScribe-supported labeling
software. Refer to the documentation of each application for details on all of
the available features.

NOTE:  Specific instructions steps may vary
depending on the software version.

Using LightScribe Template Labeler to create a Label

Windows Platform

To get started insert media label side down into the drive then click
Start->All Programs->LightScribe Direct Disc
Labeling->LightScribe Template Labeler.

1. Choose a template

Choose a template from the left pane. The chosen template appears in the
main window (right pane).

Note whether the template you have chosen includes places for both text
and images, or only text, or only images.

2. Add text

If your chosen template includes a place for text, click Click to
add text. The left pane changes to let you modify text settings.

Type the text to appear on the label.

Change font and alignment settings as desired.

If the template includes additional text locations, repeat as needed.

3. Add images

If your chosen template includes a place for one or more images, double
click Click to add image. A Windows Explorer window opens and
the left pane changes to let you modify image settings.

Use the Windows Explorer window to select an image.

In the left pane, change zoom, position and orientation settings as
desired.

If the template includes additional image locations, repeat as needed.

4. Save, preview, and print

If you want to save your label design, click Save.

Click Preview and Print.

Click Print. The print time duration depends on the
content’s complexity.

When the label is done, turn it over to burn content such as music,
photos, or movies onto the disc.

Using CyberLink LabelPrint to create a LightScribe Label

Windows Platform

Click Start->All Programs->CyberLink DVD Suite.

The CyberLink DVD Suite will be started.

Select the "Utilities" menu item, from CyberLink DVD Suite.

Next, click "Print a disc label".

1. Select a Label Type

The first step in creating a label is to select the type of label you want to
print. You can select to create LightScribe label, a disc label, a mini disc
label, a front cover, back cover or a disc inlay.

2. Edit Disc Information

Add or edit disc information, such as a title, which will allow you to
recognize the disc. Add or edit the content list information to keep track of
which files you have added to the disc. You can add or edit this information on
the Edit Disc Information page.

3. Edit Layout

By selecting a layout, modifying the fonts, and using a custom background
image, you can create a more personalized disc label. You can:

Select a Label Layout

Add a Background Image

Add or Modify Text

4. Print

You are now ready to print your label with CyberLink LabelPrint. You can
print on one of the following media:

Plain paper: Allows you to print on any sheet of paper
your printer supports.

Label paper: Provides labels for easy printing.

Directly onto your disc: Does away with paper labels, but
requires a special LightScribe burning drive and disc.

Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to
create a LightScribe label?

To create a LightScribe label, you need:

A LightScribe-enabled DVD drive in your computer or LightScribe-enabled
DVD writer. LightScribe-enabled computers or writers typically have the
LightScribe logo  or the word "LightScribe" displayed on the drive
tray or computer itself.

LightScribe-supported disc-labeling software. This is often included with
your LightScribe-enabled computer or DVD writer

LightScribe System Software. This is similar to a driver and is usually
included with your LightScribe hardware.

Specially coated LightScribe CDs or DVDs (sold separately at major retail
stores or online). LightScribe discs are identified by the LightScribe logo
on the media package.

How can I tell if I have a LightScribe enabled DVD
writer or PC?

LightScribe-enabled writers or PCs should either have a LightScribe name or
LightScribe logo  on the drive tray cover or a LightScribe sticker
affixed elsewhere.

How do I create a LightScribe
Label?

After the data side is burned using any data burning software, the disc needs
to be flipped and reinserted into the drive tray with the label side down. The
LightScribe label is created separately using labeling software.

Where can I buy LightScribe CDs and DVDs?

LightScribe CDs and DVDs are sold separately; availability varies by
country/region.

Are LightScribe compatible Dual Layer high
capacity DVDs or DVD-RW available?

Although most LightScribe enabled drives can read and write data to Dual
Layer (DL) DVDs and DVD-RW, there are currently no LightScribe enabled DL DVDs
or DVD-RW available.

Can I upgrade my existing PC drive or
DVD writer to work with LightScribe?

Special hardware is required for LightScribe enabled drives, and
non-LightScribe drives can not be upgraded with LightScribe
capability.

Can LightScribe label in color?

Currently LightScribe technology creates a grayscale image, similar to a
black-and-white photograph.

How long does it take to label a
disc?

Labeling time depends heavily on content, hardware, media, and print mode
used. Typically for the first generation technology, for title only content, a
labeling time of 2-5 minutes can be expected. For full disc graphics in Best
quality mode, labeling times of 30-35 minutes can be
expected.
Why do labeled LightScribe DVDs look different from
LightScribe-labeled CDs?

The difference in appearance of labeled LightScribe DVDs and CDs stems from
the difference in how CDs and DVDs are made. DVDs have a second plastic layer,
which CDs don't have, that creates a kind of "plastic sandwich" around the
reflective layer on which data is burned. This additional plastic layer
separates the reflective layer from the LightScribe coating on the surface of
the disc. When you look at a labeled LightScribe DVD, you are seeing through
that additional plastic layer, which creates a three-dimensional effect.

What is LightScribe System Software?

The LightScribe System Software links the drive firmware with the labeling
application. It coordinates the functions among the different drives and media
combinations to ensure the best LightScribe labeling experience. The
LightScribe System Software is usually included with the LightScribe enabled DVD
writer or computer.

Why doesn't my drive recognize the
LightScribe media?
Why am I prompted to update my LightScribe System
Software?

Optical drives and media from the different manufactures perform very
differently and require calibration to perform consistently at their best. The
LightScribe System Software contains settings that help optimize the labeling
speed and image quality for the different drives and media. When new LightScribe
media is not recognized, the labeling software prompts you for a LightScribe
System Software update that contains optimized settings for the new media. We
recommend updating the LightScribe System Software whenever prompted.

What is generic mode printing?

Generic printing uses a set of standard non-optimized labeling parameters to
burn your LightScribe label. You can select this option and continue labeling
when new media is detected, and perform the required LightScribe System Software
update at a later time. However, you may not obtain optimized speed and image
quality.

How do I update or find my LightScribe System
Software?

Simply select the option to update the LightScribe System Software when
prompted by your labeling software. You will be automatically guided through
the update process or directed to a website for additional information.

You can also obtain a copy from:

http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/index.aspx