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Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Document Part Number: 383416-001

February 2005

© Copyright 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The
only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express
warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing
herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe
First Edition February 2005
Document Part Number: 383416-001

Creating Disc Labels on Your

Notebook Using LightScribe

LightScribe is a direct disc-labeling technology that provides a
simple way to create precise silk-screen-quality labels for discs.
All you have to do is burn, flip the disc, and then burn again.

Creating a label uses the LightScribe-enabled optical drive of
your computer with enhanced disc-labeling software, and
specially coated CD or DVD discs (sold separately).

A LightScribe-enabled optical drive uses an optical laser to burn
an image into the thin dye coating on the label side of a
LightScribe disc. There is no ink to smear, no paper to curl, and
no sticky adhesive to cause problems. LightScribe discs are
identified by the LightScribe logo on the retail packaging and on
the inner area of the disc itself.

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Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Frequently asked questions

■ How do I know if I have a LightScribe drive?

It will display the LightScribe logo (shown above).

■ Can I upgrade my current DVD-RW drive to work with

LightScribe media?

You cannot upgrade your current optical drive to be
LightScribe capable.

■ What do I need to use LightScribe?

Burning a label with LightScribe requires three things:

❏ A LightScribe-enabled optical drive

❏ LightScribe-enhanced software

❏ LightScribe discs (sold separately)

■ How long does it take to burn a LightScribe label?

The time required varies according to the image mode (Draft,
Normal, and Best) and the surface area setting (narrow band
with curved text, medium band with curved text, or the full
disc surface). Using Draft or Normal imaging modes provides
a shorter burn time, but also results in a lighter label. In most
cases, the less area you use, the less time it takes to finish
burning the label.

When beginning the burning of the label, the LightScribe
software provides the estimated amount of time it will take

complete the label. A progress bar shows the remaining

to
time during the burning process.

■ Where are LightScribe discs sold?

LightScribe discs are available at major computer and
consumer electronics retail outlets, and through online
shopping.

■ Can LightScribe burn a color label?

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

2

Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

■ Can I use my PC for other things while I am burning a

LightScribe label?

Yes. LightScribe does not require your attention during the
label burning process. You can continue using your computer
for other tasks while the label is being burned.

■ Will the LightScribe image fade or darken over time or

with exposure to light?

LightScribe discs are optimized to ensure that the label
surface lasts. Some minor fading may occur over time. To
ensure the longest life for both the label and data, keep
optical discs out of direct light.

■ Is the LightScribe surface/coating safe to handle?

Yes, the LightScribe discs are safe to handle, like other
optical discs.

■ Can I re-do a LightScribe label?

The LightScribe label is permanent and not erasable.

■ What happens if I forget to flip the disc over before

burning the label?

The LightScribe software notifies you that the disc is not
recognized and prompts you to flip the disk over. The disc
must be placed label-side down in the optical disc tray.

■ Is the LightScribe disc hot or dangerous to handle

immediately after the label is burned?

No, the LightScribe disc is safe to touch as soon as the label
burning process is complete.

3

Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Tips and tricks

Before you begin, take a moment to review these helpful
suggestions:

■ Choose a design that fits your needs. The LightScribe

software that came with your PC has a number of
pre-designed templates for any occasion.

■ Use your own text, photos, or designs. Open your favorite

graphic design application, create your artwork, and save it in
.bmp, .tif, or .jpg format. From your LightScribe software,
select the file as a background and complete your label by
adding any desired text.

■ Make each CD or DVD a work in progress. You can add

new text and pictures (for example, more song names or file
names) to a previously burned label. Simply load the label
design you originally used to burn the label, clear the existing
text and graphics to avoid duplicate information being
burned, then add the new label information and burn again.

■ Preview your label. To make sure the label is exactly the

way you want it, use the Print Preview function (if available)
or print the label out on paper to see it before burning.

■ Cut down on your label burning time. Switch from Best to

Normal mode: you’ll burn fewer tracks per inch, which takes
less burn time but creates a lighter image. Or use the Title or
Content templates instead of Full Disc. Because LightScribe
burns from the center of the disc to the outside edge in
concentric rings, Title and Content templates save time by
confining your label to a narrower band. For the same reason,
using circular text instead of straight text can also speed up
burn times.

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Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

■ Go for contrast. A high-contrast photo or graphic stands out

better than a picture in mostly soft middle tones. Use your
software’s preview feature to see how the graphics you use
look on disc.

■ Keep using your PC. While the label is being created,

can continue to use your PC for other activities. The

you
LightScribe software indicates the time remaining to burn

design.

the

■ Avoid sudden shock or vibration. While the disc is labeling,

avoid any sudden shock or vibration to the PC.

■ If you are using a notebook, avoid sudden loss of power.

While the disc is labeling, keep your notebook AC adapter
and power cord plugged into a working electrical outlet.

Installing LightScribe software

Before you can create a LightScribe label, you must install the
required software.

If you are using a notebook, install the software included on the
HP DVD Writer disc in the “Required for Setup” bag that is
included with your notebook. Insert the disc and follow the
on-screen instructions.

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Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Creating a LightScribe label

Burning a label with LightScribe is a separate process from
burning data, music, or picture files onto a disc. Depending on

LightScribe software you use, you can create a label before

the

after you burn files onto the disc.

or

To burn the label after burning disc content, you must flip the

✎

disc over and place it label-side down in the optical disc tray.

Labels can be a simple title with a contents list, or you can get
more creative by adding backgrounds and images.

You can design and create the label with InterVideo DiscLabel

Sonic Express Labeler. The following sections provide

or
instructions for creating LightScribe labels

■ With InterVideo DiscLabel.

■ With Sonic Express Labeler.

■ After burning a disc with iTunes (available with select

versions of LightScribe software only).

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Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Using InterVideo DiscLabel to create a LightScribe label

1. Click Start, All Programs, InterVideo DiscLabel, and then
click InterVideo DiscLabel again.

2. Select a template style from the Template menu and click
Apply.

3. Double-click the title text box, if present, or click Add Text.

4. Type the text into the Rich Text Edit window, and then

OK.

click

5. With the text box selected (click the box once), use the Text
toolbar to modify the font, color, and other text properties.

6. Double-click the list text box, if present, or click Add List

add a list of contents to the label.

to

7. Click Add to add a row to the list.

8. To enter text for a list item, move the cursor over one of the
item boxes (Title, Artist, or Length); click the box; and then
enter text.

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for each item you want to add to the list
of contents.

10. Click OK when you are finished with the list.

11. Select a background for the disc label:

❏ Click the Theme menu and choose one of the provided

theme images. Click Apply.

– or –

❏ Click Edit Background and then click Change

Background to add a background image to the label.

Follow the onscreen instructions to browse and select an
image file. InterVideo DiscLabel supports .jpg, .bmp, and
.png image files.

If you use a color image or theme, LightScribe burns it as a

✎

grayscale (monochrome) image.

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Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

12. Click Add Image and follow the on-screen instructions to

browse to and select an image file.

13. Click and drag the image to the desired area on the label. You
can resize the image by clicking and dragging the sides or
corners of the image.

To remove an image from the label, click the image and then

✎

press Delete on your keyboard.

14. When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label
design, click LightScribe Print.

15. Click Print, insert the LightScribe disc (label-side down) in
the disc tray, and then click OK. The estimated time to
complete the label is displayed, along with a progress bar.
You can continue to work on your PC while LightScribe is
burning the label.

A sudden bump or vibration of the computer during the

✎

labeling process may affect the quality of the label.

8

Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Using Sonic Express Labeler to create a LightScribe label

1. Click Start, All Programs, Sonic RecordNow!, and then
click Express Labeler.

You can also open the Express Labeler from within

✎

RecordNow! by clicking Label Disc.

2. Make sure that Disc Label is selected in Step 1: Select
Project.

3. Click Tex t and then enter text for the Title and Subtitle.

4. For each line of content description, click New and enter text
for the information you want to include, and then click OK.

5. Select a label template by clicking Layout and choosing a
layout.

6. If desired, select a background by clicking Background.
Select one of the provided backgrounds or click More to find
one of your own images to use as a background.

If you use a color image, LightScribe burns it as a grayscale

✎

(monochrome) image.

7. When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label
design, insert the LightScribe disc (label-side down) into the
disc drive tray and then click Print.

8. From the Disc Label menu, select LightScribe 12cm Disc.

9. Select a Contrast Level and then click OK to begin burning
the label. The estimated time to complete the label is
displayed, along with a progress bar. You can continue to
work on your PC while LightScribe is burning the label.

A sudden bump or vibration of the computer during the

✎

labeling process may affect the quality of the label.

9

Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

Creating a LightScribe label with iTunes (select versions only)

iTunes works with Sonic Express Labeler to conveniently burn
labels on a data CD or audio CD from iTunes. The playlist you
create in iTunes to burn a disc is automatically imported into
Express Labeler so that this information is available for you to
use on your LightScribe label.

To use Express Labeler from iTunes, the data or music tracks in

✎

the playlist you are using must fit on a single CD.

1. Click Start, All Programs, iTunes, and then click iTunes
again.

2. Burn a data or audio CD with iTunes. When the burning
process is complete, click Ye s on the Create LightScribe
Label window.

3. Make sure that Disc Label is selected in Step 1: Select
Project.

4. Select a label template by clicking Layout and choosing a
layout.

10

The various layouts show different amounts of playlist

✎

information. Some show only the playlist title, others show
the playlist title and track names. You can edit the playlist
information by clicking Te xt to open the Edit Text window.

5. If desired, select a background by clicking Background.
Select one of the provided backgrounds or click More to find
one of your own images to use as a background.

If you use a color image, LightScribe burns it as a grayscale

✎

(monochrome) image.

Creating Disc Labels on Your Notebook Using LightScribe

6. When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label
design, insert the LightScribe disc (label-side down) into the
disc drive tray and then click Print.

7. From the Disc Label menu, select LightScribe 12cm Disc.

8. Select a Contrast Level, and then click OK to begin burning
the label. The estimated time to complete the label is
displayed, along with a progress bar. You can continue to
work on your PC while LightScribe is burning the label.

A sudden bump or vibration of the computer during the

✎

labeling process may affect the quality of the label.

Restoring LightScribe software

To restore or reinstall LightScribe software on your notebook,
insert the HP DVD Writer disc and follow the instructions on the
screen.

11