Care and Handling of Optical Media (CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray disks)

Adhesive labels should not be applied to optical discs destined for long-term storage (more than five years). The label could delaminate over time and interfere with disc drive operation. The adhesive in some earlier labels has also been known to react with the lacquer surface. Any attempts to peel ... Read More »

Here is a list of “Do Not Do” practices for you to observe that will maximize the longevity of optical media you are handling. Touch the surface of the disc. Bend the disc. Use adhesive labels. Store discs horizontally for a long time (years). Open a recordable optical disc package if you ... Read More »

Here is a list of dos for you to follow to maximize the longevity of any optical media you may be using. Handle discs by the outer edge or the center hole. Use a non-solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of the disc. Over time, some marking inks may penetrate the ... Read More »

Scratches on the Laser-Reading Side of CDs and DVDs Scratches generally cross data lines or tracks on the disc, and how bad (deep and wide) they are will determine the extent of interference with laser focus on the data. Small or occasional scratches will likely have little or no effect on the ... Read More »

Marking and labeling a CD or DVD is an essential process in its cre-ation. CDs and DVDs, or their containers, are labeled in some form or fashion so that they can be identified and organized. When label-ing a CD with markers, the composition of the ink in the marker and the style or design of the ... Read More »

CDs or DVDs do not require routine cleaning. It is best to clean the disc only when it is absolutely necessary, specifically: before storing, when surface contamination is visible before recording, when surface contamination is visible before playing, to prevent surface contamination from ... Read More »