A: Creating a LightScribe disc is simple, but involves two separate processes. The data side is created using any traditional data authoring software, and if it's LightScribe enabled, the application may ask if you want to burn a label. It may assist you by gathering content to pre-populate a suggested label design and presenting the design onscreen. You have the option of selecting that label or making changes. If you are using stand-alone disc labeling software, launch the software and design the label onscreen by typing in the title information and choosing or importing graphics.

In either case, once you're finished with the design, remove the disc from the burner, flip it over, and reinsert it label-side down. Then click “Print” to send the image to the drive. After the label is burned, the disc is ejected and your LightScribe DVD or CD is complete.

A: LightScribe enabled software comes with a variety of backgrounds to help you create great-looking labels, or you can import digital photos, or your own images from Photoshop. There are three types of backgrounds to choose from - Title, Content and Full - and each refers to how much radial space is covered on the label. You can also choose between circular and straight text for your label.

A: Yes. LightScribe doesn't require your presence during the burning process. In addition, a LightScribe system will not go into sleep or power-save mode while it is burning a label.

A: No. Current LightScribe technology is not erasable. Once the image is burned, it's permanent. But software applications with LightScribe capabilities are designed to preview the image onscreen before moving forward, so unplanned or undesired images will not be sent to the disc for burning.

A: Yes. If you decide to add content later, it will be correctly aligned with existing titles and images.

A: The LightScribe system recognizes whether or not the disc is label-side down, and it will not try to write a label to the data side, nor will it attempt to burn data to the label side. If the wrong side is presented for either data burning or label burning, your disc will be ejected and a software message will be displayed.

A: Yes. The data side will work. But the software will not send a label image to a non-LightScribe disc, so no label will be burned if it is not a LightScribe disc.

A: The best way to clean the label side of the disc is with a soft, lint-free cloth. There are cleaning kits available on the market, or you can clean discs with water.

A: To ensure maximal life for both data and label, hold discs on the outside edge or through the center hole to prevent fingerprints. Keep discs away from extreme heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Ideally, you should keep discs on a spindle, in a disc sleeve, or in a jewel case, and then store them in a cool, dark place. And be sure to use polypropylene disc sleeves rather than PVC sleeves. PVC sleeves will cause images to degrade over time, while polypropylene does not adversely affect the coating or images.

A: Yes. To ensure the longest life, store unlabeled discs in a stack or paper sleeve, and keep them away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. Handle them as suggested above.

A: Residual chemicals on your fingers could cause discoloration of the label image. And some hand lotions-those containing polyethylene glycol and vitamin D-have been found to discolor the coating and image on a disc. To ensure maximum data and label life, always handle discs by their edges.

A: No. Although the terms “burning data" and “burning label" are standard in the industry, there is no appreciable temperature change involved in either process. A CD or DVD is safe to touch immediately upon being ejected from the drive.

A: Labeling time depends heavily on content, hardware, media and print mode used. Typically 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 20-35 minutes can be expected.

A: Use curved text for fastest label times. Since the LightScribe label is created through the optical drive's laser following circular and concentric tracks, the curved text fields that use as few tracks as possible will give the fastest print times. Straight text that spans across all tracks from the inner hub to the outer perimeter will require the drive to scan all tracks regardless of label content density.

A: You may be using outlined text. Here are some steps to change this text formatting.

1. The outline text font is default for the Artistic Text Tool from the left toolbar (the “A” icon).
2. Select the text object, and then on the top tool bar select the Brush Color (the little bucket icon), select black. This will fill in the text, making it solid.
3. Alternatively: Right click the text object, select Properties, and select the Brush tab. Pull the slider on the right side of the Brush tab window to the bottom to turn the fill black, and click ok.
4. Other font changes can be made from the properties window.

A: The program defaults to title mode at start up. This limits the content to only the inner-most area for fastest labeling. If you are interested in creating and printing a full disc label, you need to design your label in FULL MODE.

1. On the toolbar, select File.
2. Select New.
3. Select Empty Document (Full Mode).
4. Full mode displays the entire disc as white.
5. Note that if Title or Content mode is selected, the non printed portion of the disc is grayed out. Although you can add content to the grey area of the template, only content in the white section will print.

A: The print border option is selected. To unselect:

1. Right click on the text box.
2. Select Properties.
3. Select Pen Tab.
4. Click on the X button in the upper left corner to turn off the borders.