Will labels help protect CD's?

[Tim]

My brother has a DJ business, and made copies of some of his CD's for certain compilations. He bought a labelmaking kit and some CD's at the store, and after burning a CD, he does something on the computer that prints the label, which covers just about the whole surface of the CD. The kit includes some round spring loaded thing where you put the label on it upside down, then put the CD on top of it upside down, press, and the label sticks to the CD and is perfectly centered.

I was wondering if I should use something like this to help ensure protection for my CD's, even though the bottom surface is still exposed.

Is the reflective layer on the top or the bottom of the CD, or somewhere in the middle?

[Spinner]

I actually have a similar device to the one you mentioned, but that's not really relevant right now so...

The way I understand it is, the side of a CD which is normally labelled, i.e "Windows XP Pro" etc, is the side which needs most protecting, contrary to what people think. So covering it with a paper label, can only help protect it, but in retrospect, anything that is able to scratch through the top layer normally, will be able to scratch through a paper label just as easily.

Can't hurt though.

[Tim]

I just did some searching at yahoo, and several articles say that the adhesives from labels can attack the important part of the CD as well. I don't know which is better or worse in this situation. Labels or no labels.

I'm thinking the best solution is to burn a CD, keep them stacked on the original spindle thing you buy them on, keep them in the dark, and not let anyone touch them. And only write on the clear center part.

And only touch them on the center hole and / or the outer edge.

[Thrax]

If you mark your discs, use acid-free permanent markers. You can get them in art shops.

[Spinner]

I always buy thin jewel cases for mine, but providing you are sensible with where you put them, you should be fine. As long as you don't leave them lying around on gritty surfaces or start playing frisby with them, they'll be okay.

[WuGgaRoO]

im with spinner on this one...its just a little extra protection...unless he is spending a mind on this...it isnt worth it...but its not that much money...nor does it take that much tiome...so id say itll help marginally