Printing custom covers - service?

[rybev]

I've joined a few of the custom cover forums that are around and found some great covers I'd love to use.
The only problem is that I don't have a laser printer and all the local printing services I've called won't do them due to copyright or cannot just print one cover without charging me £15-£20.

Does anyone know of any online service that will print a cover off for a reasonable price?

Or any other suggestions?

[in2blu]

I can't help you on recommending any online service but I print a load of custom covers, some for space saving and others to improve on the original cover. I only have an inkjet printer but I use glossy A4 paper, then trimmed with a guillotine. Now it does the job perfect for me but it mightn't be exactly what you're looking for. Thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

[rybev]

I've printed one on my own inkjet printer on good quality glossy thickish paper but it just looked like a bad photocopy. The black areas on the image were a bit patchy. It wasn't good at all.

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by rybev

I've printed one on my own inkjet printer on good quality glossy thickish paper but it just looked like a bad photocopy. The black areas on the image were a bit patchy. It wasn't good at all.

Was this on the the highest quality setting that your printer allows? Often the default settings are on the low end.

[blureviewobscura]

I've printed my own covers for the Back to the Future films as I hate digi packs.

These were done on a kodak inkjet printer and look perfect (and believe me I am as fussy as they come)

They are actually better quality than a couple of original covers on some shop purchased blu-ray releases.

I suppose it depends on your quality of printer plus the type of glossy paper used.

I plan to do the same for the Star Wars set

[lkmg]

DIY will be better than going to the printing shops. Cheaper.

[rybev]

Thanks for the responses, I'll take a look at my printer settings.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by rybev

Thanks for the responses, I'll take a look at my printer settings.

I think mine are set for Text and Image normally which is the middle setting so you'd want yours to be set for high quality photograph or the equivalent. On my Epson it's Best Photo and don't forget to tell the printer what type of paper you're using.

[rybev]

I've had a play around but still very poor reproduction.
I'm using Kodak glossy picture paper which according to the packaging is the 3rd best..... there is Kodak Ultima Picture Paper for long-lasting professional quality.

Should i invest in that?

I wish i could explain how my printing looks, it's sort of like it's been done on a colour photo-copier thats about 10 years old. Some colours good but the blacks are washed out and the small pictures that are on the back of the cover look a bit like they're out of a colour newspaper

[chip75]

Originally Posted by rybev

I've had a play around but still very poor reproduction.
I'm using Koak glossy picture paper which according to the packaging is the 3rd best..... there is Kodak Ultima Picture Paper for long-lasting professional quality.

Should i invest in that?

I wish i could explain how my printing looks, it's sort of like it's been done on a colour photo-copier thats about 10 years old. Some colours good but the blacks are washed out and the small pictures that are on the back of the cover look a bit like they're out of a colour newspaper

I'd check your nozzle and alignment settings as these are usually the things that hinder a good print-out. Also make sure the covers are of a high quality resolution. You could always scan the results and post them here, I'm sure someone with a bit of printer knowledge will be able to spot what's going wrong.

[Lleyton]

agree with chip75, make sure you are using Hi-Res images for best results, preferably 300DPI plus.

Are the ink that you are using originals or compatable Cartridge? ... what is the make/model of the printer.

[rybev]

The covers are what I've download off Custom Maniacs, I havent checked the resolution but just presumed they'd be right seen as they're designed for printing off.

My printer is an inkjet HP Photosmart C4580.

I'm gonna get some better quality paper and give that a go.

[rybev]

Here's a scan of what i've done.
It's not that light in reality, it scanned a bit lighter. The scan makes it look worse than it is but it's obviously not great anyways.
If you zoom in you can see that areas that should be darker or black such as around the eyes and the hair on the back cover photo's have gone a bit grey and a bit like a negative effect.

http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/a...verscan001.jpg

[Lleyton]

try running a nozzle check to see if there is any missing lines also might be worth running the head cleaning utility.

[The Driver]

Originally Posted by rybev

Here's a scan of what i've done.

Yeah, that looks shit.

Don't buy paper that's too glossy as it may stick to the case. Make sure you are printing from a good photo application, your printer is setup correctly but the most important thing is resolution and that you do not resize it or mess with it.

Anything I print for longterm use is usually medium-glossy and 600DPI if I can. My own scans are all 1200DPI PNG.

And if it looks crap on the PC it'll look like that when you print it out.

There's a massive thread over @ https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...rt-thread.html that you should read for tips from guys who are very good at printing.

If you are still stuck and do have a great image then try a printing shop. Just take the USB drive and he'll soon tell you how it will look. If it's untouched it'll look how it should when printed. Doing your own prining can be very expensive and time cosuming if you get bad results.

[doylie1984]

any chance we could see some pics of people covers & why have people made there own?

[welshgeeza]

I will try and post a few of mine when I get home
I just go down to my local printers and they do them on 170mm glossy I think costs me £1.30 each print but I have no issues at paying that

[urbeenjammin]

here's a couple of examples that i have in my personal collection:

[The Driver]

My last 2 -maybe best to click on the image as it's very small and you'll not get a true picture otherwise



I spent ages printing those off (both were 1200DPI and brought by 8GBDDR3 64bit PC/Epson printer to a standstill). They're updates to the German Blu-ray (from the UK SE DVD cover) and French Blu-ray (from the UK DVD). It's not easy to get a real feel for things by photo (or scan) but you'll know if they 'are right' when you print off something you're very pleased with. Those above look a bit washed out but I think they look great in the flesh.

And buy a cutting mat like http://www.ebay.co.uk:80/itm/130561673842 Home Bargains do an A3 one for £3.50. Also good set of knives. Poundland do a set for errr... a £1. They also do A4 mats which are good enough as long as you can be trusted with things other than sponges. Knives like http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WDXMZ0/ Exact same set is in Poundland for errr... a £1.

And take your time.

[welshgeeza]

sorry for the late reply but here are a few i have had done recently: