Print publishing software

[BobNaughton]

Can anyone recommend a print publishing software to create reasonably professional printing of text and graphics on to DVDs, case inserts, jewelbox inserts, and so forth, as well as standard printing needs. I have been using an entry-level program for years that I am not happy with. Just got a new computer and want to get better desk top publishing software, without having to use three or four other programs to get the job done.
I'm looking into print shop 23 deluxe, print master, and also Serif page plus X3.
The problem is, they don't specifically say they that they will print to a DVD. Just that they have

thousands

of templates. I'm sure they will probably all work, but I like to be sure before I purchase it.
I appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thank you

[CasablancaExpert]

Bob,

I have both Windows and Mac computer at my desk here -- I love using Pages software on my Mac for desktop publishing, etc. I use a freeware program on both computers called Open Office (http://www.OpenOffice.org) for other documents that have to be compatible with Windows Office (though I could also select the appropriate setting in Pages for this as well).

As far as disc labels, DVD album covers - I use Adobe Photoshop Elements (after my friend turned me on and got me started with that). I have also used a product called Cover Studio by another German company that is very easy to use (http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/ ... ___USD.htm) but I also use the free program that came with my Epson printer for simply labels (Epson Print CD). Probably more info than you wanted -- I am sure others will add their 2¢,

Regards,
Chet

[CKNewman]

I use Epson Print CD for the DVDs and Publisher for the cover inserts. I know that some people use Discus. Here's the website http://www.magicmouse.com/h_discus_detail.html
I believe they use a proprietary file format.

[flvideo]

Bob I use Epsons CD print program too for the disc and Photo Shop CS3 for the album covers. I also have printmaster gold, but I use it mostly for flyers and business cards. All work well. Bob...

[BobNaughton]

Thank you everyone, for responding to my post. I wasn't aware that you could use Photoshop to create a DVD label. I will have to look at the sites you guys put up there for me to look at. I did look at the discus site, and it looked pretty good. I also have been using Epson print CD. What I'm not happy about it, is its ability to create a shadow for the text you are using. There is too much separation between the main text and the shadow. It looks like I tried to make a shadow by printing the main text in one color, and then typing it again into another color as close to the original text as I could but didn't quite succeed.

I wanted to upgrade my existing software, from the 2001 version I now have. I was hoping to get one program that could do it all. I guess you can't always have what you want. Anyway, I appreciate everybody's input! Thanks again.

[flvideo]

Bob I have never experienced the shadow being too far from the text. In facc sometimses I'd like to have a little more seperation than the Epson program allows. One of my earlier Epsons had a different print program I think it was a R220 and I liked it a lot better. I seemed to have more control of the images than this one. I do a lot of still pictures and I love the epson printers but the software to print pictures sucks big time. I use the Microsoft program to print stills. I use Photo shop to edit them and the micro soft program to print. What Epson do you use? I am using an R380 and I also have a R280 thats still in the box. Bob...

[BobNaughton]

Hi Bob:

I am using an Epson R340 Printer. I purchased it mainly because it could print to DVD's which I needed. I was uing an HP Photosmart 1215 Printer until then. I have no problems with my Epson,s ability to print, although I dont have a digital camera, I jut make stills out of the Video's I take which of course is not on par with a high resolution digital image. I recently purchased a new laptop, but because all my files were on my old laptop, I find myself using the old one still. I wanted to get a more up to date printing program on my new laptop, because my old one is Microsoft Picture in Picture 2001 which is dated.

I was using the PIP for general printing, Epson Print CD for dvd labels, and Expressit something or other for Vhs, and then Dvd cases. I was hoping to install one new program on my new computer instead of using many different softwares to get the job done. This morning I called a company I saw on the website to ask them if besides everything it said it did, did it have a template to print to a DVD. He assured me that it would do anything I needed it to do, including curing me of any strange disease I might pick up

The product was Serif Pageplus X4. Cost around $100.00. His accent was definetly British. Man, those guys talk fast. I wish Ian Pearson was on the phone with me to interpret. I hope I didn't buy a "pig in a poke" but the deal's done. Now, soon I will have another new toy to play with.

[flvideo]

Hi Bob, I too used pictures from my video on my labels including vhs when I did those. I used a program called Label factory then and I still use it for mailing labels. It is good for that. I think it was for windows 98 but its working in XP flawlessly. I bought a digital camera about 10 years ago when they wern't too popular. It was a little HP point and shoot. The Zoom was limited and the flash was almost useless but it took good pics in good light. it was 5.3MP. 2 years ago I bought a Cannon 10.1MP and 2 lenses and a large flash. I paid a dear price for it, $1600 for all I got, but I paid for it on 3 jobs. I had done some church leauge football and soccer teams with the HP and made good money, and then I bought the Cannon and I have since made a good profit from it. I don't advertise the still work, the video is still my main stay, but I don't shy away from it either. You should get a digital camera. You would be surprised to what levels you might go with it. Of course I don't know wheather your video is a hobby or a business. That would make a big difference. Bob...

[Jeanton]

Hi Bob

I use a canon printer and software for label print but I know it is not available in the US for copy right reasons.
For printing covers my wife uses Microsoft Publisher.

As the other bob mentioned you should try to use a good digital photo camera for photo's the resolution is better and much clearer.
I first grapped stills of video but could not enlarge them to more tham 2 inches. Now I carry a video camera around that also takes 6MP
pictures just for cover photo's and when I see a good framed shot what I could use for the cover I take a picture.
Some times the 10 photo's that I take are better framed than the "Profesional Photographer" ones but that is just how you frame things.
As most photographers, think they can crop in post production we videographers don't have that option so our shot has to be framed perfect from the start.
Often I take a photo with the subject out of the middle of the frame to use for DVD label print so I don't have a hole in the subject.

[flvideo]

Hey Jeanton. Which model Cannon do you use? I have thought about trying a Cannon. I love the cannon Rebel Camera I have. Its really versital. Do you print stills with your Cannon printer? Also how is the expense of the ink. The Epson ink is expensive. Bob..