Features

Before we look at the print software and test the unit, let's go over its features.  I will begin with the ribbons.

**click to enlarge**

Unlike your standard inkjet printer that may have a CD/DVD tray to support printing directly onto the disc, the Primera Signature Z1 is a thermal printer and uses specially designed ribbon cartridges.  A black cartridge is included in the retail packaging, but they are also optionally available in red, green and blue.  Thermal transfer is a much more ideal method for printing directly onto the top surface of your discs.  For one, there is no drying time as the ink is instantly bonded onto the surface.  This bond is also scratch resistant and waterproof and just looks and feels more like a professionally pressed CD. 

Primera primarily designed the Signature Z1 for the consumer market, but it will also highly appeal to a majority of small business users looking for a more professional means of distributing data.  This compact and inexpensive printer makes it fast and easy to permanently label discs in up to four different areas. The Z1 prints images and text directly onto the surface of virtually any CD or DVD.  This means that you don't have to buy the more expensive blank media with the inkjet printable top surface.  In fact, as we will show you a bit later, unbranded discs with a silver shiny top surface work best and happen to be less expensive.

Let's briefly go over its key features and functionality as provided by Primera Technology.

Signature Z1 prints graphics and text directly onto the surface of the disc, eliminating the need for stick-on labels and “Sharpie” pens.  Signature Z1 has the following industry-leading features:

• Easy to use
  Simply install the PrimeraPrint software and you are ready to start printing discs.  The software guides you quickly and easily through the process of importing graphics and formatting text.  PrimeraPrint will import BMP, TIF, JPG and PNG files and use any of the fonts already installed on your computer. PrimeraPrint will also allow you to curve text, center text and graphics and use custom bullet points and numbering.  This simple yet powerful program makes designing discs fun and easy for users and creates professional looking discs.

• Auto-Rotation
  There are other inexpensive thermal disc printers on the market, but they only print on one area of the disc.  This forces the user to manually rotate the disc for printing which is difficult to do with accuracy.  But Signature Z1 automatically rotates the disc inside the printer, producing a perfect disc every time.  Graphics and text are entered into each of the four print areas in the PrimeraPrint software.  Then, Signature Z1 prints each area, one at a time. The disc position motor inside the printer automatically rotates the disc 90 degrees to perfectly position the disc for printing on each of these areas.  This feature makes the Signature Z1 a quick, easy and affordable solution for disc printing.

• No more pens or “sticky labels”
  Many discs are titled using marking pens or labels.  Marking pens are quick and easy but not very professional looking and sometimes difficult to read.  Sticky labels are difficult to apply and can damage your disc or your drive if the adhesive fails and the label peels off. Instead, Signature Z1 provides a way for users to professionally label discs without the hassle of sticky labels or marking pens.

• Print directly onto CDs and DVDs – inexpensively!
  Signature Z1’s thermal printing is waterproof and extremely durable.  The thermal transfer ink will adhere to a wide variety of discs.  The Signature Z1 comes with one black ribbon.  Blue, red and green ribbons are sold separately at $19.95 each (MSRP). Each ribbon will print 200 print areas making the list price per print area just $0.10.

• USB Interface
  With the plug-and-play ease of USB 1.1/2.0, users will be up and running quickly with Signature Z1.  Simply load your disc and print!

Installation

Installation was a breeze on a Windows XP machine.  Keep in mind that their software will run on Windows 2000/XP only and is not supported on older operating systems.  The Primera Signature Z1 requires the Microsoft .NET framework to be installed on your system.  Conveniently, it is included in the CD and the setup program will install it for you.

Once you install the drivers and print software, the device is quickly identified when connected.  The device can be then found in Device Manager under USB controllers. 

Next: Bundled Software