How does LightScribe work?

LightScribe is an optical disc recording technology that is used to produce laser-etched labels on specially coated recordable DVDs and CDs. It allows users to create direct-to-disc labels and special discs. There's no peeling, ink or smudging involved in this process as the labels are laser-etched and not printed.

LightScribe is an innovative technology and it uses specially coated discs for producing labels. A reactive dye is used for coating the surface of the disc and the dye changes color when it comes in contact of infrared laser light. The labels are burnt in concentric circles while moving in the outward direction from the center of the disc. With LighScribe, it is even possible to use text and images together for producing a label on the disc.

Usually, the data is first added to the disc and then, an end-user flips the disc so as to insert the disc with the label side down. The drive then burns the label on the disc. The burning process of the label is monochromatic and it's even possible to add more content to an existing label but it's not possible to replace a label with a new design. It's even possible to burn a label again and again on the same disc and the repetitive burning of label produces a high-quality label. The center of the LightScribe disc is an important portion of the disc as it contains a special code that allows the drive to determine the rotational position of the disc. This information is used to spin the disc at an appropriate speed so as to burn the label correctly.

Three different layout modes are available for burning labels -

Title Mode Title mode is the quickest mode and it's used for producing labels that use small amount of graphics or text.
Content Mode Content mode is used for creating borders around the center of the specially coated discs.
Full Mode Full mode is used for producing labels which use a full-disc image.