

The applicator itself consists of a spindle-like shaped device with a spring-raised centre that supports the hub ring of the CD. This was written back when 8.3-filenames were normal, and the “high resolution” graphics were all 150dpi. I’m sure rivals, such as Avery, would have had their own complete solution as well.Ī pressed CD is included with the software.
#FELLOWES CD LABELER KIT SOFTWARE#
Software requirements are PC or Mac, with Windows 3.x, 95 and 98 supported. The rear of the box elaborates on the possibilities, and tries to sell other labels which are available and compatible with the software. Interestingly, Neato is still around today, and their MediaFACE software is now up to Version 5 (for purchase or free with label order) and also available as a web Flash-based application with free demo online. The package is a kit, containing the software itself called MediaFACE, the applicator itself, and a set of paper stocks in photo-quality gloss and matte finishes for inkjet and (some) laser printer use. As expected, the disc in the illustration is a period correct Mitsui Gold CD-R – one of the most highly regarded blank discs of the era. However, since one of these kits showed up, donated to me by a friend, I decided to see what was in one of them.Īs you can see, the box itself is very colourful, and tries to make the whole process seem relatively straightforward, while advertising the availability of not just a label for the disc, but also inserts for the jewel case.

I had never used one of these kits in my life, mainly because I never really needed for my discs to “look good”, and I had been warned off of them because of potential issues of unbalance, added weight to discs, labels falling off and data layer damage.
#FELLOWES CD LABELER KIT PROFESSIONAL#
Kits were widely available, and sold even in department stores so that your “average joe” could now enjoy professional (ahem) results. The solution, of course, was an “adhesive label” style system, branded as Neato 2000 and sold by Fellowes (an office supplies company). Wouldn’t it be nice to have a way to do it yourself at home? The Fellowes Neato 2000 System But what if you wanted to make a small run of discs for a semi-professional purpose? It would not be economical to visit a replicator to do it, and it would take a while for them to get the job done. Inkjet disc printing, let alone affordable disc printers, were still many years to come. Printable discs didn’t really exist yet in the retail market, with thermal printable discs for replicators with expensive thermal printers and ribbons involved. These discs will have branding all over their faces and inserts. Discs are expensive, and individually wrapped in retail packaging. It’s the year 2000 and CD recording at home is a new development.
