Great looking MiniDisc labels can be made at home! In this post I'll show you how I created the nice MiniDisc labels shown on this page. Links to the Photoshop template are at the bottom of the page so you can make your own labels too.
Getting these labels to properly fit your MiniDisc can be harder than it seems. Your best bet is to make a practice sheet where the shapes are solid colors. Print it, cut it out, hold it up, and see if any of the sizes need adjusting. It might take a few tries, so don't be afraid to use up a few sheets of paper!
| Measurement |
Width |
Height |
| Front |
1.407 inches |
2.077 inches |
| Spine |
2.360 inches |
0.113 inches |
If you have Photoshop you can download one of the blank MiniDisc label templates I created.
Insert the image you want to use into the top layer. Optimally, it should be high enough resolution that it covers the entire MiniDisc label. Now, with the layer of your image selected, hold down CTRL and click the icon (in the layers window) of the solid label shapes. A striped border should appear around the portion of your image. Click the mask icon (which resembles a small circle inside of a small square) in at the bottom of the layers window. This hides all of the layer except for that which fits the size of the MiniDisc label. You'll notice the layer now displays two icons, one of your image and the other of a black and white shape. There may be a chain link between the two images in this layer in the layers window. If so, click the chain link icon once to make it go away. Next, click on the thumbnail icon of your image and select the pointer tool so you can move, resize, and rotate the image to your liking. You can do the same process for the label beneath it. Finally, you can add some text and effects to complete the deal. Once you've completed your image, you're ready to print it!
The labels I've been making lately have been printed on Avery's White Full Sheet Labels #8165. I got a pack of 25 of them at OfficeMax for $9.99 (which equates to a little less than 40 cents a sheet). If you're interested in purchasing them, I recommend this brand and know I'll be buying more personally (that is, when I run out of 25 sheets (which is about 150 labels worth of paper)). The best printing settings for this type of paper are those that will place a little more ink on the page than normal. With my HP DeskJet 932C, I've been getting good results by printing with the settings normally used for textured greeting cards.
Cutting your labels well is the crucial step for making great labels. This is your make or break moment! It's incredibly important that you relax and take your time when you cut these labels. The right tools help a lot too. While it is possible to cut your labels with scissors, I strongly recommend you use a double blade slicer. The one I'm using is made for photos. A razor blade is helpful when it comes to separating the sticky paper from the wax coated base sheet.
Begin by using scissors to clip each label set out of the paper. Leave around half an inch around the actual image so you can touch the paper to avoid smearing the fresh ink. Look closely at the image and locate the crosshairs at the corners. If you focus on slicing the image just inside the crosshairs you'll get far better results than if you try to cut on the edge of the colored portion. It's a lot easier to line up a blade with a thin line than it is with a contrasting edge. When you're ready, hold your paper firmly and slice it. Try your best to get clean slices, and don't be afraid to shave off a small portion of the colored area to ensure that you don't leave any white on the edges.
Notice how I cut a 0.5mm border around the edge of the image in preparation for my final trimming. This greatly improves the precision you get when making your final slices.
Pay extra attention when you cut the corner at the top left of the MiniDisc label. This little cut plays a large role in what the finished product will look like. Since it's the only irregularity in the shape of the label, the eye is naturally drawn to it. The angle needs to be as close to 45º as you can get it. That little slice is a lot smaller than you think, so when you cut it don't take too much off! The size of the slice in the edge on the recessed region of your minidisk is about twice the size that your slice should be, since your paper will border slightly inside the recessed area. This step is really, really important. Notice how I line up the edge of my label with the corners of the squares on my slicer to ensure I get a clean, even, and level 45º cut on the corner! Hitomi looks scared in this picture.
Once everything is cut, and before you remove the backing, hold up the labels to the MiniDisc you'll be putting them on to make sure everything is perfect. The labels should fit cleanly, with a small amount of room between the label and the edge of the recessed region. If you're dissatisfied with the color of MiniDisc you had in mind while designing this label, you still have a chance to make a last minute change! I'm second guessing my own color choice here, as the blue seems to go better with the orange now that I look at the printed label.
Perhaps the most frustrating part of your project is separating the sticky paper from the wax coated paper backing. Some label paper has convenient little creased pre-sliced edges on the back to help you separate the two, however more often than not the stupid little things are never in the right place so you're left with really cool images that can be ruined in a second by clumsy separation of the paper layers. I found that a sharp razor blade helps a lot with this step. If you carefully wedge the tip of your razor between the two layers, you can separate them enough that they can be split by hand.
In the photo below notice how I'm using that little corner slice to my advantage. The corner method works wonders with the spine as well. Just be careful that you don't cut it!
Much like slicing your labels, this next step is a highly visible one that makes a big impact on what your final project will look like. I like to apply the big face label first because it's a little easier. It's really easy to stick a label on crooked if you're not careful, so put extra care into proper alignment. I found I get best results when I use one finger to line up and stick the top right corner of the label to the disc first, then slide a finger down to the bottom right corner, then brush to the left securing the rest. If you line up two corners (preferably ones far apart) you know you'll get a straight and even application.
When applying the spine, attach the leftmost edge of it to the correct place on the edge of the MiniDisc and hold it there with your thumb. Since it's such a narrow strip, a small portion of the sticky paper touching the plastic won't hold too firmly, so you can move it around until it's level to your liking. Once you're confident it's level, go ahead and press the other end down (gently) and rub your finger (lightly) from left to right to smooth out the stick. Next, to be sure this spine is stuck on firmly, put some pressure on it with something that won't smear it (like cloth, your shirt, or perhaps even another sheet of paper if you're careful). When done correctly, the spine labels can make your MiniDisc look awesome!
I originally wrote this article when I was a teenager, almost twenty years ago. I'm pretty embarrassed about the content of the original article now that I read it as an adult. In 2021 (at the age of 35) I rediscovered this article, edited-out the cringiest segments, and re-uploaded it to my blog using a redirect from the original URL. Articles like this are part of my history, a glimpse into my past, an opportunity to reflect on far I've come, and something that I think is worth preserving. -- Scott
