AIC's EMG Optical Media Pens

Did you know that many pens commonly used to label CDs, DVDs, and other optical disks may cause permanent damage, making the disk unreadable? The Electronic Media Group's Optical Media Pen is safe for use on CDs and DVDs.

This marker has a felt tip and water-based ink. Other marking pens with fine points or rolling balls, as well as those with solvent-based inks, pose a danger to optical media because they may cause damage that interferes with a laser's ability to read recorded data.*

Your purchase of this pen supports future programming and education efforts of AIC's Electronic Media Group.

HOW SHOULD I USE THE EMG PEN?

Following the guidelines outlined in section 5.2.5 'Marking' of CLIR's Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs: A Guide for Librarians and Archivists (Fred R. Byers, October 2003), EMG recommends labeling only on the clear inner hub of the disk.

* Based on testing conducted by Media Sciences, Inc. of Marlborough, Mass., felt-tipped, water-based inks are safer to mark CDs and DVDs than roller-ball pens or solvent-based inks.