SIGNATURE Z1 CD/DVD CLR THERMAL PRINTER 200DPI USB 2.0 BLK RIB INCL review

The Primera Print labeling software is simplistic but good for text. With it, you can access all of your computer's fonts and import JPEG, BMP, PNG or TIFF images from anywhere, including programs such as Windows Paint or Adobe PhotoShop. If you want to rotate, stretch, or invert your images, you'll have to use image manipulation software such as Windows Paint, because the only image tinkering Primera Print allows is to choose from one of three dithering intensities: Threshold, a high-contrast version of the image; Error Diffusion, which renders everything in dots; and Edge Detection, which outlines images.

The Primera Signature Z1 has a maximum print resolution of 200 dots per inch (dpi), which is fine for text and simple line drawings but won't display photographs with much detail. Printed text was a bit ragged around the edges but still better than handwriting. In our informal tests printing on all four areas of a disc, it took about one and a half minutes for the Signature Z1 to print a mixed text and graphics label, about one minute for text only, and half a minute to cover half of a disc with text. The slower Epson R200, on the other hand, spent nearly three minutes to label a CD's full surface with graphics.

The Primera Signature Z1 comes with a one-year limited warranty, standard fare for peripherals. Technical support is free via a toll phone number for the first 30 days after your first call for help. Make sure to ask all of your questions in that first month because after that, service calls cost $10 each. Support hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, which snubs night owls and weekend users. Technical support via e-mail is provided free, and Primera's uncomplicated Web site offers software upgrades, drivers, manuals, and answers to FAQs.