CD and DVD Archiving
Quick Reference Guide for Care and Handling
by the
National Institute of
Standards and Technology
Do:
|
1.
|
Handle discs by the outer edge or the center hole. |
|
2.
|
Use a
non solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of
the disc. |
|
3.
|
Keep
dirt or other foreign matter from the disc. |
|
4.
|
Store
discs upright (book style) in plastic cases specified for CDs and DVDs. |
|
5.
|
Return discs to storage cases immediately after use. |
|
6.
|
Leave
discs in their packaging (or cases) to minimize the effects of
environmental changes. |
|
7.
|
Open
a recordable disc package only when you are ready to record data on that
disc. |
|
8.
|
Store
in a cool, dry, dark environment in which the air is clean. |
|
9.
|
Remove dirt, foreign material, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by
wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the center of
the disc toward the outer edge. |
|
10.
|
Use
CD/DVD cleaning detergent, isopropyl alcohol or methanol to remove
stubborn dirt or material. |
|
11.
|
Check
the disc surface before recording. |
Do not:
|
1.
|
Touch
the surface of the disc. |
|
2.
|
Bend
the disc |
|
3.
|
Use
adhesive labels. |
|
4.
|
Store
discs horizontally for a long time (years). |
|
5.
|
Open
a recordable optical disc package if you are not ready to record. |
|
6.
|
Expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity. |
|
7.
|
Expose discs to extreme rapid temperature or humidity changes.
|
|
8.
|
Expose recordable discs to prolonged sunlight or other sources of UV
light. |
|
9.
|
Write
or mark in the data area of the disc (area where the laser "reads"). |
|
10.
|
Clean
in a circular direction around the disc. |
For CDs especially do not:
|
1.
|
Scratch the label side of a CD. |
|
2.
|
Use a
pen, pencil, or fine tip marker to write on the disc. |
|
3.
|
Write
on the disc with markers that contain solvents. |
|
4.
|
Try
to peel off or re-position a label. |
General recommendation for long-term storage conditions
For archiving recordable (R) discs, it is recommended to use discs that have
a gold metal reflective layer.
|
Archival Storage Facility - Recommendation for storing CDs and
DVDs together
|
|
Media
|
Temperature
|
Relative Humidity (RH)
|
|
CD, DVD
|
Less than 20°C (68°F)
|
20% to 50% RH
|
|
|
Greater than 4°C (39°F)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
A
temperature of 18°C and 40% RH would be considered suitable for
long-term storage.
|
|
A
lower temperature and RH is recommended for extended-term storage.
|
NIST
is an agency of the
U.S. Commerce
Department's
Technology
Administration.
|