HomeDisc Label is intended for the creation of nice labels with which you can identify your discs. The program has a rather intuitive interface (perhaps, a little boring and colorless, though). It comes with three tabs, Format, Image and Design, which allow getting straight to the desired feature. Yet, should you have any difficulties, you can always consult the online help.
Let us start with what we can do from the Format tab. As you may have supposed, this is where you can pick the desired format. Luckily, it supports a very extensive list of formats. Thus, you can create various types of labels, such as inserts, jewel cases, full face and slim case inserts, for different brands, such as Ace, Avery, Canon, Epson, Memorex and Verbatim. Moreover, it is still possible to customize one of the standard formats to meet more specific needs.
The Image tab lets you add different kinds of graphic elements to your design. Fortunately, you can edit the background and foreground layers separately, which makes working much easier. Of course, one of the most frequent things users would like to add is images. In this respect, the tool supports importing of a wide range of formats, including such common ones as JPEG, TIFF, PDF, GIF, and EPS. What is more, there is a library with artwork you can use, although it does not come with as many pictures as other similar programs. In addition to images, you can also add other elements, like text, rectangles, ovals and lines. In the case of text, it is great that the program can save you some time by importing playlists directly from iTunes and Finder.
Finally, the Design tool lets you use a template. Most users would probably want to start by this tab, because it is where you can go when you do not have much design experience. In this respect, there are multiple ready-made designs conveniently organized into themes. However, this does not mean you cannot change whatever you think is necessary from the original design, specially by editing the text labels.
Of course, the obvious output of a program like this one is to send the resulting label to printer. Yet, you may also want to share it with others or even print it from another computer. In such case, it is good that the program can export labels in other formats, such as CD Label Maker document, PDF, TIFF and Postscript files. Likewise, it is possible to save your disc cover design as an image, including JPG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.
In general, although HomeDisc Labels is adequate for designing your own disc labels to use them at home or to give them as a gift to friends, it does not seem to support all that is needed to create professional labels. Besides, the product seems somewhat expensive considering that there are some online alternatives that let you do the same for free.
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