Currently, there are many printers on the market that can print directly on discs without using label paper or sticker labels. Direct disc printing has a major cost advantage since you don't have buy labels separately. Other advantages include a faster one-step printing process that creates a thinner, more durable label that won't peal or wrinkle over time.
If your printer has a 'Direct to Disc' feature then it likely came with a plastic disc tray for loading inkjet printable discs. Inkjet printable discs are available in CD, DVD, and Blu-ray formats and have a surface coating that absorbs ink when printed (just like paper). Most inkjet printable discs have a white matte surface finish and are suitable for printing high quality images and photographs. Inkjet disc technology has improved over the years and there are now waterproof printable discs (by Taiyo Yuden) available in white matte or a silver glossy finish. The silver finish discs produce a very unique metallic look when printed.
Aside from printable discs, it's important to have good software for designing and printing labels. The AudioLabel software offers a flexible solution for printing discs, cases, and inserts. The image on the right is the AudioLabel Print Dialog which helps you adjust the printer settings and alignment. The settings for printing on paper labels are different than the settings for printing directly on a disc. Therefore, AudioLabel stores these settings separately in the Printer Properties Dialog (shown below).