The boxed CD Labeler - Deluxe Edition (CDL) contains all the items needed to create professional, stunning CD labels. The package includes, aside from a CDL-software CD and a User's Guide, useable samples of various labels and two sturdy plastic applicators which greatly simplify pasting labels on CDs. CDL may be thought of as combination of graphic-handling and word-processing software (both first class), tailored to the circular disk layout of a CD.

Now one might ask why one needs a fancy CD labeler when one can slap any sticky label on the CD and scribble the software's title on the label (as I and many friends have done). The answer is, first, that if it's important that a label carry a catalog of the various items contained in the CD (like songs on a music CD), scribbling 15 names neatly on a homemade label doesn't generally work out satisfactorily. Moreover, if CDs are to be given as gifts, scribbled labels are out. But, in total, what should be understood about making any kind of CD label, is that one can make it to look both professional and beautiful with CDL, easily ... probably as easily as making the scribble kind.

By the way, those who have a need for CD labels, viz. those who have CD burners, have label software which is provided with the burner. I've tried a couple of these freebees, but stopped using them. I could not get many simple-text segments to fit properly around the CD label, and also I couldn't place and manipulate Graphics well around the label area.

System requirements for CDL are: PC 486 +; Win 95 +; 16 MB RAM (64MB Win 2000); 64MB HD. The installation (which was straightforward) I chose took 41.1MB on my HD for the basic software files with graphic and other backups, to be used as required, remaining on the CD. The CDL website offers label supplies, a Design Center with some new label designs, a free, 15 day trial, software download, and a tutorial for creating one's own label. The excellent User's Guide also contains tutorial sections on creating labels by the use of a Label Wizard.

The CDL software contains a wealth of backgrounds, photos, logos, and clip-art, all easily manipulate-able for fit around the circular CD area. A wealth of text effects also is available to be squeezed, and stretched and shaped for artistic effects. In addition, the software allows one to use one's own texts or graphics (from files or Twain connections).

One of the most delightful utilities contained in CDL is called Playlists. A playlist lists the contents of an audio CD. The beauty of using Playlists is one doesn't have to type the musical contents on to a label; instead one simply inserts the CD into its drive and CDL does the rest. CDL flows the printed playlist into the label, neatly. Or one can custom design a playlist for one's custom-designed CD.

One thing more. CDL contains a Template Creation Wizard, which can be used to make labels having shapes other than that for a CD. For example, I made a page full of labels that fit a 3 1/2 in. floppy. Aside from the over forty different label templates available in the wizard, one can produce one's own format.

The CD labels get printed on standard sheets of peel-off pre-cut labels, which are pasted on the CDs. I made many excellent CD labels for both data and music CDs. What I can say about the ones I made is - NO PROBLEM.