1. Anytime you plan on long time storage, don't use paper labels. The paper is very sensitive to humidity. It can contract and expand. If the paper expands or contracts, the glue holding the paper to the disc surface can pull away the lacquer & reflective layer. The reflective layer sits right above the dye layer. When the reflective layer and dye layer pull away, the information on the disc will be lost. (This was an experience the Smithsonian had with some archived discs stored in a cabinet/locker that was very dry).

2. Try to go with a true gold disc if you want to seriously archive. A gold reflective layer disc with Phthalocyanine dye has a shelf life of almost 300 years, compared to under 100 for a silver Phthalocyanine dye disc, and less than 30 for a Cyanine discs. Basically the metal in the silver disc can oxidize, and the gold doesn't, so no breakdown of the refective layer. Watch out for some gold discs that are just a gold screen print on the surface. MAM-A and Hi-Space both use real gold reflective layers. If you can't go gold, at least go with a silver Phthalocyanine disc.

3. In general, avoid writing on discs with Sharpies. Use water based markers. Ordinary felt tipped markers use solvents that can attack the protective coating on CDs and ruin your data or music. (You can tell by the strong smell of the felt tip whether it's solvent based). There hasn't been many reports of this actually happening, but long term storage simulation tells us this could be a problem down the road.