Not sure which you need?

Usually the number of discs from the same master is the primary factor in determining which one is best suited for you. To replicate a CD or DVD requires many hours of glass mastering – preparing an exact replica of the physical master to then have stampers made so that polycarbonate pellets can be melted down and injected into the molds to form your disc and then have some nickel oxide spun on the disc and then have the finished discs silk-screened.

And if you only had 100 discs made, even by spreading it out on a per disc charge would make those 100 discs almost as expensive as pressing 1000 discs. The labor and materials for the glass mastering and the step up on the machine and testing is a lot easier to spread out over 1000 or more discs without causing coronary issues!

Duplication, where a pre existing round blank disc is placed in a duplication machine for copying, is much better suited for runs up to 200 – 250. You do pay more per disc for short runs compared to replication but the overall price is less.

Which is better?

Usually this is a question asked by our audio clients who are concerned about the sound quality of duplication.

We do have clients who insist on only doing replication. What makes a CDR or DVDR able to be copied is also what makes them easy to be damaged when compared to a replicated disc. Not that a replicated disc is indestructible by any means, this is all relative.

Also, depending on how fast your discs are duplicated plays a part. CDMaker duplication for audio CDs is set to 16X – no faster. This is typically lower than most duplication facilities who are more interested in scheduling vast numbers of discs rather than a lesser number of better sounding discs.

Also some CD players have a hard time with different media – the brand of the blank disc – and it can be a high end automobile that spits out your duplicated disc. While duplication and replication has standards it must meet in order to be an audio CD, CD players are not held to the same standard – they can use any set of standards for playback which may not be a full range of Red Book Audio.

Best bet is to talk with you representative and tell them what you need, what your concerns and priorities are so they can provide you with a complete range of option so you can make an informed choice.

We get a lot of questions about graphic design for CDs and we came up with a few ideas of questions to discuss with your designer as you evaluate who will be able to do the best job for you.

Whenever you’re interviewing graphic designers for CD projects – its a good idea to clarify a few things before you begin. Sometimes you could find out somethings further down the road that would have helped you save time & money earlier on had you known.

This list is by no means comprehensive – you may have others – these will help get you started.

1. What programs will you be using?

Expect to hear answers like – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. Answers like Word or Corel Draw – are indicative of a difference type of publishing than what you need.

2. Do you typically design for websites or printing presses?

If they don’t understand why they would be asked this – typically they design for websites. What makes artwork work technically the best for web is exactly the opposite of printing presses. What you need is high resolution 300 dpi, CMYK artwork, unflattened and in layers. These types of files will not only allow you to print better quality they allow for future changes without you having to go back to the initial designer for simple edits or additions.

3. Will you be able and willing to provide to my CD printing company high resolution, unflattened, native layered files?

This is important to ask. Graphic designers hold differing view on who actually owns the native files. Yes, sometimes they believe you own what comes off the press but that they own the digital files. Its not rude to ask and its not rude if they tell you that they believe they own them. Ask them what it would take to obtain ownership and usually that’s a dollar amount – just consider that when you determine your budget. And get it in writing if you hire them BEFORE you give them a deposit check.

FYI – Any graphic work that CDMaker does for you is considered to be your property so you have full and unfettered access to native files – just ask for a backup when you order so its just the time and materials cost to make one for you.

4. Will you be using templates to set up the artwork?

This is a huge one – if they just make one up or recycle one from another manufacturer – you could be looking at additional time. Tell them that you expect them to use the proper template(s) and if they don’t do so they are responsible to adjust artwork to fit the proper template. Again, its just that you are clarifying your expectations. If you don’t mind being charged by your manufacturer or printing house  for the extra costs to adjust artwork files – then you don’t have to have this conversation.

5. Will I be given a complete set of backup files – all support images, all fonts, all native files at the end of the project?

This is again a clarifying question. If they say they will keep it on their harddrive- that’s great but ask for a physical backup of the native unflattened files and all the source images and fonts on a disc so that if anything happens to them, their computer, their harddrive, their work situation, their living situation, you have a back up.

6. If a logo design is part of the project – will the design be formated so that I can use it in black and white or color, or on any colot background or will it require a white box around it?

This is an important question – sometimes its easy to design a logo that work for the color of the immediate layout but when you need to put it on your facebook page or tshirt or business card, it doesn’t work as easily. Again, this is a question that clarifies. If you want it to have maximum flexibility for you – ask this question in the beginning of your relationship.

7. Are there any design concerns if you want to use the artwork or a portion of the artwork for t-shirts or display banners or other promotional materials which I may need the artwork larger?

Sometimes you may have a need for artwork to be larger than what it was originally designed to be. Sometimes because of how the artwork was designed it will look really bad if you just enlarge it. That’s why photoshop can be a limiting choice. Its a vector/non-vector issue. What’s that? Vector is better to go from small to large since it sets up an outline for text or images and then fills in instead of stretching dots (non-vector) from original size to larger which will pull dots further apart which kills the resolution of your artwork. Resolution affects how clear it is to the eye after its been printed.

Again, these are just some questions that will lead to a more complete discussion with your graphic designer. In turn this will helpyou be able to better assess how much it will cost you not just in terms of immediate outlay. This obviously is written more from the angle of having your CDs or DVD published but it lends itself to every situation where you might need the help of a graphic designer.

What questions have helped you? Please feel free to share below or let me know if these questions have helped you talk with your designer.

Well, its official – the truck is coming this week and we’re heavy into boxing things up and getting ready.

During the week of Dec 27th CDMaker will be focused on moving from the current location to a new office that is being painted as I write this.

Starting Jan 3, 2011 – you can find CDMaker at:

Our phone numbers and website will remain the same – only the mailing address will be different.

Our mail is going to be forwarded for a couple of weeks as we communicate our new mailing address to our clients and everyone with whom we do business.
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CD DVD Duplication Replication

It can be a jungle out there if you’re looking for information on cd dvd duplication replication or whatever you need in relation to your disc project. Which one is best for you or even what are the differences can be an education in itself before you even choose which duplication service to trust.

CD DVD Duplication Replication glossary

Duplication

The content is recorded onto CD-R & DVD-R discs from your supplied disc (CD-R or DVD-R). Duplication is used for all quantities, large and small, and offers the fastest turnaround. This is CD DVD duplication, replication is different.

Replication

Discs are pressed from a glass master that is made from your supplied disc (CD-R or DVD-R). Replication requires extensive technical setup and is only used for quantities of 500 & more.

Please contact us for assistance if you are not sure which process, duplication or replication, is best for you. We’ll be glad to help! Read more about how CDs work.

Graphic Art & Proofing Terms

Bleed

The extra amount of that your art image extends beyond the trim edge of your artwork.

CMYK

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black

the four primary colors used to generate full color press, or high quality, printing.

Proofing

Once your artwork is ready for duplication or replication, a sample view, called a proof, is emailed to you for approval. The process of receiving and approving proofs is called proofing. Once your proofs are emailed to you your project is on hold until your approval is received.

RGB

Red, Green & Blue, the primary colors used to create images for viewing on a PC monitor.

Resolution

Image density measured in dots per inch.

Packaging Terms

Amaray

Case standard DVD case.

Cardboard Sleeve

folding sleeve with a pocket to hold the disc.

Wallet

opens like a 4 panel insert.

Clamshell

lightweight plastic case, sometimes called a c-shell case from it’s appearance.

Digipak

similar to a cardboard sleeve but it includes a tray to hold the disc rather than a pocket.

Insert the removable sleeve stored in the jewel case lid.
2 panel insert 1 page with a front and back, no folds.
4 panel insert 2 pages on each side, 1 fold.
6 panel insert 3 pages on each side, 2 folds.
8 panel insert 4 pages on each side, 3 folds.
10 panel insert 5 pages on each side, 4 folds.
Booklet insert opens as a book and contains a minimum of 8 panels.
Jewel case a typical plastic Compact Disc case.
Panel A section of an insert folder between two folds or between a fold and a trimmed edge. One panel is considered to be two pages, a front and back for each.
Spindle cylinder shaped case for holding large quantities of CDs.
Sleeve paper envelope fitted for CDs with a clear window on the front.
Slimline half the thickness of a standard jewel case. Slimlines can fit an insert but not a tray card.
Tray card the permanent page on the underside of the jewel case with a spine for labeling the CD.

Printing Terms

The first number indicates the color of the front. The second number indicates the color of the back.

0 = no print, 1 = one color & 4 = full color.

For example, a 4/4 (4 over 4) four panel insert package would include a four panel insert with full color printing on the front & back.

4/0 Indicates full color print on the front and no print on the back.
4/1 Indicates full color print on the front and one color print on the back.
4/4 Indicates full color print on the front and full color print on the back.

Over& Under Run The number of units an order is over or under

REPLICATION On-Disc CD Printing
Offset The superior on-disc print process resulting in improved images, skin tones, full color graphics and text. Replication on-disc print is printed on a shiny silver disc face. So if you what any part of the disc to be white – you need to include it in your artwork and at the very least put in on your order form and speak to your rep about it.

Screen The on disc print process using mesh screens and stencils.

CD DVD Duplication Replication

As you can see CD DVD duplication, replication, can be as simple as what you do at home OR as sophisticated as what a major record label or publisher  does to release a project.

CD DVD Duplication Replication

IF you have any specific questions about how best your project would be best to go -duplication or replication, please call 800-678-1998.