wewow.co.uk - Experts in CD/DVD Duplication, Replication and Eco-friendly Media Packaging

What are ISRC codes and why should you use them?

 

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code and is best understood as a digital ‘fingerprint’ which identifies your sound or music video recording.  ISRC codes can be embedded into digital and physical releases and allow you to sell your music on iTunes and Amazon, submit your tracks to the Gracenote Database and they also help prevent piracy and ensure that you automatically receive royalties.

ISRC codes are unique numbers which are embedded into music files during the mastering process.  Your finished master can then be sent for CD duplication or replication and the ISRC codes will be included on all your pressed CDs.  The ISRC codes will identify your music and track copying and distribution.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recommends that all music producers use ISRC.

ISRC codes for sound recordings in the UK can be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) and registration is free.  If you need any guidance on ISRC codes, Gracenote Registration or anything else related to producing your own music releases then wewow’s customer service team will be happy to help.

‘My burnt CD won’t always work’…how reliable is CD duplication?

This question was recently addressed on a CD replication blog.  Their answer?  CD duplication is unreliable and CD replication is the only means of producing professional CD copies.  However, with years of expertise in CD replication and duplication and a commitment to providing professional and reliable CD production services we wanted to answer this question ourselves.

Certainly duplication and replication are two very different processes, as we have blogged about in the past.  In short, duplication involves burning data to blanks CD-R’s or DVD-Rs whereas replication is a manufacturing process which produces CDs/DVDs comparable to those found in the shops.

Duplication relies on high-quality, professional production equipment in order to output reliable results.  The CD-R’s used in the duplication process are also vitally important as cheap discs will inevitably produce cheap and unreliable results.  Here at wewow, we only use ‘A’ Grade CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, which are duplicated by top of the range duplication towers.  Our duplication equipment is highly-computerized, meaning that any ‘failed’ discs are rejected and never reach our customers.  So it is extremely rare that our clients would receive a burnt CD which doesn’t work!

Of course, CD duplication has its limitations; it is more cost-effective on smaller quantities (below 500 units) and offers a quicker turnaround than replication, but the burnt data on the back of the disc can be seen and on larger quantities it is more expensive than CD replication.  Therefore, we always advise clients of the best solution to suit their particular requirements.

Printed CDs as high-impact marketing tools

Leaflets, posters, business cards, corporate brochures…all of these marketing resources are used by businesses to pass on their sales message to potential customers.  Yet, all of these materials are easily thrown into the bin by your customers without a second thought.  What is there to distinguish your leaflet from the many others given to potential clients at the same exhibition?  What makes your message more than just junk mail?  Not a lot.

  

Now consider handing a CD out to your customers – branded with your logo and containing your sales message or corporate brochure.  Pressed CDs provide added value to your promotional materials, customers are less likely to throw them away than a leaflet or business card and your prospective clients will be so curious about the contents of the disc that they will have to take it home and pop it into their computer.

Even if the disc ends up being used as a coaster when your prospect no longer has a use for the data, your brand will still be in front of them.

wewow provide all the tools and guidance you need to make branded CDs work for you.  Contact us on 01274 301410 for guidance on how to make an impact with replicated CDs.

What is the difference between CD/DVD duplication and replication?

The difference between CD & DVD duplication and replication is often a sticking point when it comes to ordering copied media.  It is important to understand that the difference between duplication and replication is not one of quality; they are simply different processes…

  

CD-R/DVD-R Duplication

Duplication is the ideal solution for copying data onto discs where the quantity is lower than 500 units.  Duplication is done by loading a master disc into a duplication tower which will then burn the data onto blank discs.  These discs can then be branded with ink-jet or thermal print if required.  Duplication is a relatively fast process, although it is affected by the amount of data being copied.  This means that duplication is also the perfect solution for fast turnaround jobs.  However, since the data is copied onto pre-manufactured CD-Rs or DVD-Rs, duplication is a less cost effective process than replication.

  

CD/DVD Replication

Replication is a manufacturing process which is used to produce pressed discs for quantities above 500 units.  A glass master will be produced contained your original data and this will then be used to create a “stamper,” which will be used for injection moulding the information onto foil.  The information is then protected by layers of polycarbonate plastic, lacquered and packaged.  This means that rather than ‘burning’ the data onto pre-made discs, your data is embedded in a manufactured disc.  These discs can then be printed using silk-screen or lithographic print methods.  As this is a manufacturing process, it is a more cost effective option than duplication and the cost decreases as quantities increase.  Although the lead time for replication is longer than that of duplication, once the machines have been set up it is relatively quick to replicate 1,000 discs or 100,000.

  

 

wewow offer both CD/DVD duplication and replication services and are happy to discuss with you the available options for your project.  If you would like any further information on the processes involved with producing CD’s or DVD’s, feel free to contact one of experts on 01274 301410 or sales@wewow.co.uk

How To Make Your CD or DVD Project Eco-friendly

Producing a CD or DVD project which is environmentally friendly can be a minefield with many different companies promoting their varied services and products as sustainable and eco-friendly.  Here at wewow, we believe in making it as easy as possible for you to go green so we have taken the time to put together a few tips to help you reduce the impact of your CD/DVD project upon the environment.

• Green CD and DVD Packaging
  CD and DVD packaging makes a significant contribution to the carbon emissions of CD/DVD duplication and replication projects.  wewow have responded to the environmental impact of disc packaging by designed a unique range of environmentally friendly CD and DVD packaging.  The WOW! Range includes the WowPak, WowWallet, WowSpiral and WowPromo products; providing earth friendly packaging solutions for projects and budgets of all sizes.
  Environmentally friendly CD/DVD packaging also adds value to a release as it is often bespoke and demonstrates a real commitment to the environment by the DVD or CD producers.
  

• Recycled Products
  There are a number of different materials used to produce eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging and paper parts, including using recycled materials.  Recycled materials can vary from recycled card or paper to recycled CDs and DVDs!
  

• Recycling
  Your CD/DVD replication, duplication and packaging supply may offer a recycling services for unwanted and wasted discs.  If you have any unwanted CDs or DVDs then please ask your supplier what they can do to help.  If they don't accept CDs and DVDs for recycling themselves, they will probably be able to recommend a recycling company that does.
  
  
• Environmental Policy
  If you're asking your replication or duplication supplier whether they will recycle YOUR unwanted CDs and DVDs it is also worth asking how they themselves dispose of waste CDs and DVDs.  Unfortunately, wasted discs are a by-product of the disc manufacturing and print process so if you are looking for a 'green' supplier be sure to find out how they deal with waste materials.  Eco-friendly companies will generally have an ethical statement and internal environmental policy
   and should be more than happy to send you a copy.
  
  
• Eco-friendly paper parts

Paper parts such as booklets, wraps and wallets can easily be produced from eco-friendly paper, such as FSC accredited or recycled stock.  In addition to the material used to produce the paper parts, look out for printers who use vegetable-based inks and low-alcohol or alcohol free printers.

If you're hoping to produce an eco-friendly CD or DVD project it is important to choose the right supplier, who is dedicated to the environment and will offer guidance and support every step of the way.