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

‘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.

What do you need before starting a CD or DVD duplication project?

So you’re ready for place your CD or DVD duplication order.  Here’s a quick check-list to help you prepare all the parts that your CD and DVD duplication supplier will need in order to start producing your order.

• Master disc
  Check your master CD/DVD thoroughly and make sure it is set up exactly how you want your duplicated CDs to be.  Your CD/DVD duplicator will make exact copies of the master disc so you must make sure that it runs smoothly and works on all the relevant media players.
  
  
• Artwork
  Thorough guidance on how to set your CD, DVD and packaging artwork up can be found on our website and in previous blog posts but here are a few pointers:
  
  Request artwork templates from your supplier and any other guidelines they may have – every supplier has slightly different specifications so its important to use your current suppliers templates to avoid having to amend your artwork at a later stage.
  
  Check your CD/DVD artwork thoroughly before sending it to print, including checking for spelling mistakes.
  
  It’s always a good idea to print out your artwork and make a quick mock-up of any packaging and paper parts you are ordering, to ensure that the design is laid out as you want it.
  
  
• Payment
  Ask your CD/DVD duplication company what their payment terms are and ensure that you’re happy with these terms before going ahead.
  If you are a brand new customer then they may ask for 50% payment before production starts and most suppliers ask for full payment prior to dispatch so be sure to agree this with your duplication company before placing an order.

Having submitted your CD/DVD master disc, artwork and payment to your supplier you can expect to receive digital proofs and confirmation of an expected delivery date.  Then sit back and wait for your finished discs to arrive! :-)

Designing Artwork for CD & DVD Projects – Outlining Fonts

Our design team often get asked how to outline or embed fonts on artwork for CD and DVD printing and why this step in the artwork preparation is necessary.  Here is a quick step by step guide to make your life that bit easier:

Guide for Adobe Illustrator:

1. Open up your artwork in Adobe Illustrator and select all (Ctrl+A).
2. Select Type from the menu bar and Create Outlines (Shift+Ctrl+O)

Guide for Adobe Photoshop:

1. Open up your artwork in Adobe Photoshop and make sure your template layer is hidden.
2. Select Layer from the menu bar and Convert to Shape

Alternatively, you can save your artwork as a .jpeg file.

I sent a PDF document so why do the fonts need to be embedded?

Our pre-production process means that all artwork is opened up in Adobe Illustrator and set up for print or for the production of screens.  If fonts have not be outlined or embedded and we do not have the font you have used then the text will revert to our default font.  By outlining/embedding the fonts or supplying a flattened image, your original design will be preserved and the artwork will be printed exactly how you intended.

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 [email protected]

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.