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

Using QR codes to add value to a music CD release

Add interactive, bonus content to your CD or poster by using QR codes.  This post is part of a series by wewow, helping you to optimise your CD or poster artwork using interactive QR codes.

Maximise your CD artwork and packaging

If you’ve decided to avoid printing hundreds of CD booklets to accompany your CD packaging, perhaps because of budget or environmental concerns, you may find yourself struggle to fit all the information you want onto your CD and packaging.

This is where QR codes come into play; include a QR code on your CD artwork and your fans will be able to quickly scan the barcode and get access to bonus information about the CD and the band.  This might be lyrics for the CD tracks, tour dates or even a pre-composed tweet so that your fans start to spread the word!

Make the most of your gigs

Live music is an important opportunity for you to create new fans and get them hooked on your music.  There are a number of ways that you can use QR codes to encourage your fans to interact with your band at gigs.  By printing your QR code on large posters displayed around the venue you could;

• Link a QR code to song lyrics so that your new fans can sing along.
• Allow fans to buy your latest CD or download on the spot.
• Get fans to tweet about how good the gig was!

These are just a few suggestions as to how QR codes can be used to create new fans, get your music heard and add value to your CD releases and gigs.  All you really need is a bit of creativity and the possibilities for using QR codes will be endless!

If you need a helping hand adding QR codes to your CD artwork, CD packaging or posters contact wewow and we will be happy to help with QR code generation and artwork placement.

What is a QR code?

QR codes are a fantastic way for your band to add interactivity to your EPs, albums and even to your gigs!  This is the first in a series of blogs by wewow, aiming to help you use QR codes to add value to your CD releases.

What is a QR Code?

A QR code is a matrix barcode which can be read by camera phones; some phones now come with a QR barcode reader whilst others allow you to download a special app for the job.

A QR code can contain all manner of data including;

Link to a website

Bookmark a website

Make a phone call

Send an SMS/Email

Google or Bing Map

Youtube Video

Tweet on twitter

The possibilities for using QR codes to allow your fans to interact with your CD or poster, by linking a code up to bonus content and printing it on your artwork, are endless.

QR codes are not a new phenomenon (they were invented in 1994 by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave), but the possibilities are yet to be fully explored by bands and musicians.  That’s why we are offering free QR code generation and artwork placement this month – just contact us to find out more! See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_Code for more info.

10 Bands, 10 Eco-Friendly WowWallets, 10 Minutes

wewow are offering bands the chance to win eco-friendly CD packaging for their band, to mark the environmental awareness day of 10:10:10.

 

Bands and musicians can enter the competition via wewow’s specialist eco-friendly packaging website; weEco.co.uk, by simply uploading their artwork with a short registration form.  Ten lucky bands will then be picked at random and will receive 10 WowWallets printed on recycled or salvaged board.  The wallets are ideal for limited edition releases and reduce carbon emissions by over 13%, when compared with a CD jewel case.

 

The 10:10 campaign is a ground-breaking initiative which is raising awareness of environmental issues and encouraging individuals, companies and organisations to cut their carbon emissions by 10% in the next year.  wewow support the 10:10 campaign and will be using the 10th October 2010 to encourage the music industry to cut their carbon emissions by over 10% by choosing eco-friendly CD packaging instead of plastic packaging solutions.

DIY Promo CD Packaging

Packaging a promo CD can be a challenging task when you’re working to a tight budget.  High-quality, original and affordable CD packaging for short-run promo CD’s is hard to come by.  This has led to a growing trend towards ‘Do It Yourself’ CD packaging.  The results are creative, resourceful and highly original.

 

However, the task of creating your promo CD packaging is no easy feat and buying packaging materials to make up yourself can actually end up costing a great deal more than you anticipated.  Wewow have worked hard to come up with a solution to make it easy for bands and artists to create their own CD packaging and the result is an easy to use DIY package with endless scope for creativity.  Best of all, wewow’s DIY package is eco-friendly!

 

 

DIY promo CD packaging can now be ordered online at http://www.weeco.co.uk/diy-cd-packaging

 

You will receive everything you need to package the high-quality printed & duplicated CD’s produced by wewow and the results are guaranteed to WOW your fans!  We’d love to see your creations so please send us a quick snap of your finished package and we may even feature it on the wewow blog!

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.

Life Cycle Assessment of wewow’s WowWallet reveals potential for huge carbon savings.

 

wewow launched the unique WowWallet concept in 2009, meeting customer demands for eco-friendly CD and DVD packaging.  Since then, wewow have strived to constantly improve the sustainability of the WowWallet in order to provide their customers with the most environmentally CD/DVD packaging solution possible.

This year wewow commissioned a life-cycle-assessment of the CD and DVD WowWallet designs to ascertain the carbon emissions of the WowWallet and provide customers with a reliable comparison between the plastic CD Jewel Case and DVD Case and the WowWallet.

The findings of the LCA were astounding with a massive 244KG of carbon being saved for every 1,000 CD WowWallets that are used instead of the plastic jewel case.  Likewise, it was demonstrated that the DVD case reduced carbon emissions by a whopping 240KG on a run of 1,000 DVDs, when used instead of the DVD case.

The potential impact upon the entertainment and music industries is astonishing; potentially 2803.7KG of CO2e could be saved if 10% of the 115 million CDs sold in the UK annually were packaged in the WowWallet.  If the entertainment industry takes heed and packages just 10% of the DVDs sold in the UK annually, the potential carbon savings are as high as 4884KG CO2e.

Therefore it is clear that if the optical media industry is committed to reducing the environmental impact of physical CD and DVD release, there must be a shift away from plastic CD and DVD packaging.  In its place card based packaging will provide the appropriate protection and presentation of CDs and DVDs whilst minimizing the impact of disc packaging upon the environment.

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 use custom printing to make your discs stand out from the crowd

So you’ve made the decision to use pressed and printed CDs or DVDs for your next marketing promotion or CD release.  Did you know that there is much more available than standard full colour printing?

 

Many suppliers  offer bespoke CD/DVD printing options and often there is only a minimal difference in cost.  So why not create something unique…

 

 

• Pantone Colours
  You may already be aware of the benefits of using pantone colours with silk-screen print.  However, there are many unusual spot colours which are not often utilized.  Have you considered using metallic pantones to add that extra sparkle to your printed media?  Or perhaps you want to make sure your printed discs can be spotted from a far, in which case fluorescent pantones are the perfect option.  The possibilities really are endless and the wewow team are always on hand to offer guidance and inspiration!
  
  
• Selective White Base
  Although replicated CDs and DVDs are often printed with a standard white base, your design can be printed onto a selective white base for no extra cost.  This allows the silver base of the disc to shine through and create a real contrast between your bold artwork and the base of the disc.  wewow have prepared artwork guidelines to help you to set your artwork up in this way, so it really couldn’t be easier.
  
  
• Coloured Discs
  So it’s not just unique print options we’re talking about, the disc itself can be supplied in a multitude of colours.  There’s no better way to make your discs stand out from the crowd than by printing your design onto an orange, pink or even gold disc!
  

Don’t forget to make the most of  bespoke packaging - to compliment your unique printed discs wewow offer a range of bespoke, eco-friendly packaging, the perfect way to add the finishing touches to your project.

 

 

If you’d like further guidance on the printing and replication of optical media discs please contact wewow on 01274 301410 or [email protected]

8 tips for creating eye-catching disc artwork

As we all know, first impressions are important so whether you’re using discs to market your company, promote your band or generate interest in your latest product, it’s important to make a good first impression!

An eye-catching design can add extra impact to your CD or DVD so wewow have put together a few tips for creating unique and creative artwork…

1. Think about the impression you want to make
Do you want your discs to look creative and unusual or is it important that the discs look simple and understated? The most important thing is to create a design which suits your brand and the product or services which you are trying to promote.

2. Make the most of blank space
Leaving the white or silver base of the disc visible is a great way to break up your artwork and ensure that the disc doesn’t look too busy. Why not consider using a selective white base? This is a tool not often utilized, so it’s a sure fire way to grab people's attention.

3. Make your logo or brand name stand out from the crowd!
So you’ve got their attention? Now you need to make sure your potential customer knows who you are! Make sure your logo stands out and that they are left with a lasting impression of your brand. If you want customers to purchase your discs, strong branding is essential.

4. Copyright
Avoid the temptation to copy images from the internet. This might seem like a quick solution but the quality wont be great (web images are 72dpi but a resolution of 300dpi is required for print!) and more importantly, it is illegal. Make sure you get permission from the owner or use original images.

5. Consider using bespoke packaging
If you do decide to go with a more unusual form of packaging, create a design that utilizes the uniqueness of the package. Eye-catching packaging deserves eye catching artwork, so make sure you make the most of it!

6. Get a second opinion
Ask your colleagues, family and friends of a second opinion, a fresh set of eyes is always useful and they may think of ways to make the design even more striking.

7. Ask wewow for help
If you do find you need a bit more guidance or a few more ideas to get you started, speak to our team of designers who deal with this kind of design work every day. They’ll be able to give you advice and help you create the perfect artwork.

8. Think outside the box!
The key to all of this is to be original and imaginative! Use metallic or fluorescent pantone colours, selective white bases, matt finishes…the possibilities really are endless and more often than not you won’t even have to pay an extra cost to create a completely unique design.

 

How to plan your next album release!

So the fun part is over, you’ve recorded your tracks and now you’re ready to produce the finished album! There are a few things to deal with before you can get ready for the big launch party, but we have good news…wewow are here to help!

Having dealt with hundreds of bands, wewow understand what a minefield planning a CD release can be! Excellent organisation is essential to a successful album launch and that’s why we’ve put together a few handy tips to help you plan your next release!

Manufacturing License

It is important that you obtain licenses for any copyrighted material, or cover versions, you have used on your CD. If the material on the CD is entirely your own work, you do not require a licence. You must contact the Mechanical Right’s Protection Society (MCPS) in order to obtain a licence and we would advise that you contact MCPS as early as possible, as it can take a few weeks to obtain a license. Unfortunately, wewow can’t obtain licenses on your behalf, so you will need to contact MCPS directly.
wewow just require you to sign our indemnity form in order to confirm that you have the rights to publish the material on your CD – this means that you can avoid the whole MCPS process, if the material is entirely your own.
You will need to decide upon a manufacturer before you apply for a license, as MCPS require the name and address of the manufacturing company, so make sure you ask wewow for a quote well in advance. We’ll be able offer you advise on how to obtain licenses at the same time, so it’s worthwhile contacting us as soon as possible.

Artwork

Don’t leave the artwork design until the last minute! It’s a good idea to get started on this at the same time as you’re dealing with MCPS and mastering, as it will make things much simpler for you if you can supply the master and artwork to the manufacturer all at the same time.

wewow have a team of in-house designers who will be happy to help you design your album cover, if you decide you don’t want to prepare the artwork yourself. The beauty of this is that they are experts in producing artwork for CD projects, so they understand what works best and can ensure that the artwork is technically perfect! All we require is a short brief and any specific images you’d like to use. Then our creative geniuses will whiz together a fantastic design for you!

If you decide to design the artwork yourself, we have a range of resources to help you out! Artwork guidelines and templates can be found on our website.

MCPS will let you know if there are any compact disc logos, copyright information and similar features which need to be included on your artwork and our customer service team are always on hand to offer advice!

Mastering

It may only take you a couple of days to produce your CD, but there is a chance it will take you a few weeks, especially if it’s your first go at mastering a CD. People often feel differently about a mix after they’ve had time to reflect on it, so it’s always a good idea to give yourself plenty of time for those creative juices to flow!

Giving yourself plenty of time in which to produce the CD, means that you won’t have to stress out over any technical problems that may occur. You also need to allow a day or two for posting the finished master disc to the manufacturer.

Delivery

Once wewow have received your master, artwork and initial payment, your dedicated Account Manager will confirm a dispatch date for the discs with you. If you need the discs for a specific date, such as a few days before your launch party, please let us know when placing the order and we will schedule your order into production so that it arrives in plenty of time.

Dealing with the media…

Promo copies

Another thing to consider is whether you require any promotional copies to be distributed before the official release. Distributing promos is a great way it built up media interest and ensure that your release receives as much media attention as possible!
Bear in mind that any promotional copies must be labelled up with the words ‘Promotional Copy Only – Not For Resale,’ as requested by MCPS. This must be agreed with MCPS when applying for your licence, if you are paying royalties to a third party.
We can offer help with printing the stickers and collation into press packs, depending on quantity, so please feel free to ask a member of our sales team how we can help!

Deadlines!

It is really important that you account for magazine and distributor deadlines when planning your CD release. Having your CD reviewed in a magazine is a great opportunity to get local or even nationwide coverage! But for this to happen, you need to allow yourself plenty of time to distribute your promotional copies. In some cases you may need to send out your promos 3-4 months in advance, in order to accommodate for the magazine’s production schedule. Some magazines may have a shorter turnaround time, but the last thing you want is to miss an opportunity with a monthly magazine because your promo doesn’t arrive in time!
Distributors also have strict deadlines which you will need to meet in order to have your CDs in the shops before the big realise date!
This may all seem a bit daunting but it needn’t be problem as long as you plan ahead. Find out what the deadlines are and plan according.

wewow are experienced in planning projects and ensuring that deadlines are met so just ask us and we will help you make your project run as smoothly as possible…just don’t forget to invite us to the big launch party ;)