CD Replication or CD Duplication?

CD replication is sometimes confused with CD duplication, but the two processes are not at all the same.

CD duplication is burning, which can be done on any home computer. Duplication is cheap and convenient, but not always reliable. It’s suitable for personal copies and small jobs, but not for mass-distributed CDs.

Retail discs, whether audio CDs, CD-ROMs, or DVDs, are replicated by companies with special equipment and facilities. Replication is a more exacting process, and is the only way to ensure that a disc will play in any CD device, regardless of the manufacturer.

More on CD Duplication

The lowly duplicated CD does serve a useful purpose. Low cost and short turnaround times make duplication the method of choice for runs of 300 discs or fewer.

Most small businesses burn the promotional CDs they pass out at trade shows or bundle in press kits. Here, quality is not the first concern. From the standard issue blank discs to the rough labels applied with inkjet or thermal printers, the goal is to quickly produce something just good enough to do the job — something that will probably be discarded.

When to Replicate Your CDs

All commercial quality CDs are replicated, or pressed from a stamper. The stamper in turn is created from a near-perfect glass master. Only replication guarantees that all copies will be identical, and that the differing spin rates of CD devices and material discrepancies in the discs themselves won’t lead to problems with playback.

Packaging Your CDs

In the ultra-competitive world of retail, great presentation gives your disc a chance to be noticed. Without the right packaging, it may not even earn a place on the shelf.

Most CD replication companies use high-resolution screen or litho printing to print directly on the disc surface. The finished disc is then coated to seal the printed label and disc data. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no data on the reverse side of the disc: in fact, this layer of data resides just below the CD’s printed surface. Screen and litho print jobs serve a dual purpose — not only do they look fantastic, they protect your content, too!

Your box and case may need the extra punch of professional graphics and print. Here again, a replication firm like Digital Disc Duplication often deals with large orders, and has the staff, equipment, and experience to do the best commercial work.

From the mastering to the final packaging, Digital Disc Duplication will produce your CD to the highest industry standards, and for a price that won’t blow the budget.

Please contact us for a quote, or to simply learn more about our services, staff, and equipment.

• E-mail: info@digitaldiscduplication.com
• CALL: (+1) 863 353 6815
• Digital Disc Duplication USA, Inc., P O Box 7826,                    Wesley Chapel, FL. 33545