| It's a typical situation. You've been putting a lot of | | | | anyone's copyright. |
| energy in your craft and people are starting to talk | | | | CD Replication not only shows that you value your |
| about your band. You've played a few shows and | | | | art enough to have it made retail-ready, but also cost |
| everyone is asking for a CD. I used to think that in | | | | effective. I'll break it down in general. |
| order to release your own CD you would go out and | | | | DIY CD Duplication |
| play a bunch of shows and then someone would | | | | · 1 Computer with CD Recorder |
| come out and sign you. They'd take care of | | | | · 100 Memorex CD-R |
| everything. They'd set up the recording studio, | | | | · CD Jewel Cases |
| organize the artwork, and pay for it to get | | | | · Printer Ink |
| manufactured. That's not the case these days. | | | | · Man Hours |
| At present, technology is readily available for any | | | | Total $1495.00 |
| budding musician to record, create, and duplicate CDs. | | | | Typical CD Replication Package |
| CD duplication involves CD-R media. CD-R prices have | | | | · CD Replication for 1000 CDs |
| dropped dramatically since the first CD Recorders | | | | · 1-3 color on-disc silk-screen imprint |
| were available on the consumer market. This makes | | | | · CD Jewel box, assembly, professional quality |
| it an affordable option for anyone who wants to | | | | film-wrap |
| copy their own CDs and pass them on to friends, | | | | · 2 Panel Insert and Tray card |
| family, or fans. This is a great option for the young | | | | · Bar Code |
| band that is still getting their feet wet in the music | | | | Total $1000.00 |
| industry. Duplicating a limited amount of CDs can | | | | These prices are very approximate and are only used |
| keep a limited budget in place. | | | | for the purpose of estimating the difference |
| If your band is at the point were your ready to start | | | | between CD Duplication and CD Replication. Lets dig |
| selling your CD your best option is to make a | | | | in a little bit. I've already illustrated some of the |
| retail-ready CD and having it replicated. What is a | | | | benefits of CD Duplication and the benefits of CD |
| retail ready CD? These are the same CDs you find in | | | | Replication. You can see above that you are spending |
| the music stores by the major label artists. They | | | | approximately $500 more taking on the CD |
| have great artwork printed on CD inserts, a nice tray | | | | duplication responsibilities yourself and only getting |
| card insert, silk screened art on the CD, and they are | | | | 100 CDs!! Having your CDs Replicated costs less and |
| shrink-wrapped. | | | | someone else is doing the work. You can spend the |
| The retail-ready CDs are not duplicated, but | | | | time you'd spend on CD duplication and practice your |
| Replicated. This means that an exact replica of your | | | | chops or promote your upcoming CD release party, |
| CD master has been stamped out on all of the CDs. | | | | saving yourself $500 that you can use for items like |
| CD Replication is the way to go if you are serious | | | | merchandising, t-shirts, stickers, and posters. |
| about selling your music for profit. In fact most music | | | | Whether you choose CD Replication or CD |
| stores will not sell duplicated CDs. Think about it this | | | | Duplication, you'll need to do some research. There |
| way. It is illegal to sell or profit from duplicating copy | | | | are plenty of resources available for CD Duplication |
| written material. If you tried to sell CDs that have | | | | and you probably own everything you need. It is up |
| been duplicated to a retail store you'll more than likely | | | | to you and your band to decide which option is |
| get turned down. How are they to know that it is | | | | better depending on what level you see your band |
| really your band? One of the best anti-piracy | | | | on. Are you a band that plays parties or small clubs, |
| practices that CD manufacturing plants have | | | | or is your band seasoned and touring? There are |
| instituted is the verification of copyright and | | | | benefits to both. Find a local CD manufacturer in your |
| ownership through a International Property Rights | | | | area and ask for their recommendation. Most CD |
| Form. Filling out an I.P.R. form ensures the CD | | | | manufacturers also offer quick turn high quality CD |
| Replication plant that they are not infringing on | | | | Duplication with printing on the CDs. Keep rockin'! |