| There are two ways to make a copy of a CD or | | | | Digital full color printing is available |
| DVD. Information can be burned on to a blank | | | | with no prepress charges. |
| CD/DVD-R; this method is called duplication. | | | | |
| Information can also added during the CD/DVD | | | | Disadvantages of CD/DVD Duplication |
| manufacturing process; this method is | | | | |
| referred to as replication.Understanding the | | | | |
| differences is important in determining which | | | | |
| process is best for your project. A | | | | The cost per unit for duplication is higher |
| duplicated CD/DVD is not only created using a | | | | than replication. |
| different process than a replicated CD/DVD, | | | | |
| but the actual final product is also | | | | DVDs can have up to 2 layers of information |
| different. After the duplication process is | | | | on each side of the media. DVD-R duplicates |
| complete, the final product is a CD-R or a | | | | can have 1 layer of information on the entire |
| DVD-R. Replication stampers for CDs produce | | | | DVD. |
| CD-ROMs. (ROM means Read Only Memory). The | | | | |
| final product in the DVD replication process | | | | Most duplication facilities are small and |
| is a DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, or DVD-18. | | | | are commonly limited to hand assembly of the |
| | | | media into packaging as a result of their low |
| | | | volume runsAdvantages of CD/DVD Replication |
| | | | |
| The ProcessesCD duplication is similar to | | | | |
| burning a CD/DVD on your personal computer. | | | | |
| A CD/DVD duplicator extracts data from the | | | | The unit costs are lower than duplicated |
| master disc and writes it to a blank disc. | | | | discs. |
| The difference between burning multiple CD | | | | |
| DVD-Rs at a duplication facility and burning | | | | Both offset printing and screen printing is |
| one on your computer desktop is that the | | | | available for replicated discs. |
| duplication facility burns hundreds at a time | | | | |
| on towers that are linked together. Each | | | | Replicated DVDs can contain 1 layer (DVD-5) |
| tower contains several CD/DVD trays so that | | | | of information, 2 layers on one side (DVD-9), |
| many copies can be created simultaneously. | | | | 1 layer on each side (DVD-10) or 2 layers on |
| After all the data has been written unto the | | | | each side (DVD-18). Many replication |
| blank CD/DVD-R, the information is verified | | | | facilities are not yet set up for DVD-18 |
| with the master, and the process is | | | | replication. |
| complete.CD/DVD replicates, on the other | | | | |
| hand, are created during the manufacturing | | | | Most replication facilities, as a result of |
| process. In other words, media like a CD | | | | their high volume run capability, can auto |
| DVD-R does not exist before the process | | | | assemble discs into jewel cases, paper/tyvek |
| starts. Before the replication process gets | | | | sleeves, amaray cases, or cardboard sleeves. |
| underway, the client master is painstakingly | | | | |
| evaluated for data corruption. Then, a glass | | | | Disadvantages of CD/DVD Replication |
| master containing relevant data from client | | | | |
| supplied master is created. Replication | | | | The standard turn-time is 7-10 business |
| begins when a flawless glass master is | | | | days, longer for runs exceeding 100,000 |
| assured. The glass master is used to develop | | | | units. Standard duplication turn times are |
| a stamper. The stamper, in turn, is loaded | | | | 2-3 business days. |
| into an Injection Molding machine that | | | | |
| creates CD/DVD replicates. The quality of CD | | | | Most facilities have a minimum order |
| replication hinges upon the quality of the | | | | requirement of 1,000 units. |
| glass master's data. Through each successive | | | | |
| step, quality and accuracy is consistently | | | | Are There Noticeable Differences? |
| monitored to insure each disc is an exact | | | | |
| replica or clone of the original. A layer of | | | | Both CD duplication and CD replication |
| micro-thin aluminum is applied to the | | | | extract data from the original in the same |
| polycarbonate disc. It is then lacquered for | | | | way. In terms of manufacturing, however, |
| additional protection and printed before | | | | this is where the similarities end. The |
| packaging.The client supplied master for CD-R | | | | finished product of either process performs |
| and DVD-R duplication is the same, a CD | | | | in the same manner, although there will be |
| DVD-R. CD-ROM replication also requires a | | | | difference to the eye depending upon the |
| CD-R master. While a DVD-R is acceptable for | | | | whether the discs are digitally, screened, or |
| DVD replication, most facilities prefer to | | | | offset printed. |
| work from a client supplied DLT or Digital | | | | |
| Linear Tape. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | What About Special Circumstances? |
| | | | |
| Advantages of CD/DVD Duplication | | | | The goals of every project are unique. |
| | | | Contact our customer service department to |
| The standard turn-time is 2-3 business | | | | help determine which process best suits the |
| days, even for runs up to 5,000 units. | | | | requirements of your project. |
| | | | |