A non-technical Guide to CD / DVD Replication
So it's your first CD or DVD replication project and you are keen to get started researching all the different print, packaging and format options out there. Your thinking a clear case, with 4-color, two-sided artwork would be cool. Or maybe a 4-panel, fold-out cardboard sleeve like the latest video you saw at Blockbuster will work better. You can't wait to start exploring your options.
You go to the Internet and type in various keywords, like "DVD Replication" or "CD Duplication Service". You find literally thousands of sites all screaming that they will do a bang-up job on your project - all for as little as $.38/disc! "Wow" you say, "this is great". So you start asking for quotes to see the differences in price.
Problem #1: The DVD / CD replication quotes start coming in, but are raising more questions than answers!
- What's a "glass master" and why do I need one?
- What's the difference between 3-color silk-screen printed discs and 4-color offset?
- CMYK vs. RGB?
- Should I go with a DVD-5 or a DVD-9?
- What is CSS or Macrovision encryption?
- What's the difference between shrink-wrap and poly-wrap?
- What's a DLT master and why can't I submit a DVD-R?
Problem #2: Why are all these quotes so different? Some are so complicated that you feel bewildered. Why is this so confusing - you just want 1,000 nice looking discs?
The truth is that many CD or DVD replication services have their origins in the Print or the VHS tape worlds. When the compact disc came along many made the switch, but carried over many of the complex policies and procedures with them. And as a result, you will be charged for everything, by the vendor, and you end up with a long "shopping list" of line items - most of which are non-optional - so why do they bother listing them?
Yes, it's true, you cannot start a replication run without a glass master. This is when we take your DVD-R or CD-R master and create a "stamper" disc, which is actually used to stamp out your discs in an injection-molding machine. But, if you can't do the job without a glass master, why add it to the quote as a line item, which costs, say $350 or something? It only confuses matters!
The real truth is you don't need a laundry list quote. You would be better served with one number that includes everything. This is the way we work at PacificDisc. It's not because we are trying to hide anything, it's just that you don't need to be bothered (or intimidated) with knowing every little detail. Let us worry about the details, that's what we do, while keeping you 100% plugged into what's going on with your DVD / CD replication project.
Instead PacificDisc will give you a single per-disc price (upfront), which includes everything except shipping.
Once you have received your quote, if you have any questions we'll try to answer them. If everything looks good, you simply sign the quote and send it along with your masters to our facility. Once we have started a project for you, you will start seeing emails from us
- You'll get an email saying we've received your masters and are starting you project.
- You'll receive PDF proofs of your disc face and cover (Epson proofs are available too)
- Once those are approved, we'll move to the manufacturing stage. Once the project is booked onto a line, we'll give you an estimate of the ship date
- When we ship, you'll get an email with tracking numbers and expected delivery date.
- Once you have received your discs, we'll send a follow up email making sure everything has arrived and looks great.
Try working with other replicators, who will swallow your project whole for weeks on end without taking the time to tell you what's going on. It's not rocket-science, it's just good customer service and that's the PacificDisc way.
For more details - and answers to questions you have read other articles in this DVD / CD Replication "How To" series. Contact our expert DVD or CD Replication sales representatives or technical staff if you have any questions!
Next we drill down and explore the DVD FAQ
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