DUPLICATION or REPLICATION
What's the difference? Which one do I need? |
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Many people aren't aware that there are two different ways to make CDs and DVDs. And, because the process to make the discs are different, the processes and types of label and insert printing you can get are also different. Here is a brief primer on those differences that will help you decide which method you should use.
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REPLICATION
When you need a retail ready product and are ordering at least 500 CDs or 1000 DVDs! |
MAKING THE DISC
Replication is the term that refers to the process of "stamping" a CD or DVD. Every music, software, or game disc you purchase in stores is a replicated disc. The reason for that is simple. Since replication is a highly automated process in which the data or music is actually pressed into the disc at the time the it is made, it is possible for a replication plant to turn out many thousands of discs each day. This explains why a replicated CD or DVD will ALWAYS be cheaper to you than a duplicated disc. However, because the plants usually have dozens of jobs at a time to do, the turn around time for a replication job is often 10 or more business days. |
THE DISC LABEL
Label printing in a replication plant is done in a silkscreen printer. Because of the way this process works you have much more control over the label color than you can get with a duplicated CD or DVD. |
THE INSERT AND TRAY CARD
This is where replication has a huge advantage over duplication. Because you are now ordering quantities large enough to utilize professional offset printing, you can get anything and everything imaginable for inserts. Multiple pages, any Pantone color...the only limitation is your imagination (and budget!) You will also discover that it is here, in the world of insert artwork and printing that you experience the most delays and changes. This is a big reason why replication jobs take 2-3 weeks to complete. (However, Crystal Clear offers affordable rush services with replicated CDs or DVDs and printing completed in as little as 4 days!) |
SHRINKWRAP
Shrink-wrap (which is really called overwrap) is standard on any replication order. However, you can chose to get just bulk CDs or DVDs if you don't need any packaging or overwrap. |
DUPLICATION
For 1-2 day turnaround OR quantities under 500 CDs or DVDs! |
MAKING THE DISC
Duplication is the process of "burning" a disc with a CD or DVD writer. Using blank, recordable media you record the information on a CD or DVD-R. The "R" stands for recordable. If you have a computer at home or in your office that has a CD or DVD writer, you can duplicate your own discs. At Crystal Clear Sound we happen to have enough CD and DVD writers to do 2000 discs a day! Because of this capacity, it is apparent that if your need is to have some copies made as quickly as possible you are going to use our duplication service. Also, because replication requires a 500 CD or 1000 DVD minimum order, you will be getting duplication if you are needing quantities of less than these. |
THE DISC LABEL
When duplicating CDs or DVDs we can print a label directly on the disc using a special printer. For black text-only printing on CDs we use a thermal printer and print on a glossy, or shiny silver face. For color printing on CDs or for any DVD printing we use an ink-jet printer to print directly on the face of the disc. Because of this process, we cannot print colors to PMS match. In addition, because the printing processes for duplication and replication are different, the size and artwork specs are also different. |
THE INSERT AND TRAY CARD
Insert and tray card printing is done with a high quality laser printer on 80 lb. gloss text paper. Unlike replication where you can get anything you want for your inserts, we can print 2 or 4 panel inserts only. The tray card can be printed in color on both sides if needed. Here again, because the printing processes for duplication and replication are different, the size and artwork specs are different. |
SHRINKWRAP
Although we do not have a shrink-wrap machine at the building that our CD or DVD duplicators are in, we do have one in the replication building if you need shrink-wrap. |
| CD or DVD Manufacturing Quick Reference |
Replication |
Duplication |
| Need fewer than 500 CDs or DVDs |
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X |
| Need 500 or more CDs or DVDs and can wait 2 weeks* |
X |
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| Need CDs or DVDs as soon as possible (days not weeks)* |
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X |
| Need retail ready packaging |
X |
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| Need color inserts |
X |
X |
| Need shrink wrap |
X |
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| Need to match Pantone colors |
X |
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Need Replication? Click Here to visit our sister company Crystal Clear CDs
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