Frequently asked questions…
What is cd/dvd replication?
What is a glass master?
What is on-body printing?
Why does on-body printing differ in colour/look from printing on paper?
In what format and at what resolution should I send you the on-body and/or inlay/brochure artwork?
To what size and shape should my artwork[s] be produced?
How should I send my artwork[s]?
Do you offer a design service?
Do I get to see what you produce for me before starting?
Do you offer a video editing and encoding service?
What packaging options can I choose for my disks?
What happens if we find an error or problem with your work?
How long will my job take?
What is cd/dvd replication?
When significant quantities of copies are required from an original CD or DVD – normally 500 or more – it is much more efficient and cost effective to 'replicate' the data onto the disks via a glass master rather than burning it on, as would be the case if the disk was being duplicated.
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What is a glass master?
The means by which bulk copying of CDs and DVDs is achieved. When large quantities of copies are required – normally 500 or more – the information imprinted on the original disk is transferred onto a glass disk of about 25cm in diameter which is pre-coated with a light-sensitive material. The information is laser-etched onto the surface and when the disk is played the data is coded onto the body of the receiving disk. The process brings cost efficiency and speed to the bulk duplication production process.
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What is on-body printing?
The image you would like to have on your disk[s] is printed directly onto the surface by various methods such as thermal transfer and silk-screening. Images can be in full colour, in selected multi- or single-colours and b/w, depending on your preference. Images are also printable onto white- or silver-bodied disks. The artwork has to be produced to the exact size and specification of the particular machine selected to undertake your production run, so we will supply the correct specification and/or template to you once you have confirmed your order.
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Why does on-body printing differ in colour/look from printing on paper?
Most papers absorb inks or transferred images in the printing process due to their absorbency, or porosity. A disk is non-porous and therefore the image is likely to be stronger-looking when compared to that of any image printed on paper or card. When the pre-production testing process identifies such a variance every effort will be made to adjust the colours on one or both originals to try to balance out the effect. Also, and because of the porosity vs non-porosity issue, the same Pantone colours will not necessarily match when printed on the different media and then compared side-by-side.
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In what format and at what resolution should I send you the on-body and/or inlay/brochure artwork?
We can accept most bitmap formats for all images such as TIFFs, JPEGs and PDFs.
For best quality all origination should be produced at a minimum of 300dpi (and preferably not converted from a lesser resolution) and should be in CMYK format. You can send your origination by email if under 6MB. Please always send us a printed proof copy from it so that we can be certain we are printing everything correctly. Please be aware that colour values may change when converting from RGB screen values to CMYK print values.
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To what size and shape should my artwork[s] be produced?
As disk 'cores' vary in size, and because CD/DVD cases vary in shape/size depending on the manufacturer, it is important that we specify to you the size and shapes you should work to. The dimensional aspects we will give you will depend on the disk and case stock we are able to source in order to undertake your project.
On-body image: we will supply you with a template to which you should produce your artwork.
Inlay card or inserted brochure/bespoke booklet: we will supply a dimensional specification to which you can produce your artworks.
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How should I send my artwork[s]?
By email, or on a disk by overnight courier or by recorded delivery post.
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Do you offer a design service?
Our in-house studio will be pleased to help you create the images you want and source the printed materials necessary for your project. All you have to do is ask for a quotation.
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Do I get to see what you produce for me before starting?
Yes, we ask for your approval every step of the way, by email and by proof-print as preferred or as necessary. Our normal procedure for CD/DVD testing is to produce a pre-duplication disk so that we can check your video or data content on a range of PC types in our studio. For printed images, either on-body or inlay/booklet inserts we would normally submit proofs by email for your approval, prior to proceeding with the production run.
However, should you want to see a finished example of your DVD or CD with on-body image, and a printed mock-up of your inlay/booklet insert at each stage of the design process then a small extra charge + delivery cost will be made for each occasion we are asked to proof in this way.
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Do you offer a video editing and encoding service?
Yes, we have a non-linear editing suite and can transfer/encode clips from all tape formats. We also have a 3D graphics studio and a sound recording/editing facility. Therefore, we are able to undertake the entire production process from within our in-house studio.
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What packaging options can I choose for my disks?
Included under the 'Package' link is a list of the common or standard devices used to hold your disks. A picture of each is also supplied. But, there are many other variations and so if you have any special preference such that you want to be seen to have something unique or that stands out from the crowd, then do please ask us and we will arrange to email you pictures of some options we think might meet your need.
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What happens if we find an error or problem with your work?
If there is a typographical or graphical error on the printed materials which we have originated for you, and it is proven to have arisen after you have signed off as 'approved' our pre-print proof copy, then we will reprint and/or reproduce your job from scratch, at no cost to you. However, we will not re-run a job at no cost where, for instance, the artwork you supplied us is incorrect, or if you have a complaint about colour matching and you had not supplied a proof copy to us, then we would not be able to accept liability. (Please be aware that colour values may change when converting from RGB screen values to CMYK print values).
If there is a playback or technical error with some or all of your disks then they should be returned to us immediately for investigation. Should the cause of the problem be attributable to our production process rather than, say, a computer or DVD player playback problem, then we will re-run the job in full and at no cost to you.
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How long will my job take?
The delivery date will be determined by three main factors:
1. the quantity of CDs or DVDs being produced
2. the length of time it takes us to create any artwork you ask us to undertake and/or to complete all necessary pre-production work such as video editing, encoding, authoring and mastering
3. the type of packaging requested
Once we know exactly what you require we will confirm a delivery date in writing.
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