What is the difference between Replication and Duplication?

To the laymen, replication and duplication probably mean the same. But to the people in the disc manufacturing industry, there is a subtle difference. Replication usually refers to the process of making CD or DVD from a glass stamper (or mold). When melted polycarbonate is injected under high pressure onto the glass stamper, the bits of information are formed. A reflective layers is then coated on the disc so the laser beam inside the CD player or DVD player can see the data.

Duplication, on the other hand, refers to making CD or DVD by burning data onto recordable media. For that reason duplication is usually limited to short-run smaller or urgent jobs. For large volume production, replication is the most cost effective and the discs produced are of higher quality.

Replication can only be done under highly temperature and dust controlled environment. Duplication can be done in any normal environment such as in the office or at home. A replicated CD or DVD (so called pressed CD or DVD ) usually has artwork printed on the disc using silkscreen or offset printing process. For duplicated CD or DVD, you can either print a batch of recordable media using silkscreen or offset or you can apply a paper label on the disc. Some recordable media have inkjet printable surface on the disc allowing you to print the artwork directly onto the disc with special inkjet printers.


What type of master do I need?

We can accept CD-Rs as standard masters for duplication or replication. We can also accept a DAT and most any analog master on cassette or diskette. Masters not received on CD-R will require a pre-mastering stage at additional costs.



CD-RWs are not acceptable as masters. Due to the disc's nature of leaving the disc open for additional recording, a CD-RW will fail in QC with write-errors. If the only master you have is a CD-RW, we suggest that you simply copy the content of your master onto a standard CD-R.



Can I supply my own artwork on film?



Yes. Please review our art preparation page on what specifications we need you to follow before you output your film. If you have already output your print films, chances are we can still work with it. Please contact your account representative to discuss your particular situation.



How will you ship my CDs to me?



Shipping is based on customer preference from the following options:

- UPS Ground, UPS Next Day, Second Day or 3-Day Service

- FedEx Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight or Economy 3-Day Service

- United States Postal Services



For larger orders Most orders ship out UPS Ground. For larger quantity orders, we will ship via the best rate common carrier we have available.



All freight costs are the customer's responsibility.



How do I pay for my order?



Standard payment terms for your order are in advance with the balance due before we ship your order. Sorry, no CODs. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Company Checks and Cash. Personal Checks and some Company Checks must clear our bank before production can begin. Certified funds are required for final shipment.