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, because the process to make the CDs is 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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Too much reading for you? Click here for a quick reference guide.
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REPLICATION
When you need a retail ready product and are ordering at least 500 CDs!
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THE CD
Replication is the term that refers to the process of "stamping" a CD. Every music, software, or game CD 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 CD at the time the disc is made, it is possible for a replication plant to turn out many thousands of CDs each day. This explains why a replicated CD 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. Click here for pricing on replication.
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THE CD 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. With replication, you can also print in the very center of the CD, which cannot be done in duplication printing. Click here for replication artwork specs.
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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 and printing completed in as little as 4 days! Click here for more info.) Click here for insert printing specs for replication.
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SHRINKWRAP
Shrink-wrap (which is really called overwrap) is standard on any replication order. However, you can chose to get just bulk CDs if you don't need any packaging or overwrap.
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DUPLICATION
For 1-2 day turnaround OR quantities under 500 CDs!
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THE CD
Duplication is the process of "burning" a CD with a CD writer. Using blank, recordable media you record the information on a CD-R. The "R" stands for recordable. If you have a computer at home or in your office that has a CD writer, you can duplicate CDs. At Crystal Clear Sound we happen to have enough CD writers to do 2000 CDs a day! Because of this capacity, it is apparent that if your need is to have some CD copies made as quickly as possible you are going to use our duplication service. Also, because replication requires a 500 CD minimum order, you will be getting duplication if you are needing quantities of less than 500. Click here for pricing on duplication.
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THE CD LABEL
When duplicating CDs we can print a label directly on the CD using a special printer. For black printing we use a thermal printer and print on a glossy, or shiny silver CD face. For color printing we print on a textured silver CD using an ink-jet printer. 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. Click here for artwork specs for duplication.
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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. Click here for artwork specs for duplication.
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SHRINKWRAP
Although we do not have a shrink-wrap machine at the building that our CD duplicators are in, we do have one in the replication building if you need shrink-wrap. Click here for more information.
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