What in the World is CD Replication?

What in the world is CD replication? Isnýt it the same thing as duplication? While the finished disc products may look to be the same on the surface, there is more difference to them than meets the eye.

Replication provides the highest quality and most durable method for manufacturing your optical media discs. When you purchase the Audio CDs of major record labels or the CD-ROM discs from software companies, computer game producers, etc., you are most certainly buying the professional quality of a replicated disc.

The life of a replicated disc begins as raw polycarbonate pellets which are injection-molded into the finished size and shape of the disc. The injection-molded blank discs then go through processes where they are physically imprinted with data and a clear protective coat is applied. When the manufacturing process is finished the discs are taken to have the graphics printed on the non-data side.

Due to the set-up requirements for this custom-manufacturing process the cost effectiveness for CD replication begins at 300 units and improves dramatically when you reach 1,000 units or greater. When you require a smaller number of discs (ie: less than 300 units) it doesnýt make as much economic sense to replicate them, so this is when disc ýduplicationý typically comes into play.

Duplication is the process commonly referred to as the ýburningý of discs. For all intents and purposes this is the same disc copying process that you perform on your computer whereby the data from your master is copied onto a pre-manufactured CDR - the ýRý stands for ýRecordableý. It must be noted, however, that the equipment used for mass duplication of discs allows for a greater volume of output than you can achieve on a personal computer with specially designed duplication ýtowersý copy multiple discs at one time.

When you are looking for CD replication services you will find no lack of potential vendors for your work; the largest number of which will be brokers or re-sellers who act as middlemen between you and a replication plant but it is possible to deal factory-direct. Itýs in your best interest to receive detailed written quotations from at least three separate businesses and ensure that you review their Terms Of Business and Product Warranty prior to entering into any agreements.

Take your time and shop around for the company that offers you the best combination of quality, price, customer-service, product knowledge and product turn-time. Other important factors that can help you in your decision making include: Make sure your written quotation specifically states CD replication, ask about the potential for charges that are not shown on your quotation, ask the vendor if they are a broker or actually the manufacturer, request samples, ask for their product warranty policy in writing, and confirm minimum order requirements.

The ultimate end-result must always be a quality product because the quality of your disc (and related packaging materials) is a reflection of you and your brandý good or bad. Often times you will get what you pay for so donýt be tempted by low price alone.

For more information visit http://www.predisc.com.

Precision Disc Manufacturing Corp. provides factory-direct CD replication, DVD replication, CD duplication, and DVD duplication services, including top quality print and packaging solutions. For more information on cd replication visit http://www.predisc.com.

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