There are two distinctly different ways of making optical discs (compact discs.) One method involves recording the data onto a glass master from your CD-R master or Exabyte tape, making a stamper, mounting the stamper in a press, then injection-moulding the finished disc. The other method involves using a pre-grooved, blank CD-R (CD Recordable) and recording onto this piece of media your program material, one disc at a time. While the finished product will work the same way, and, with modern CD-R dyes allowing the disc to look nearly identical to a "pressed" disc, probably look virtually the same, they are different. What type of product you decide to make depends on a number of factors. Here's some information that will help you decide:
| Factors To Consider |
Pressed CD |
Duplicated CD-R |
| Quantity |
CHEAPER ABOVE 1000:
Most cost effective at 1000 units and up. Smaller runs can be very expensive due to set-up costs, art prep and film costs. |
CHEAPER BELOW 500:
More cost-effective below 500 pieces, all the way down to 10 pieces. |
| On-Disc Imprint |
DURABLE SILK-SCREEN IMPRINT:
Silk-screen imprint up to six colours, i.e., full-colour process printing (CMYK) with a white base and a sixth spot colour (gold, silver, another solid colour.) Silk-screen printing is solid and durable. Film prep and output costs apply. A certain amount of technical skill (we we have) is required to correctly prepare the art for printing. |
EASY TO PREPARE FULL-COLOUR DISC ART:
Laser-printed or inkjet printed advesive labels in full colour on the white background of the label paper. Glossy papers are available. Graphics preparation can be accomplished by a novice. The label also provides an extra layer of protection to the data layer. |
| Packaging |
FANCY PACKAGING AVAILABLE:
Jewel boxes or paper or plastic (HDPE) sleeves are standard. Printed jackets and Digi-Paks are available in quantities from 1000 on up. Other kinds of packaging, such as paperboard wallets, are also available in quantities of 2500 and up. |
DIFFERENT OPTIONS:
Very small runs of booklets and traycards (less than 500) can be printed digitally and packaged into jewel boxes. Windowed envelopes, plastic sleeves, vinyl pouches, unprinted board jackets and other generic packaging are available. |
| Compatibility |
Play-able in any tray-loading or slot-loading device (like a car player or some types of CD-ROM readers.) These discs are produced to the appropriate Phillips "book" standard for 120mm optical discs. |
Same as pressed CD except that some very old (7 years old or more) CD-ROM readers may not properly read the disc. Considering the scarcity of very old machines, this is only an academic point presented to be technically complete. |
| Turn-time |
NO SO FAST, BUT FAST ENOUGH FOR MOST:
Fastest extra-cost quick-turn is about three business days after all elements are ready for production. |
FAST ENOUGH:
Turn-time on a non-rush-basis is 48 to 72 hours, rushes can be done in 12 to 48 hours. |
| Capacity |
About 650 MB of music, data, video, etc. The length of a pressed disc makes no difference in the cost of manufacturing. |
Same as pressed CD, but length makes a difference in the final cost since the recording time changes how long a job takes to run. |
| Cost |
The number of colours to be imprinted and the quantity of discs needed can steer the cost of very small runs into the stratosphere. |
The quantity of discs needed can steer the cost of very large runs into the stratosphere, but if you need a quantity of this product extremely quickly, you might have to make that choice. |
| IN BRIEF: |
Use a pressed CD if your project calls for at least 500 pieces and you need a highly polished and finshed appearance. As always, a little planning goes a very long way. |
Use a duplicated CD-R if turn-time and small-runs up to 500 pieces are important considerations. |
| A BETTER COMPROMISE: DO SOME OF EACH - A small quantity for quick-turn needs such as promotion or testing, and the balance as a commercial run! |
