What is CD-R duplication versus CD replication?
The difference between duplication and replication is often a sticking point when it comes to ordering copied media. It is important to understand that the difference between duplication and replication is not one of quality; they are simply different processes…
Duplication is the ideal solution for copying data onto discs where the quantity is lower than 500 units. Duplication is done by loading a master disc into a duplication tower which will then burn the data onto blank discs. These discs can then be branded with ink-jet or thermal print if required. Duplication is a relatively fast process, although it is affected by the amount of data being copied. This means that duplication is also the perfect solution for fast turnaround jobs. However, since the data is copied onto pre-manufactured CD-Rs or DVD-Rs, duplication is a less cost effective process than replication.
Replication is a manufacturing process which is used to produce pressed discs for quantities above 500 units. A glass master will be produced contained your original data and this will then be used to create a “stamper,” which will be used for injection moulding the information onto foil. The information is then protected by layers of polycarbonate plastic, lacquered and packaged. This means that rather than ‘burning’ the data onto pre-made discs, your data is embedded in a manufactured disc. These discs can then be printed using silk-screen or lithographic print methods. As this is a manufacturing process, it is a more cost effective option than duplication and the cost decreases as quantities increase. Although the lead time for replication is longer than that of duplication, once the machines have been set up it is relatively quick to replicate 1,000 discs or 100,000.
wewow offer both duplication and replication services and are happy to discuss with you the available options for your project. If you would like any further information on the processes involved with producing CD’s or DVD’s, feel free to contact one of experts on 0845 450 6262 or sales@wewow.co.uk
While CD duplication and replication provide a very similar end result an exact copy of your master disc the result is accomplished in different ways. In the duplication process, data from your master disc is burned onto a prefabricated recordable disc. This is done on a desktop computer that transfers the data to a burner (either on the computer or a stand-alone burner/printer). CD replication involves the actual creation of a disc from raw materials using a glass-mastered, injection molding process that stamps (presses) the data into the disc as it is created. Should I use CD-R duplication or CD Replication? Quality and compatibility between a CD-R and a CD are normally very slight due to using the highest quality media for CD-R duplication. The duplication process is ideal for producing quantities under 500. Quantities above 500 are better suited to the replication method, which becomes more cost-effective as the quantity increases. Also, consider CD face art replication offers eith
