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Welcome to the CD & DVD
Art Department! |
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CD Templates, DVD Templates & Disc Packaging Templates...
to assist with your artwork layout and design!
We have templates to help you lay out your artwork, including
the disc printing and the packaging (Custom Tray Packaging,
Folders, Wallets, Booklets, Wraps & lots
more! EPS templates can be used with Quark, Illustrator,
PageMaker.
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What
to do:
1) Choose your disc type & packaging <--need
suggestions? Ask our staff or window
shop!
2) Get a template. Our
EPS templates work with all major layout programs,
such as Quark, Illustrator, PageMaker, etc. Not
sure? Please call or e-mail and we'll guide you!
3) Create your artwork layout
in the template using your graphics program
4) Upload your artwork and
let us know it's there!
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Remember...we're here to help!
These CD / DVD artworks templates are here to help you- but
so are we. E-mail or
call us with any questions you have and we'll walk you
through it. Or if you'd like to, feel free to e-mail or
overnight us your artwork and we can look at it for you.
We're here to help!
If you don't see a template you need please contact us and
we will work with you to find the right template for your
project.
hello@megalodon.com Toll
free 888-234-2283
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Logos and
Disc Templates |
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CD and DVD: disc surface,
full size & mini disc |
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Disc templates are available online -- just click
any image with a link to access the template. Use
our handy form for assistance with packaging templates.
If you don't see exactly what you need, just give
us a call (toll-free 888-234-2283) or e-mail! We're
only too happy to help!
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| Click to download the template |
Full
Size CD - 12cm
Pressed |
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DVD
Face - 12cm
(DVD-5 and DVD-9) |
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Go to Product Sheets or
see more: |
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Full
Size CD - 12cm
Recordable |
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CD Business Card:
Bizcard 80 x 59 mm
Bizcard 80 x 60 mm
Bizcard 80 x 61 mm
See Mini CD and DVD
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Custom
Shape CD
See Clear Substrate |
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Mini
CD with
Clear Substrate
Use 12 cm template and lay out to desired
shape |
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Mini
DVD with
Clear Substrate
Use 12 cm DVD-5 template and lay out to desired
shape |
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Packaging
Template and Quote Form |
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Printed Packaging - Template
Request Form
(for your replication project starting production) |
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Upload Project
Artwork |
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Some guidelines:
- Compress your files (zip or sit).
- Give your compressed file a unique name.
- If you can't upload, try renaming the file.
- Notify us when done.
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Need Help?
Go to FTP Uploading
Help or call or e-mail us!
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The Art Proofing Process |
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The Manufacturing Process
at a Glance |
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Art
Preflighting |
Softproofs
(PDFs) |
Film
Generation |
Matchprint &
Printed Test
Disc Proof Set |
Manufacturing |
Shipped
to You |
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ART PREFLIGHTING
After you upload or mail your artwork to us, we'll take a quick
look for missing items, such as fonts or image files. We'll
also do a preliminary check for bleed, proper template, etc..general
things.
Cost to make minor changes: free.
PDF SOFTPROOFS
This softproof is preliminary to the hardcopy proof set (test
disc & matchprints). It is meant to verify that all of the
art files you submitted made it over OK and look correct to you.
It is not meant for color matching or resolution checking (for
those items, we recommend you send a color matchprint to us). If
the softproofs are not correct, you may resubmit art files without
incurring much, if any, cost. After the softproofs are approved,
any changes will result in charges for redoing the film and proof
set.
Cost to make changes: free to minimal,
depending on nature of change and if we do it or you do.
 Download
Adobe Acrobat Reader
(PDF Reader)
FILM GENERATION
This is the output of film for your disc & packaging. The film
is used to create the printing plates on the test disc printing,
and the packaging matchprint.
Cost to make changes: $$ requires a new set
of films.
PROOF SET
This includes your printed test disc (has data also) and if
you have printed packaging / paper inserts, a matchprint for those
paper items. These items are FedEx'd to you. You need to check
these carefully and e-mail us back approval to proceed to final
production. There is no need to return these. (See more on Megalodon
ProofSets)
Should you need to make changes at this point, the costs will involve
graphics time, a new set of film, and possibly a new Proof Set,
if you require it.
Cost to make changes: $$$
If your schedule is rushed, other alternatives are:
- Print-Only Test Disc
- Scans of the disc or matchprint sent via e-mail
- FYI-Only viewing of the PROOF SET (could save final product shipping
costs)
- bypassing the ProofSet altogether
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
After approval of the Proof Set items, manufacturing will be completed.
FINAL SHIPPING
...and finally the end product is ready to be sent to you. We'll
help track the project and notify you of delivery progress. We're
also happy to work with you on contingent addresses, such as
a conference hall or hotel.
Cost to make changes: $$$$
SCHEDULE
If you have a definite IN-HAND / DELIVERY DATE that
you need these discs by, please let us know immediately so
we can help guide you to meet your schedule. We're part of
your team, but we can only help if you give us all the information!
Let us know your schedule!!
COST TO MAKE CHANGES
The earlier in the process you can catch changes, the better.
Use the proofing process to catch the problems early rather
than when the discs are at your warehouse.
We are happy to provide you with these proofing measures to ensure
the quality of your final product. If you have any questions or
concerns along the way, please do not hesitate. We want your project
to be a perfect success!
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Disc Printing |
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Your disc manufacturing with Megalodon
includes full color printing on the disc,
and your choice of offset printing or silkscreening methods.
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Why is full color and
choice of printing method important?
Many replication companies only provide you with
3C (up to three colors on the disc) and silkscreening
method. The idea being to charge you more when
the art comes in. You make your decision based
on the low per unit cost, and then get hit with
extra color charges and offset printing set up
charges.
We don't care to do that. We like to help make
sure projects done with us look very sharp, so
we provide you with full color printing, and
the best method for your art - and no extra charges.
Our philosophy is to provide you with everything
you need to make a quality project in the cost.
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What is the difference between offset printed
discs and silkscreened discs?
Offset is absolutely gorgeous for art that has a photographic
quality. Ever seen discs that are grainy with great
big half tone dots? Those were probably silkscreened.
You know better now. However, silkscreening is best
for some type of line art with sharp definition between
colors. Especially spot color. We'll help you decide
the best method. Your choice.
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What do you mean by full color / 5C?
Full color or 5C means cmyk + a white flood, or five
Pantone(R) Spot colors.
Tip - Remember, on silver discs, silver is free (and
shiny, use a matte silver if you don't want to use
the disc silver). Think about your art over white,
and your art on silver, think about knockouts.
Can I go more than 5C?
Yes... for example you may want to do 5C + a varnish.
However, this is something that you really want to
talk to our graphics staff about. We have done test
discs for clients with varnish, 6C & even 7C
but the client rarely likes the end result as much
as our suggestions to make it 5C. So talk to us before
you set up the art for more than 5C - it might be
more expense than needed and not the desired end
result.
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 How
do I know that it will come out right?
You set up the art, we take a look at it and send make suggestions
or help with tweaks, and then send you a PDF to approve. Is
that the end of it, I approve a PDF then get thousands of
these on your doorstep? No way! (is it with other
replicators? Afraid so). After the pdf softproof is approved,
we then make you a manufactured off- the-press proof
disc, fully printed. Not just an electronic pdf,
not a printed piece of paper, but the final outcome on one
disc for you to hold in your hands, look at with your eyeballs,
take outdoors, take to dinner, whatever you like, and make
sure it's perfect.
Cost? Free. Included.
Once again, we want to stress that we
will include everything you need to make
a quality product. Do other companies
charge for this? Oh yes, and in fact
they won't even be bothered at any cost
to do one for a minimum qty run.
Why do I need a test disc? Because it
is the only way to proof the
disc art accurately and completely. Viewing PDFs on your
computer isn't enough (go look at it on another computer
and note the difference). Paper matchprints aren't the
same media or the same method so they are very misleading.
You have to see the art on the disc to be certain. Once
you have had a test disc, you will never want to do a project
without one again. (If you want to have some fun, ask
a member of our staff if they'd do their own project without
a test disc and just listen to them shudder...)
Result? Perfect project, no nasty surprises,
good looking product, happy client lives happily ever after.
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Packaging Printing |
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Creating printed packaging
at Megalodon is a very unique experience,
and unlike doing a printing run at any other replication
firm. You have virtually unlimited choices that you
can make to create something truly your own. You do
not have to pick model #12XY-A and suffer the pains
(and great expense) of trying to change something here
or there. How can we say this - special orders don't
upset us, except Burger King owns that one, so we won't.
But you get the idea? You like custom. We like custom.
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Special Designs & Die Cuts
are no problem
Looking for something a little out of the ordinary?
No problem. if you can describe it, we can build
it.
 What
colors are included on printed packaging?
Printed packaging is generally full color, cmyk and
if you are using standard paper stock, you have a white
background.
Pantone Inks?
You can also use spot or pantone colors (Pantone Matching
System or PMS colors) if you want a exact color. For
example, Coca Cola red is a special color and not a
mix of cmyk as it needs to exactly the same color every
time. Depending on the number of pantone colors (and
if the printer has to special order them), there may
be extra charges for pantone color printing. Keep in
mind too that matchprints for color proofing usually
are only cmyk as pantones theoretically do not need
color proofing.
 
What is reverse inside printing?
If you want a continuous art flow across the inside
of your packaging, be sure to do reverse inside printing.
 
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Metallic Inks versus Foil?
If you are looking for a metallic
look on your package, we can do pantone metallic inks
on your package - gold, silver, copper, etc. These
give you a flat or matte effect.
If you have a shiny effect in mind, you want to consider
foil which is applied by a hot stamping method.
Raised relief or embossing?
If you want to have certain graphics
or text stand up, that's something we can do with embossing.
In fact, there's a whole combination of effects we
can do with embossing. We can deboss areas, or add
spot gloss, or tint...let us know what you're aiming
for and we'll go over some photos.
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Eco Friendly Options?
We are very happy to be able to provide you with
lots of Eco Friendly options. We have extensively researched
paper stocks so that we can do our part - changing
the world one project at a time....
Recycled / post consumer waste paper stock
Wood free papers that don't contribute to deforestation
Nice fiberboard that uses the end of the line pulp,
unbleached, unvarnished.
And lots of plastic alternatives - let's think outside
of the plastic case, shall we?
Printing on Fiberboard
If you are using fiberboard paper
stock in your project, keep in mind that this stock
is unbleached and is an organic, brownish color. Your
colors are going to be a bit muted as it's printing
on brownish paper rather than white. If you do want
your colors to be pure, use a white spot area underneath.
keep in mind to that knockout areas are brownish rather
than white. You can have some really fun using this
to your advantage. Ask us if you'd like to see some
photos of fiberboard projects - we have lots.
Tip - kraft paper is a good option for your booklet
if you want a brownish background & edges.
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 What
options do I have for the finishing?
How do you want your end product to look? Are you
wanting shiny or flat? In your face or subtle? There
are all kinds of ways we can affect the end look.
Gloss & matte varnishes
Gloss & matte laminations
Spot Gloss, Spot UV, tinted gloss
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What is reverse inside
printing?
If you want a continuous art flow across the inside of your
packaging, be sure to do reverse inside printing.
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What
type of proofing will I get?
You'll first receive a PDF softproof that you'll
view on your computer. This covers basic things like
fonts, missing files, etc. Then we go a step further
and create a physical matchprint for you to view.
Viewing a pdf has some limitations - you can't predict
color based on what you see on your computer monitor.
Plus PDFs won't show you the resolution you want
to see on the final piece. Matchprints also show
halftoning dots - the shades of grey that make your
art smooth. Anyway, suffice to say, pdfs aren't enough.
So we go further.
Is there an extra charge for physical matchprints?
Did you really think there would be? Our philosophy -
everything you need for a quality product is included.
Full color cmyk matchprints and the shipping of them to
you are included.
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Window
Shop & See Examples |
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Complimentary Barcodes
and Distribution Assistance
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Megalodon is happy to provide you with a complimentary barcode. You
will need to ask us to place it in the art for you. Be sure to look
for it in the PDF softproof you get back (the first proof), and if
it is there it will of course be in the hardcopy proofsets. If it
is not there, then we've crossed our wires somewhere!
Is it better to get your own barcode?
Clients often ask us about the barcodes we provide, and if it would
be better if they provided their own. The answer is - it's probably
not worth the expense to you to purchase your own.
When we purchase bar codes from the United Bar Code Council, we buy
them in a large lot and get about one thousand at a time. Our cost
is something around $900. We can then distribute the bar codes to
our clients, one per title.
The bar code initially has our information (the replicator & purchaser)
associated with it. The purpose of a bar code is to give a title
an unique number - a number designated by the UBC that no one else
will have. When you give your title to a distributor or retailer,
say for example Amazon or Walmart, they are going to ask you to fill
out forms and assign the correct information to this title. What
they want and need, is an unique UBC number to have in their database,
which is what they get.
You can purchase a bar code directly from the UBC and it will have
your own information associated with it. You will probably still
have to fill out the same form and input the information. Your cost
to purchase a single bar code is around $800. if you have your own
bar code , we can place that in the art for you, or you can do it
yourself.
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CD & DVD Distribution
We have lots of exciting avenues to help get your title see and sold!
Check our out distribution
page. Every project is different, and we know it. Rather than
offer assistance with just one distribution company, we offer you
a wide variety of choices. These companies will help distribute & sell
your title. Some help you handle just the actual sales & fulfillment. |
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Got an idea for
custom packaging? Call and Talk to one of our Product Specialists and
let Megalodon make your Custom Project come to life!
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Intro 
