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CD & DVD Pressing...
when to use recordables and when to use pressed discs

What options do I have?
You have two technologies available to make your discs -- pressed discs or recordable discs. It really depends your needs.

Pressed Discs

Versus

Recordable Discs

Pressed Discs

Pressed discs refers to the manufacturing of CDs or DVDs by  1) pouring out substrate into a mold to create a disc, and  2) making a glass master/ stamper from client’s cdr master and using that to PRESS data onto the manufactured disc.
• Pressed discs are suitable for large runs (>1000).
• Discs can be silkscreened or offset printed.
• Often referred to as pressing, manufacturing, or replication.

Recordable Discs

Recordable discs can be made by first pouring out the substrate as above, but then adding a special layer. The end user can then burn or RECORD data (using a desktop cdr writer or cdr drive) onto the disc.
• Recordables are more expensive to manufacture than pressed discs.
• Recordables are suitable for short runs (<1000).
• Discs can be silkscreened for professional appearance.
• Packages with recordables are generally unassembled (without shrinkwrap) for ease in client burning (note- we do not do any burning of client data).
• Typical uses- frequently changing data or individualized discs.
• Often referred to as burning, writing, sometimes duplication. 

When is it better to use recordable discs?
Recordables are ideally suited for projects where you need a small quantity of one title. For example, you may want to publish one-of-a-kind data for your clients -- on recordable discs that have the look of a mass-produced title.

When is it better to use pressed discs?
Pressed discs are better suited for large quantity runs (1000 or more of one title).

  Doing pressed discs in a RUSH
Although we are able to offer rush production jobs, we can not always commit to them. That's why we have to have production approval on your rush job that's based on actual dates. We want to let you know if we feel we can do your job in the time frame you've specified. Our production staff is very conscientious about delivering what we say we can deliver, so those dates you give us are important.

To commit to a rush job, we will need to know the following:
• When your cd master will be arriving
• When your disc artwork or film will be arriving or uploaded
• Quantity of discs,
• Type of packaging, such as jewel case with shrink wrap
• If you're having printed inserts for the jewel cases, date the artwork will be uploaded
• Date you need the discs completed
• Whether any partial amounts will be good for an emergency situation. For example, if we couldn't get all 1000 in jewel cases with inserts shipped out on your requested date, would 100 bulk discs help.

• Your proofing needs and if you are comfortable bypassing the physical proofset.
We can do creative things to help you get through your deadline, tell us your needs and we'll work it for you! We know lots of solutions. There is no charge for a rush schedule.

What are some

GOOD TIPS

you can give me

for my project?
  • We know that this is easier said than done, but do try to leave yourself room in your project schedule. If you have printed paper or cardboard (i.e. jewel case inserts, printed sleeves or mailers, boxes), try to add a week to handle artwork issues. Projects without paper products generally take only two weeks. Murphy's Law would suggest more to cover all the Acts of God clauses like hurricanes and UPS strikes and power outages.
  • SEND YOUR ARTWORK EARLY. If you have your artwork files before your cd data, send them to us so we can start processing them and handle any bleed, cropping, etc., issues that may need to be addressed, and we can get that film made and start the printing. Doing your printed products early will help enormously.
  • When you receive your test disc, TEST IT. TEST it again. TEST it from the mountain, as they say. TEST it on all platforms, Mac, PC, cd players, etc. Try it in different computers or players. You don't want thousands of discs with bugs. We hurt for you when you call back and tell us you found a bug on your original, we hate it when that happens. We really do. Those additional orders have all the fun taken out of them. Please...test.
  • If you have never made a replicatable cd before, don't wait until two weeks before your deadline to try it for the first time- inexperienced premastering can wreck your schedule. Not all cd writing software is created equally. Some software is better suited for archiving and doesn't do perfect ISO images with all the right spacing or RedBook with all the right p's and q's. Also, you might experience a run of bad media if your karma isn't good. These things can happen although rare. Try to allow for extra time to account for these things.



Megalodon Manufacturing—15 Years in the Business of CD and DVD Replication and Packaging