CD & DVD Duplication in more detail:

Duplication is the process of Duplicating or "Burning" the data directly onto a Blank Printed CD-R or DVD-R  Media. The process is essentially the same as burning a disc in your PC, however on a much larger scale and with no direct software used.

Acceptable Formats Duplicated are:

• CD Audio, CD-ROM (Data)
• DVD Video, DVD ROM (Data)
• DVD-5 : Single Layer (4.7G)
• DVD-9 : Dual Layer (8GB)
  

Advantages:

• Cost Effective for short runs under 1500 Units
  
• The most flexible process as discs are produced much faster then replication, so content can be supplied the day before discs are required, where as a disc that is produced via the Replication manufacturing Process requires between 7-10  Working Days to complete.
  
• Discs are Printed "Digitally" so very low set up costs
  
• Part Shipments are available , unlike if your disc is manufactured
  

Disadvantages:

• Not Suitable for the Retail Market for Audio CD / DVD Video.
  
• DVD - Some Compatibility issues may occur with DVD Players playing a DVD Video Disc, especially Dual Layer Discs
  

CD & DVD Replication (Pressed)

Often called a  "Pressed" disc , this is the Manufacturing Process that creates a "Glass Master" of your original CD Master Disc. This Glass Master is used to generate a metal stamper which plays a similar role in the process to the old photo "negatives" or printing "plates". This Metal Stamper is then used to "press" multiple copies of each CD. 

In the case of DVD-9 - 2 metal Stampers, which are used to then "press" multiple copies of your DVD.

Acceptable Formats are:

• CD Audio, CD-ROM (Data)
  
• Mini CD - 160 MB Capacity.
• DVD Video, DVD ROM (Data)
• DVD-5 : Single Layer (4.7G)
• DVD-9 : Dual Layer (8GB)

Advantages:

• Cost Effective for Quantities over 1000 Units
  
• All Discs Produced for Retail Market are required to be replicated.
  
• The Optimal method to produce a DVD  Video and allows for Maximum Compatibility with DVD Video Players
  
• Premium Offset Quality Disc Print Method
  
• CSS Copy Protection is Available for DVD Video Projects
  

Disadvantages:

• Minimum Lead time for Production is 7-10 Working Days
  
• Due to Manufacturing Process and High Set Up Costs , production runs of 500 as a Minimum
  
• Not as flexible a process as Duplication as no part shipments are possible
  

Printed Blank CD / DVD Media

• No Minimum Quantities
  
• Full Colour Digital Print for smaller quantity production under 300
  
• Professional Screen Print available - up to 4 colours, which allows Pantone Colour matching of corporate colour
• Full Colour OFFSET printing available for quantities over 500 Units
• Fast Lead Times - 1-5 Working Days
  

Disc Printing Methods

Professional Direct to Disc Printing methods

• Full Colour Inkjet Digital Print
  
• Black Screen print & Offset print
  
• Print from as little as 50 to over 10,000 prints
  
• Full Colour to plain black text print options 
  
• Screen printing for Pantone Colour matching
  
• Full colour Offset printing methods provide premium image reproduction
  
• Competitive pricing for all quantities
  
• Flexible turnaround times-from next day to 3-4 working days for screen or offset print
  
• No minimum quantities for Digital Printed Discs

Production Lead Times:

This will impact on the price and method to use to duplicate your Disc, as a General Rule, the longer you can wait, then the cheaper the price per disc , while very urgent turnarounds of 24 hrs will be relatively more expensive. 

Typical Lead times would be:

• DVD-Video Data (ROM) under 1000 :2-6 Working Days
• DVD-Video that is Replicated/Pressed: 8-10 Working Days
• Printed DVD Disc: 2-4 Working Days
• MINI DVD: 7-10 Working Days
• Eco-Disc: 14 Working Days

Printed Packaging & Paper Inserts can add to the above lead times.

Save money on your project by allocating the maximum amount of time to duplicate your DVD. Shorter and Urgent Turnarounds are sometime unavoidable but if you plan ahead , then you benefit from cost savings.