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CD-R Duplication vs. CD Replication

CD-R Duplication is an affordable option for customers looking to make a small run of discs (even as few as one). A recordable disc (CD-R, DVD-R or BD-R) is “burned” with your content directly onto our top-quality blank media. One possible drawback is infrequently reported problems of burned discs being incompatible with older car CD players. For disc quantities of 1-2000, we recommend disc duplication.

CD Replication involves the creation of a glass master from a client’s original master, the creation of a nickel stamper from that glass master, the injection molding of clear optical-grade polycarbonate substrates (clear discs) from that stamper, and the metallizing and lacquering of those substrates to produce the disc. For disc quantities over 2000, we recommend disc replication.

Inkjet Printing Vs Thermal Printing

For many CD and DVD duplication jobs the preferred printing type will either be thermal printing or inkjet printing. However, many people do not understand the true differences between the two and will often go for the cheapest method. However, there is a famous little saying – You get what you pay for!

Inkjet printing is a process whereby ink is sprayed from nozzles onto the disc surface, hence the name inkjet. This process is very similar to the process used by every day paper printers which you will find in homes and offices around the globe. Inkjet printing is great for a high quality finish which will catch all images and text in great detail. However, the inkjet process does have drawbacks. Mainly the discs will not be damage proof and scratches and smudges can appear if not handled with care. Also a waterproof finish is only available with a special type of discs which are more expensive.

Thermal Printing is a totally different process where a ribbon is used to apply the colours separately to a plate which is then burned onto the disc along with a protective layer. The main advantage to the thermal printing technique is the durability of the discs which will be waterproof, scratchproof and smudge resistant. Also the print cost per disc will be the same no matter on the coverage of the disc. However, there are again drawbacks. Unlike the inkjet method, it is often harder to get such a sharp image on small text (6-7 pt and below). Sometimes the text will be slightly blurred and difficult to read. Also in general the cost per disc is slightly higher than the inkjet process.

Therefore, the decision is all about considering what is right to meet the requirements of each individual duplications needs. If you are looking for professional standards and high quality durable discs then thermal printing is most likely for you. However, if you’re looking for a cost effective method which still gives good quality then maybe you should choose the inkjet printing option.

About Us
The quality of your duplication is a reflection of the quality of your company, your products and your message. Quality CD and DVD duplication, CD and DVD replication, audio duplication and video duplication require attention to detail and QC systems that work.

At Routel Technologies, quality duplication is achieved through years of experience and a commitment to the very best in Quality Control. From state-of-the-art machinery to technicians that care about your program as much as you do, there is no better place to have your program duplicated. With over 1 million duplications under our belt, you can rely on receiving the best service and quality.

Print Samples: Printable CD and DVD Tips read more...

Inkjet printing has a few big advantages over thermal printing of which most users may not be aware. First, inkjet DVD/CD printers are capable of much higher resolution prints (measured in dots-per-inch, or DPI) than their CD/DVD thermal printer counterparts. The DPI of the printer depends on the manufacturer and the model, but some brands like Epson now have printers with 2400dpi and higher. The inkjet cartridges are usually cheaper than thermal ribbons, however they have a lower throughput than a ribbon (about 200 to 400 discs per cartridge, on average). Also, inkjet discs need to allow time for drying before they are burned or inserted so that the print does not smear. Inkjet discs may cost a few pennies more because of their special matte silver or white print surfaces. Newly introduced WaterShield discs from Taiyo Yuden and TuffCoat AquaGuard media from Primera offer extreme protection from smearing and smudging with a high gloss finish that looks like a more expensive thermal print.

Thermal DVD/CD printers use a heat transfer ribbon that prints directly on the surface of some shiny silver disks or thermal printable disks. There is a cost savings on the disks, however the cost of the ribbons is greater than the ink cartridges for the inkjet printers. However, the through-put of the thermal ribbons is higher (1500-2100 disks per ribbon). The other drawback of this technology is that it is meant for discs that don't need higher quality graphics or fancy color patterns, just printed words or simple logos or line Art. There are a variety of single color ribbons available as well as two and three color ribbons. Thermal printed discs look best if used for simple one color printing without any large blocks or patches of printed areas. Most High volume duplication houses use thermal printing for the fastest throughput and most durable print surface. If your company is printing a software or data disk that does not need a full color label and you are doing a higher volume of discs then this may be the right choice for you.

The printer in the thermal category you should be aware of are the Rimage Everest color thermal retransfer printer. This printer are different than standard thermal printers since he uses a thermal-retransfer system that produces full color photo quality prints. This enables you to create off-set quality DVD/CD prints with unsurpassed durability. These printers can create images with the color intensity, graphics, and durability of offset printed discs and they are durable, UV stable, and permanent. This type of printing allows for photographic like images and it can also print monochrome text, graphics, and grayscale images.