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Duplication
Duplication is a disc copying process whereby data is copied from an existing disc onto a blank recordable disc. Highly recommended for faster and more cost-effective orders under 500 units. Not compatible with a very small percentage of older audio CD players. Great for data, software, documents, multi-media, etc.
Replication
Replication is a disc manufacturing process whereby an injection molding process is used to mold discs from the raw materials. Requires substantial heavy machinery and the creation of a master stamper. Recommended for orders over 500 units.
Data duplication: If the content to be duplicated is data, we require a CD or a CDr as a master, authored or setup with your data exactly how you want it to function. If you can only provide your data on alternative media (i.e. floppy, Jaz, Zip, etc.) you must call for a free consultation and quote for authoring of a CDr master.
- CDr
- PCM 1630
- DAT
- Cassette
We can do many things to edit or enhance your current master, including resequencing, fading, song spacing, loudness, and equalization. We have a highly trained staff with extensive experience. We can make you sound great! You do not have to be present during the mastering process, it can be handled along with your order through mail order. However, if you would like to sit in for the session and you do not live close to our Boston, MA office, we have a list of professional mastering studios accross the country that we can refer you to. Superdups offers state-of-the-art mastering with a true 48-bit signal path. Your master will be burned onto a Taiyo Yuden CDr master - the highest quality CDr master available. If you are not sure how to estimate the time needed to master your project, a good guess would be the total length of your master multiplied by 8 (i.e., a 22-minute master would be 22*8 = 176 minutes divided by 60 = 2.94 hours) in this case it would be considered 3 hours. Always round UP to the nearest hour.
Thermal
Thermal printing is a printing method whereby die is transferred to the disc using heat to melt the die off a ribbon and onto the disc surface. Recommended only for short-run disc printing (under 100 for black, under 500 for full-color). Black thermal printing does not allow for solid shapes - only line art and small logos. Full-color thermal uses a three-color process (cyan, magenta, yellow) to simulate continuous color tones. Although considered a high-quality process color thermal printing has some color matching limitations. Great for photos, but for large solid color areas, we recommend silkscreen.
Spot-Color Silkscreen
Silkscreen printing is a printing process whereby up to 5 individual colors are applied to a disc using a stencil-like process. Colors are created by mixing inks before applying them one at a time. In this process specific "spot" colors are chosen from a list of standard Pantone colors. This process is recommended for solid colors only. Not recommended for high-resolution photographic images or multi-color gradations.
Full-Color Silkscreen
Full-Color Silkscreen printing is a printing process whereby an image is broken up into it's primary colors and printed using only cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink (CMYK - K stands for black). Other colors and shades in the spectrum are simulated by printing intermingled dots of various sizes which blend to form a spectrum of colors. Recommended for larger orders (500 plus units) using photographic images and multi-color images that cannot be reproduced using spot colors (See Spot Color Silkscreen Printing). Maximum resolution is 100 lines per inch. For a higher quality product see Full-Color Offset Printing.
Offset
Offset printing is a process whereby an image is broken up into it's primary colors and printed using only cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink (CMYK - K stands for black). Other colors and shades in the spectrum are simulated by printing intermingled dots of various sizes which blend to form a spectrum of colors. Recommended for larger orders (500 plus units) using photographic images and multi-color images that cannot be reproduced using spot color processes such as Silkscreen Printing. This is the highest quality process for disc label printing. Maximum resolution is 200 lines per inch.
- Spot Colors - you can choose up to 5 different spot colors from standard Pantone charts. For instance, you can have a red CD face with a white title. You can have black text on the silver surface with a yellow logo. You can even have a flood white base with a gray scale image on it. The color combinations are endless. Remember a chosen color can also be shaded (i.e., black ink covers most shades of gray) and colors can be overlayed and blended into duo tones (yellows on top of blues will yield shades of green, a third color at no extra charge). If you do not know the exact color name of the colors you are seeking (i.e., pms 032 red, reflex blue, etc.), give us a sample or explain as best as you can the colors you are seeking. Keep in mind, you can also request that certain text or images will be "knocked out" to the silver surface of the CD face. This gives the illusion of an additional color. One thing to keep in mind, if you are seeking a special color, for instance a red that you are accustomed to, you may want to consider flooding the surface of the CD with white ink and then printing the red. Colors are viewed differently depending on the base color they are printed on. (For instance, a pink crayon drawn on white paper is accurate to shade as opposed to drawn on silver paper.)
- 4-color process (CMYK) - also known as the full-color process. This method utilizes 4 standard inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) that combine to create full-color images. This is considered a 4-color disc. However, for more accurate color shading, we recommend a base flood coat of white, which would then be considered a 5-color disc.
Jewel Case
A jewel case is the most common packaging option for audio CDs and many software packages. A jewel case is a 3-piece (front/back/tray) hinged plastic case which allows for an insert in both the front and back of the package (the back insert is also called the "tray card" because it is underneath the disc tray.) Standard jewel cases are clear with either a black, white or clear disc tray. A jewel case offers the best protection for the disc and the most area for graphics.
Slim Case
A slim case is a slimmer version of a jewel case. Slim cases are made up of only two items (front and back panel) and do not include a tray card because the back panel acts as the disc tray. Offers the same protection as a jewel case but with a slimmer profile and less visible graphics.
DVD Keepcase
Standard Amwray-style DVD case. Most commonly used for DVD video. Includes clear plastic cover under which a printed case wrap can be inserted as well as interior space for an additional printed instert.
Digipak®
A Digipak® is a folded cardboard package with a plastic disc tray glued into it. A Digipak® is considered more ecologically sound since it uses less non-biodegradable materials. Digipak®s still offer a good amount of disc protection because of the plastic tray. Although slightly more expensive to produce than a jewel case with inserts, a digipak gives your product a classier presentation.
Cardboard Jacket
A cardboard jacket is a printed sleeve made of folded cardboard that holds a disc. Offers protection from surface scratching. This is a standard two-panel design (front and back only). Cardboard packaging is available in a multitude of designs, including multi-panel and multi-disc configurations; call customer service for details.
Paper Window Sleeve
A basic white paper sleeve with a clear plastic film window for disc label viewing. Offers protection from surface scratches. Custom-printed, full-color paper sleeves are also available in a variaty of styles; call customer service for details.
| Type | Description |
| None | There is no packaging. Your CDs will be shipped on a spindle. Also referred to as bulk. |
| Jewel Box | The industry standard for CD packaging. Comes with black tray. You must stipulate if you are doing the assembly (i.e., jewel box, bulk) if we are doing the assembly (i.e., jewel box, assembly) or if we are doing the assembly and shrinkwrap into a jewel box (i.e., jewel box, assembly and wrap) |
| Slim Line | A 5.2mm slimcase that hinges like a jewel case, but there is no tray. The CD sits in the back piece of the case. The front includes notches to accommodate a standard cover insert. No printed traycard is needed. |
| DigiPak® | An alternative to the jewel box using less plastic than a traditional jewel box, the DigiPak® is a cardboard type wallet that opens and the CD sits in a plastic tray, usually glued to the right. The standard DigiPak® is considered a 4-panel. To have it open and flap one additional panel to the left would be a 6-panel DigiPak®. DigiPak® come standard with your choice of white or black CD trays. Check the clear option if you would like a clear or "crystal" tray. |
| Cardboard Sleeve | A sturdier alternative to the paper sleeve. Does not have a window or flap. Also known as a CD "mini-jacket." |
| Paper Window Sleeve | A thin, popular, lightweight alternative for packaging. A paper square envelope contains a flap and a round plastic window that you can view the CDr through. |
- The CD face. Unless you're planning on having a blank CD face (no printing on the CD surface), artwork will be needed. Whether it's simple text or fancy logos, photos or images, someone must create the artwork to the CD face's specifications (ie. size, dots per inch, etc.) This artwork, after all final approvals, will be color separated and converted to films, which will be used to generate the silk screens which, in turn, will apply ink to the CD face surface.
- The printing components (insert and traycard). To have a paper inserts printed, "plates" must be created for the printing press. The plates are made from color separated films, which were generated from the final approved computer artwork files.
- No One - There is no graphics layout.
- You - You supply the graphics layout. This means that you MUST follow our graphics specifications, failure to do so will cause job delivery delays as well as additional costs to your job. You MUST always submit printed proofs with your art. Once we have examined that your artwork is to our spec, we will generate the final films needed to start the printing processes.
- Superdups - We do the graphics layout from your submitted images and text. It's always best for you to type all of your information (song titles, member names, etc.) and save to a floppy as a .TXT file, and submit with your order. Always include a rough sketch that we will use as a guideline to create your layout. The more clear you are, the more accurate we will be in successfully providing you with the layout you envisioned. Once we have received your final artwork approval, we will generate the final films needed to start the printing processes.
- CD face layout and film
- Professional graphic layout of the insert and traycard
- One image scan per printing side
- Color separations and final films and proofs
| Term | Description |
| 1/0 | B&W/nothing, or black ink on the top/the bottom is blank |
| 1/1 | B&W/B&W, or black ink on the top/black ink on the bottom |
| 4/0 | Color/nothing, or color on the top/the bottom is blank |
| 4/1 | Color/B&W, or color on the top/black ink on the bottom |
| 1/0, 1/0 | A B&W Cover, printed one side only and a B&W tray card, printed on one side only |
| 4/0, 4/0 | A Color Cover, printed one side only and a Color tray card, printed on one side only |
| 4/1, 1/1, 4/0 | A booklet with a Color Cover/b&w on inside, b&w/b&w inside pages, and a color tray card, printed on one side only |
| Type | Description | Some Examples | |
| 2 Panel | Two panels. Known as an "card" or an insert. | A 4 Panel Folder |  |
| 4 Panel | Four panels. Pulls out and folds open once (like a birthday card) | ||
| 6 Panel | Six panels. Pulls out and folds open, and once again to the right (like a letter) | An 8 Page Booklet |  |
| 8 Panel | Eight panels. Pulls out and folds open, and opens again to double it's length | ||
| 10 Panel | Ten panels. Same as 8 Panel, but one additional flap on the end | A 6 Page Poster Folder |  |
| 12 Panel | Twelve panels. Same as 6 Panel, but opens again to double it's length | ||
| Booklets | Four panel increments stapled together to create a book. | ||
| Posterfolds | Opens like a 4 Panel or 6 Panel and then folds "up" to form a poster | ||
| Folders | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2-Panel |
 4-Panel |
 6-Panel |
 8-Panel |
 10-Panel |
| Booklets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 8-Page |
 12-Page |
 16-Page |
 20-Page |
| Poster Folds | ||
|---|---|---|
 4-Panel |
 6-Panel |
 9-Panel |
| CD Sleeve | Tray Card | Digipak |
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Tray only - this is the piece of printing in the back of a jewel case under the tray that includes the spines.
Upgrade traycard to 0/1 - to add b&w printing to the back side of the traycard.
Upgrade traycard to 0/4 - to add color printing to the back side of the traycard.
When you upgrade the traycard to 2 sided printing, remember to upgrade
your jewel box to have a "clear" tray so the printing can be seen. (The
tray is the part the CD sits in).
- None - There is no printing.
- You - You supply the printing. Customer-supplied printing MUST be exactly to spec. Page dimensions and proper paper weight are an important factor in the assembly process. All submitted printing must be supplied folded and ready to insert. If you submit tray cards, the spines must be scored, or perforated to allow an easy bend when assembling into the back of the jewel case. If you submit the cover inserts, they must be folded down, ready to insert into the jewel case. If your supplied printing is not to our spec, it may incur delivery delays and extra charges to your order.
- Superdups - We do the printing. On CD replication orders, we use state-of-the-art quality offset printing presses for both black and white and color inserts.