Duplication Q & A
Q: How are the discs printed?
A: Both our full color and black and white discs are printed by a thermal re-transfer process. The result is an extremely durable, waterproof and scratchproof finish with a look that rivals (and quite often surpasses) commercial screen-printed discs. If your disc print is text only, we also offer high-quality inkjet printing for cost savings, however we can print text-only designs by thermal re-transfer if you prefer.
Q: Can my CDs contain copyrighted material?
A: Not without the original owners’ permission. When we receive your audio master, we will assume that all material is either original or has been cleared by the appropriate agency. It is a violation of U.S. Copyright Law to reproduce someone else’s material without their consent. It is not our responsibility to verify the copyright status of materials you submit; however, if at any point in the process it is discovered that your project contains unauthorized material, we may refuse to print your project. Please respect other artists’ intellectual and creative property. If there is copyrighted material that you wish to include on your disc, please see http://www.harryfox.com
Q: What is your return policy?
A: Simple: if you find any defects in your discs within 15 business days of receiving them, and we are unable to correct them, we will either replace them, refund your money, or give you a credit towards your next order (your choice). But don’t worry; your discs will be flawless. We haven’t had a single return yet.
Q: Will my CDs play in every player?
A: The media we use has the absolute highest compatibility rating available industry-wide and we have yet to hear from any customers experiencing problems with playback. However, it is true that some older CD players may not be able to play CD-R or will have trouble doing so. This is not a defect in the disc. If you believe the player in question should be able to play CD-R yet you are still having issues, please let us know.
Q: What happens to my audio master/art files once a project is finished?
A: Your master and artwork are kept on file for reorders, but of course we do not own your material. If you would rather we not keep your materials on file, let us know; however, keep in mind that if this is the case any future reorders will be subject to the same approval process as the original order.
Q: Do you keep my credit card number on file?
A: No. If you are paying by credit, your credit card information will need to be resubmitted each time you order. This is for your protection.
Q: Do you check for audio errors or artwork errors before press?
A: It is your responsibility to make absolutely sure that your artwork and audio are exactly as you want them before you submit your final approval to us. This is very important because your duplicated discs will be exact copies of the original master. We do our best to keep our eyes and ears out for errors, but we are ultimately not responsible for any errors due to the original audio master or artwork files once we receive your written project approval. Again, please make sure your material is exactly how you want it before you sign the approval.
Q: Is there a minimum quantity? Maximum quantity?
A: As our business is short-run duplication, there is no minimum quantity at all. Feel free to order one copy if you like. Technically, there is no maximum quantity either – however, as you get close to 1000 copies this tends to get quite expensive and may not be your most cost-effective option. This is simply the nature of short-run duplication as opposed to large-run replication. Still, we will not refuse orders of 1000 copies or higher as long as it is understood that turn times (agreed upon at time of order) will likely be somewhat longer than short-run orders.
There is an exception when it comes to offset-print packaging such as digipaks, etc., which require a minimum order of 100 pieces.
Q: I don’t have any artwork for my CD. Can you help?
A: Of course. We offer excellent in-house graphic design by Leslie Brown. The majority of our duplication customers have their artwork done by Leslie and they are always glad they did. You can contact her [here]. Ask about posters as well!
Q: What audio formats will you accept?
A: We will only accept a physical CD master when it comes to your audio. We cannot accept audio by digital transfer.
Q: What image formats will you accept?
A: You can send your art files as .pdf, or as original Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator files.
Q: Will my prints match my original artwork exactly?
A: It is common for colors to change very slightly between original artwork and finished prints. It is not likely to be noticeable without a close side-by-side comparison. If this is a concern, we can provide a printed proof by request.
Q: Can you print to the center hub of the CD?
A: Yes. In fact, this is standard, and on thermal printed discs it is not optional, so please design accordingly. Although it is difficult to imagine a scenario where less room for artwork would be preferable, we may be able to substitute non-hub-printable inkjet discs by your request.
Q: Why are the discs blue on the bottom?
A: The discs we use contain a blue cyanine dye, which allows for the maximum possible data integrity and readability. While there are media brands out there that have more of a silver look (due to a different type of dye known as phthalocyanine), they are known to be far less reliable. Still, if this is a concern, we are willing to substitute a different brand of your choice, though we can make no guarantees as to the quality of other brands. We highly recommend sticking with blue cyanine discs.
Q: Turnaround time?
A: 1-3 business days for 1-300 copies, 3-5 business days for 300-500 copies, 5-7 days for 500 and above. Approximate turn times on orders of 1000 or higher will be determined at the time of order and depend on the specifications of the project. Rush turns are also available.
Q: When should I schedule my release party?
A: Save yourself some stress and wait until you have your discs in hand before you set a release date. The majority of orders we do are time critical in one way or another and we do our absolute best to accommodate tight schedules. However, it’s best to play it safe. Is a refund really going to make up for it if you have a release party to play and no CDs to sell? Again, save yourself some stress.
Q: Do I need a barcode? What does it cost?
A: You need a barcode if you plan on selling your CD in stores or online. While many companies will charge you between $20-$30 for a barcode (One customer told us he had been charged $50 by the last company he used; this is plainly inexcusable), we charge $10 for your own unique UPC barcode for orders up to 500 copies. On orders of 500 and above, barcodes are free. Note: having a barcode does not necessarily guarantee that all stores will agree to sell your disc.
Q: Do you print barcode stickers?
A: At this time we do not. Barcodes are dropped right into your layout (where is up to you) and printed directly on paper with your artwork.
Q: Do you charge for overruns?
A: Nope! Pretty much all replication companies across the board, and even most duplication companies, reserve the “right” to charge you for every copy when they print more CDs than you asked for. On the other hand, it’s possible that they’ll print 5% to 10% fewer copies than you ordered – this is known as an underrun. We don’t like this idea, and we’d be willing to bet you don’t either. So, if we end up with some extra copies of your disc, we don’t charge you for our mistake – the extras are yours at no additional cost to you.
Q: When is my payment due?
A: We require a 100% deposit before we can begin printing. We accept payment by credit card, check, and cash.
Q: What is the difference between duplication and replication?
A: Duplication, used for runs of 1000 or less, copies your data onto pre-manufactured blank media. Replication, used for runs over 1000, molds the CDs or DVDs from plastic, manufacturing them from scratch. The end result works just the same in either case. The choice between duplication and replication is a matter of quantity, not quality. This is especially true given the recent advances in on-disc printing methods. While many replication companies will write off duplication as lower quality than replication (and why wouldn’t they?), any independent source will tell you this is not the case when using high quality blank media.
Q: Is it true that duplicated discs are ALWAYS printed inkjet? / Isn’t thermal printing only capable of one color? / Doesn’t the print on duplicated discs always wear/wash/scratch off?
A: False, false, and false. Disc printing technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, and our printers are the latest and greatest. Ask for samples.
Q: What are your rates?
A: This depends completely on what your project includes and entails. For a quote please contact Jason at jason@subcat.net.
Q: Can you put my CD on iTunes or any other digital service?
A: Unfortunately most online music retailers (including iTunes) do not deal with artists directly but with distributors. Luckily, there are numerous online services out there that can perform this function for you, and affordably. If you need help finding a reputable service, contact us and we will be glad to point you in the right direction.
This is different from simply entering your album information (titles, artist name, etc) in iTunes so that it pops up when someone puts your CD in their computer. Because we have found that many artists prefer to enter this information themselves, we do not do this automatically for every order but we can certainly do it upon request, at no charge, as long as you provide us with all the correct information.
A: Both our full color and black and white discs are printed by a thermal re-transfer process. The result is an extremely durable, waterproof and scratchproof finish with a look that rivals (and quite often surpasses) commercial screen-printed discs. If your disc print is text only, we also offer high-quality inkjet printing for cost savings, however we can print text-only designs by thermal re-transfer if you prefer.
Q: Can my CDs contain copyrighted material?
A: Not without the original owners’ permission. When we receive your audio master, we will assume that all material is either original or has been cleared by the appropriate agency. It is a violation of U.S. Copyright Law to reproduce someone else’s material without their consent. It is not our responsibility to verify the copyright status of materials you submit; however, if at any point in the process it is discovered that your project contains unauthorized material, we may refuse to print your project. Please respect other artists’ intellectual and creative property. If there is copyrighted material that you wish to include on your disc, please see http://www.harryfox.com
Q: What is your return policy?
A: Simple: if you find any defects in your discs within 15 business days of receiving them, and we are unable to correct them, we will either replace them, refund your money, or give you a credit towards your next order (your choice). But don’t worry; your discs will be flawless. We haven’t had a single return yet.
Q: Will my CDs play in every player?
A: The media we use has the absolute highest compatibility rating available industry-wide and we have yet to hear from any customers experiencing problems with playback. However, it is true that some older CD players may not be able to play CD-R or will have trouble doing so. This is not a defect in the disc. If you believe the player in question should be able to play CD-R yet you are still having issues, please let us know.
Q: What happens to my audio master/art files once a project is finished?
A: Your master and artwork are kept on file for reorders, but of course we do not own your material. If you would rather we not keep your materials on file, let us know; however, keep in mind that if this is the case any future reorders will be subject to the same approval process as the original order.
Q: Do you keep my credit card number on file?
A: No. If you are paying by credit, your credit card information will need to be resubmitted each time you order. This is for your protection.
Q: Do you check for audio errors or artwork errors before press?
A: It is your responsibility to make absolutely sure that your artwork and audio are exactly as you want them before you submit your final approval to us. This is very important because your duplicated discs will be exact copies of the original master. We do our best to keep our eyes and ears out for errors, but we are ultimately not responsible for any errors due to the original audio master or artwork files once we receive your written project approval. Again, please make sure your material is exactly how you want it before you sign the approval.
Q: Is there a minimum quantity? Maximum quantity?
A: As our business is short-run duplication, there is no minimum quantity at all. Feel free to order one copy if you like. Technically, there is no maximum quantity either – however, as you get close to 1000 copies this tends to get quite expensive and may not be your most cost-effective option. This is simply the nature of short-run duplication as opposed to large-run replication. Still, we will not refuse orders of 1000 copies or higher as long as it is understood that turn times (agreed upon at time of order) will likely be somewhat longer than short-run orders.
There is an exception when it comes to offset-print packaging such as digipaks, etc., which require a minimum order of 100 pieces.
Q: I don’t have any artwork for my CD. Can you help?
A: Of course. We offer excellent in-house graphic design by Leslie Brown. The majority of our duplication customers have their artwork done by Leslie and they are always glad they did. You can contact her [here]. Ask about posters as well!
Q: What audio formats will you accept?
A: We will only accept a physical CD master when it comes to your audio. We cannot accept audio by digital transfer.
Q: What image formats will you accept?
A: You can send your art files as .pdf, or as original Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator files.
Q: Will my prints match my original artwork exactly?
A: It is common for colors to change very slightly between original artwork and finished prints. It is not likely to be noticeable without a close side-by-side comparison. If this is a concern, we can provide a printed proof by request.
Q: Can you print to the center hub of the CD?
A: Yes. In fact, this is standard, and on thermal printed discs it is not optional, so please design accordingly. Although it is difficult to imagine a scenario where less room for artwork would be preferable, we may be able to substitute non-hub-printable inkjet discs by your request.
Q: Why are the discs blue on the bottom?
A: The discs we use contain a blue cyanine dye, which allows for the maximum possible data integrity and readability. While there are media brands out there that have more of a silver look (due to a different type of dye known as phthalocyanine), they are known to be far less reliable. Still, if this is a concern, we are willing to substitute a different brand of your choice, though we can make no guarantees as to the quality of other brands. We highly recommend sticking with blue cyanine discs.
Q: Turnaround time?
A: 1-3 business days for 1-300 copies, 3-5 business days for 300-500 copies, 5-7 days for 500 and above. Approximate turn times on orders of 1000 or higher will be determined at the time of order and depend on the specifications of the project. Rush turns are also available.
Q: When should I schedule my release party?
A: Save yourself some stress and wait until you have your discs in hand before you set a release date. The majority of orders we do are time critical in one way or another and we do our absolute best to accommodate tight schedules. However, it’s best to play it safe. Is a refund really going to make up for it if you have a release party to play and no CDs to sell? Again, save yourself some stress.
Q: Do I need a barcode? What does it cost?
A: You need a barcode if you plan on selling your CD in stores or online. While many companies will charge you between $20-$30 for a barcode (One customer told us he had been charged $50 by the last company he used; this is plainly inexcusable), we charge $10 for your own unique UPC barcode for orders up to 500 copies. On orders of 500 and above, barcodes are free. Note: having a barcode does not necessarily guarantee that all stores will agree to sell your disc.
Q: Do you print barcode stickers?
A: At this time we do not. Barcodes are dropped right into your layout (where is up to you) and printed directly on paper with your artwork.
Q: Do you charge for overruns?
A: Nope! Pretty much all replication companies across the board, and even most duplication companies, reserve the “right” to charge you for every copy when they print more CDs than you asked for. On the other hand, it’s possible that they’ll print 5% to 10% fewer copies than you ordered – this is known as an underrun. We don’t like this idea, and we’d be willing to bet you don’t either. So, if we end up with some extra copies of your disc, we don’t charge you for our mistake – the extras are yours at no additional cost to you.
Q: When is my payment due?
A: We require a 100% deposit before we can begin printing. We accept payment by credit card, check, and cash.
Q: What is the difference between duplication and replication?
A: Duplication, used for runs of 1000 or less, copies your data onto pre-manufactured blank media. Replication, used for runs over 1000, molds the CDs or DVDs from plastic, manufacturing them from scratch. The end result works just the same in either case. The choice between duplication and replication is a matter of quantity, not quality. This is especially true given the recent advances in on-disc printing methods. While many replication companies will write off duplication as lower quality than replication (and why wouldn’t they?), any independent source will tell you this is not the case when using high quality blank media.
Q: Is it true that duplicated discs are ALWAYS printed inkjet? / Isn’t thermal printing only capable of one color? / Doesn’t the print on duplicated discs always wear/wash/scratch off?
A: False, false, and false. Disc printing technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, and our printers are the latest and greatest. Ask for samples.
Q: What are your rates?
A: This depends completely on what your project includes and entails. For a quote please contact Jason at jason@subcat.net.
Q: Can you put my CD on iTunes or any other digital service?
A: Unfortunately most online music retailers (including iTunes) do not deal with artists directly but with distributors. Luckily, there are numerous online services out there that can perform this function for you, and affordably. If you need help finding a reputable service, contact us and we will be glad to point you in the right direction.
This is different from simply entering your album information (titles, artist name, etc) in iTunes so that it pops up when someone puts your CD in their computer. Because we have found that many artists prefer to enter this information themselves, we do not do this automatically for every order but we can certainly do it upon request, at no charge, as long as you provide us with all the correct information.
