CD Replication - How are CDs made?

CD replication - How are CDs made?

When it comes to manufacturing your CDs, you normally have a choice between CD duplication and replication. If you need less than 1000 CDs, duplication would be the way to go. With this process, the manufacturer uses a pre-made disc that is capable of receiving recorded data. For disc quantities over 1000, you may have to follow a different path, that of CD replication.

So how are CDs made?

In the replication process, your data is "stamped" into an injection molded CD. From your original master, digital data is transferred to a Glass Master. This Glass Master is used to create a metal stamper which is then mounted onto disc moulding machines. In the molding process, a 4.75 (120 mm) plastic disc is created, forming a replica of the mold. This disc is then coated with molten aluminum, creating a reflective layer.

Finally, a protective laquer layer is spun onto the disc and then hardened by ultra violet light. The manufacturer then silk screens or prints a label onto the disc.

Many companies allow you a choice between providing your own label artwork or letting their graphic department design a label using your logo or whatever graphic elements you supply. Some companies have some very good turnaround times for even large amounts of CDs. Sometimes it takes less than 9 working days for thousands of CDs.

With so many companies offering CD replication services online, you want to ensure that you get a truly professional product, one that you can be proud of. I'm sure that you invested a lot of time into putting together the content of your disc. Similarly, you want to ensure that your CDs reflect your hard work.

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