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Duplication Vs Replication – Which one is the right option?

shiran de soysa — Sun, 12 May 2019 10:39:00 +0000

Replication vs duplication? – It’s one of the most commonly asked questions at Implant Media. Many companies offer one or the other but as we do both CD, DVD, Blu-Ray duplication and CD, DVD, Blu-Ray Replication and a specialist for both. The decision which is the right one for you, its best to understand exactly what duplication and replication are in regard to optical media.

CD Duplication

At its most basic, duplication is the burning of optical media. Blank CD-R’s, DVD-R, or Blu-Ray-25-R are burnt using duplication towers using CD-Burners to transfer the data on to the media. A master disc is used and copies of that are made through the burning process. The media can then either be printed. There are a few different ways the media can then be printed but at Implant we offer 3, direct to disc inkjet, Black Thermal Film and in special circumstances, we can screen-print the discs. The method used will depend greatly on your artwork, but the vast majority of discs are direct to disc inkjet printed as this produces vibrate colourful discs with the easiest to set up artwork.

CD Replication

The replication process involves moulding disc with data rather than burning them. A plastic polymer is injected moulded with a polycarbonate that is stamped with a glass master that has been created in the master process to transfer the data onto the media. These discs can then be printed either through screen-printing or offset printing. The completed process is quite complex and more information on it can be found here

Each process has its advantages and disadvantages – but the right one to chose really comes down to how many units you need and how much time you have for your project. At Implant duplication is available from 10 units to 500 units, and replication is only available form 500 units. This is because of the cost involved in the setup for replication it does not become economically viable to offer them a lower volume. But once these setup costs have been recouped after the 500 units and because the replication process is faster per discs than the duplicated process amount over this the replicated discs are much more economical to produce and that’s why if you want larger runs of media we would normally recommend replication. The lead time is the other deciding factor that needs to be taken into consideration. The industry standard lead time for duplication is 2-3 days while the lead time for replication is 7-10 working days. This is the same for Implant Media but under the right circumstances, we can produce duplication CD and DVD media the same days as artwork and masters are supplied. There are a few other factors that can come into play, such as the print process differing from each other and the range of packaging available for either option but this is secondary to lead time and cost. In Summary Duplication for runs under 500 units or for media runs that you need in a hurry. Replication for runs 500 and over when you have enough time to produce them this way (7-10 days) The most important thing you can do is call Implant Media for your next project and talk to one of our experts, we have the right solutions so that we can get the most out of your budgets time frames and needs to get the best Duplication and Replication projects in Australia.

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Photoshop tutorial – Vinyl / CD + DVD Duplication / CD + DVD Replication / Print

shiran de soysa — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 23:48:58 +0000

Photoshop tutorial – Learning the basics of setting up artwork for printing at Implant Media

Setting up your artwork correctly from the get-go will help you achieve the best print results. It also means a smooth process for your order and will mean that there aren’t any delays for time-sensitive orders such disc replication and vinyl pressing.

Let’s go through the basic steps to setting up your artwork for print.

Start by downloading the correct template from www.implant.com.au/templates. In Photoshop go to File > Open.

A dialogue box ‘Import PDF’ will appear.

1. Under ‘Page Options’ on the right-hand side enter a title.

2. Leave the width and height settings as they are (TIP: all of our templates are set up at 1:1 scale, you don’t need to re-size them).

3. Set the resolution to 300 pixelsinch (TIP: 300 dpi (dots per inch aka pixels per inch) is the standard resolution for most printing. Images made for displaying on screens only are usually at 72 dpi. This is why if you print an image downloaded from the internet the print will look pixelated).

4. Set the colour mode to CMYK. This will limit you to colours that are achievable using CMYK printing processes (TIP: The majority of printing is done using a 4 colour process: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (K). The RGB colour mode is for creating art that will be displayed on screens. If you set your colour mode to RGB you’ll be able to use colours that are impossible to print using the 4 colour printing process).

5. Press ‘OK’.

6. Go to the ‘Layers’ panel and create a new layer above Layer 1.

7. Create your artwork in the new layer. (TIP: if the template shows bleed make sure the background of your artwork extends into the bleed area. This area will be cut off in the die cutting guillotining process).

Here’s an Artwork Specs pdf with some useful explanations of the terms mentioned above:

You’re now ready to start making beautiful artwork that will look crisp and clear when printed!

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The Vinyl Revival / Collecting records Is it over?

shiran de soysa — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 04:29:41 +0000

For the last few years there has been the surge in the collecting of records, both new and old, and due to this an increased demand on vinyl pressing factories and facilities. Before the revival began most of the vinyl pressing’s being produced were for small labels and independent artists looking to do something different or to release vinyl as a vanity project more than an economic endeavour. There was plenty of capacity at the pressing plants and lead times for new titles were in the 3-4 week range, making it easy for the labels and artist to manage their releases and even negotiate better pricing. The issue that many smaller labels now face with the vinyl revival is that with the new increased demand for vinyl at a consumer level the majors’ labels got on board and have put extra demands on the vinyl factories. With the vinyl revival a lot of the capacity of the presses is being taken up with reissues of popular releases and of pressing of titles for popular commercial artists (think Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars) who’s run sizes may run into the many 10s of thousands, so vinyl factories are much more likely to prioritise this type of work, and rightly so, that the runs of 100 to 300 that most smaller labels request. This means independent releases are pushed out with lead times in the 12 – 16 weeks and can constantly be delayed making scheduling releases dates and promotional tours difficult at this level. It also means the the price of vinyl has gone up, what get passed along to the consumer, which in term means the small volume runs are more expensive and therefore less desirable to people purchasing vinyl. When given the choice between a well know artist and an unknown at a more expensive price 9 times out of 10 the purchaser will go for the former. So for smaller labels and independent release you could say that the vinyl revival is over but a better way to think about it maybe that the vinyl revival killed itself.

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