CD Duplication vs CD Replication

CD duplication is a term used to describe making small quantity copies of CDs. This technology became available in the late 1990s as a way to circumvent high production cost and quantity requirements for CD replication. CD duplication is generally done in quantities from 1-500. Any quantity in this range would fall under the short-run classification. CD duplication offers identical sound quality to a replicated CD, though there are other limitations.

A similar concept is CD publishing, in which large quantities of unique discs are produced using CD duplication technology.

Benefits
CD duplication can be used for quantities that would normally be too small for a replication run. It allows for a lower cost entry into a data or music project. It generally has a much faster turn around time than CD eplication.

Drawbacks
CDs that are duplicated do not have 100% compatibility with all audio CD players. However this limitation is shrinking every day as newer players replace older models.

Duplicated discs cost more per disc than their replicated counterparts. But when a project needs 1000 or more CDs, it is cheaper to replicate.

Some duplicated discs may have a blue/green/black burn side that makes them easily distinguishable from replicated CDs. There are diamond silver CD-Rs that look like a replicated disc.

CD Replication

CD replication is a term used to describe large quantity copying of CDs. CD replication is the industry standard for making mass quantities of a CD. Replication is done from scratch, and CD's are injection molded from plastic pellets and then are covered in reflective material and stamped with the audio information.

This is in contrast to CD duplication where CD-R technology is used to create smaller quantity runs. CD replication is done for quantities above 500. Any quantity below this range would fall under the short-run classification.

Benefits
CD replication offers a lower per disc cost on quantities above 1000. Replication offers 100% compatibility for audio and data CDs. It also allows for low priced full color coverage of the disc surface via silk screening or offset printing.

Drawbacks
Replication is a slower process and usually will take at least 2 weeks to complete. The cost is prohibitive for quantities under 500.

Click here for a List of some CD Duplicating Vendors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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