What is a graphic template?

A graphic / artwork template shows the size and folds of a printed piece. It is usually in the form of pdf, eps or psd. If you are just starting out with the design, download the template and use it as a guide. If you have already completed the design with another company’s template, no worries, sizes between companies are usually very similar. Our prepress department will notify you if there is any significant discrepencies. Make sure there is enough bleed beyond the trim line.

Can I trust my monitor for proofing colors of artwork?

When you receive pdf proofs via email, what are you really looking for? Our artwork approval checklist has it all, but what about proofing colors? Can we trust the colors from the monitor screen and say that’s how it is going to print? It’s an obvious and big NO-NO.

PDF proofs are meant for checking font types, images placement etc, while it gives you some indication of color, it is not at all accurate in telling how colors will turn out. Each monitor is calibrated differently and therefore the same pdf will look different on yours and the person sitting next to you.

Whether you are printing just a few or thousands CDs / DVDs, you can always request a hard copy printing proof. This is how you can accurately tell the artwork will print on the production machines, and it is the only way to correctly proof color. Artwork can be adjusted if the proof reflects color differences.

Proofing CD/DVD artwork colors

One of the biggest challenge in a replication/duplication project is making sure the artwork looks as good as it can be. It sounds straight forward but color proofing is not simple.

A few reasons to complicate matters: our monitors, most monitors are non-calibrated so colors will vary from one to the other. Therefore our pdf proof is meant for type, position and image proofing only, not for color proofing. We should not fully trust our office machine to reflect how our piece is going to look. Each printer is calibrated differently, the same piece will look different from one printer to the other.

One might ask, how do we ever get the right color? First off, if colors are important, always request a hard copy proof. It lets you look at your piece on paper, rather than the monitor, so you make the right judgement. It’ll also show how the press is going to interpret the colors in the piece. Furthermore, consider Pantone colors if there are strict color rules you have to follow. Pantone color printing usually increases the cost of printing in booklets, trays and digipaks.

Lastly – have the right expectations, in reality, each time the press prints there will be a small variation, even with the same piece.

What is CD/DVD thermal printing?

Thermal print is the technology we used on short-run CDs duplication or DVD duplication (< 500 discs). It utilizes dye-sublimation method to print directly onto the disc face, thus no labels, to achieve highest photolistic print quality for short run discs today. The print is UV stable, and the printable area goes all the way into the center of the disc.

For large run CD replication or DVD replication, offset or silkscreen printing will be used instead.

is DVD-5 the same as DVD-R?

There are 2 types of replicated DVDs:

DVD-9 is a double layer DVD with 8.5GB of storage. It is also very common for a feature length video.

DVD-5 is a single layer DVD with 4.7GB of storage. It is the most common type of DVD format.

Now, what about DVD-R and dual layer DVD-R (DL DVD-R)? These are blank media formats for duplication only, which is burning with DVD recorders. DVD-5 and DVD-9 are created by molding from glass masters, which does not involve any blank media. This is also known as dvd replication.

Tomorrow we’ll tackle the issues that everyone asks: Are replicated discs better than duplicated discs?

Shopping custom recycled CD DVD packaging

Many CD DVD replication companies boast the fact that their products are printed on ‘recycled’ stock. One has to read the fine prints to compare their recycled packaging options. A few things to look for when shopping for recycled packaging:

1. Post consumer waste: also known as “PCW”, is the preferred recycled materials because it comes from paper and cardboards that are recycled; compare it with pre consumer waste, which is paper that is disposed during the manufacturing process.

2. Percentage of recycled content: find out the proportion of recycled content in the paper stock. Read the fine print, beware of companies who claim to use recycled stock but in reality the paper used has a low percentage of recycled content.

3. Generic cases that are made of recycled materials tend to be lesser quality and less durable; therefore check a sample of cases before making your decision.

For more information on other frequently mentioned print terms, check our FAQ on eco friendly printing.

CD duplication thermal printing tips

Thermal printing is a method we use for short run CD duplication and DVD duplication. The process does not require much set up and allows capacity of up to 1000 discs per day. However as in all printing methods there are certain limitations, if they can be avoided you can make sure to get the best possible print quality.

Tips for thermal on-disc printing:

1. Gradient effect: although it may look good on offset printing, gradient on thermal sometimes results color changes that are not smooth. Try using solids, pattern or photographic image instead.
2. Thin lines: avoid lines that are thinner than 0.3 pt, the result is pixelated lines with uneven colors
3. Small fonts: keep all fonts, even the small copyright copy to at least 5 pt. Text that is too small will be hard to read and look pixelated.
4. Grays and Blacks: avoid designs containing only grays and blacks. Distinctive and contrasting colors can achieve vibrant and pleasing results.
5. No Pantone allowed: thermal printing is essentially a 4-color process, so if your design contains any Pantone spot colors it will be converted to CMYK. If there is a color you need to match, bring a sample print or let our staff know the PMS number the piece needs to match. However the colors will never be the same as the Pantone.
6. Full color images: high-resolution photographic images is the best way to showcase the photo-listic feature of thermal printing, a combination of images, solids and text achieve great results

As always if you are unsure how your design will look on thermal printer, we provide production proofs, or ask to speak with one of our printing specialist.