CD - DVD Replication vs CD - DVD Duplication

Many people don't really know the difference between replication and duplication in the CD / DVD industry. Media replication vs duplication each has it's pros and cons.
To understand what to choose for your needs lets explain the difference:

Replication

Starting with a glass master, your discs are replicated by "stamping" your data into melted polycarbonate as they are molded.

• Great for large quantities
• Playable on all readable devices

Starting with a glass master that contains the data for the disc, a metal stamper is formed. The stamper is loaded into a molding machine and polycarbonate is injected into the mold thereby manufacturing the disc with the data "stamped" into the disc. The mastered information is then protected by layers of polycarbonate plastic. It is then lacquered, usually screened, and ultimately packaged. Because most of this process is automated, the cost per unit becomes factored in and very affordable on orders generally greater than 1000 pieces. Normally, the data side of a replicated disc is prismatic shiny aluminum with no color in the plastic like recordable discs have.

Duplication

Starting with blank recordable discs, your discs are duplicated by "burning" your data onto them.

• Great for smaller quantities
• Quickest turn times

Starting with pre-manufactured blank recordable discs, the data is "burned" onto the discs one by one. When quantities between 25 and 900 are required, a "duplicator" is used. Your information is digitally extracted from your master source (usually a master CD-R or DVD-R) and transferred to the blank discs. Your information is typically verified and the copy then accepted or rejected. The data side of a recordable disc usually has a slight color to it, (yellow, green, blue, or purple, depending on the type of media.)

There is little difference from each of these methods on the finished product. Both processes extract the data in the exact same method. The biggest factor on choosing weather to duplicate or replicate is the quantity you want to make. Replication is generally used for quantities over 1,000 and duplication is used for anything less then that. If you have any other questions about which method to use please contact us