Benchmark Multimedia - CD and DVD - To Duplicate or Replicate

To Duplicate or Replicate?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions in our industry. Should I replicate or duplicate my discs? Unfortunately, there's no simple answer because every project is unique. Below, we have given a brief overview of each production process and developed a comparison chart to highlight some of the significant differences in the production processes.



CD/DVD Duplication - During the duplication process your video, music or data files are 'burned' onto recordable discs (CD-Rs and DVD-Rs)		CD/DVD Replication - During the replication process your video, music or data files are 'stamped' into an injection molded disc.
Recommended for short runs of up to 1000 pieces.	Quantity	Recommended for larger runs of 1000+ pieces.
Standard turn time for CDs and DVDs is 2-3 days, but same day is possible. So if you need your discs fast then duplication is the solution.	Lead Time	Standard turn time is 8 days for CDs and 10 days for DVD5s.
Per unit costs are higher than replication because it's a more labor intensive process. However, for small quantities it's actually cheaper than replication due to the minimal set up costs.	Price	Per unit costs are lower than duplication for higher quantity runs because it's a one phase process. Your data is built into the disc.
Low - because your video, music or data files are 'burned' onto recordable CD-Rs/DVD-Rs using a laser recorder.	Set Up Costs	High - this is due to the cost of creating the 'stamper' which 'stamps' your data into an injection molded disc. Some companies set minimum runs of 1000 pieces to help cover the costs of creating the 'stamper'.
Determined by the quality of the recordable discs used and the quality control procedures adopted. We only use the highest quality recordable media - Taiyo Yuden and verify every disc 'burned' by our duplication equipment.	Quality	Most retail CDs and DVDs are replicated.
Most newer DVD players and computers will play CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, however, older DVD players and CD players might not.	Compatibility	Play back issues are rare.
We offer inkjet and thermal transfer on our duplicated discs.	Disc Printing	We use offset printing as standard unless your artwork contains PMS/Spot colors often used in corporate logos, in which case discs are silkscreened.

Conclusion: If you need your discs fast or you only require a small quantity then duplication is the best option, but if you need a large number of discs and you can allow for lead times then replication is the preferred option.

If you're still unsure please call us 1-888-834-4401 and we'll help you decide what process will work best for your next project.