FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Artwork

What is offset printing?
Answer: It is a printing technique that employs 4 standard colors - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Also known as 4-color process or CMYK printing.

What is silk screen printing?
Answer: It is a printing technique in which artwork is converted into screens and ink is forced down through the screens onto a CD or DVD. Ideal for single color projects or ones in which the artwork contains PMS colors.

What disc printing options are available for duplication?
Answer: We offer thermal transfer printing.

What is a PDF proof?
Answer: This low resolution file is intended for layout and type verification NOT color matching. It is a reflection of the files submitted.

Are physical proofs possible?
Answer: Yes but there is a charge for the generation of physical proofs.

What does 4/0 mean?
Answer: It indicates 4 color process printing on one side and white on the other side.

What does 4/1 mean?
Answer: It indicates 4 color process printing on one side and black and white printing on the other side.

What does 4/4 mean?
Answer: It indicates 4 color process printing on both sides.

What is bleed?
Answer: Bleed is the area on a printed piece that will be cut off so that the finished piece does not have white borders.

What is a template?
Answer: A template provides the framework and dimensions for a design.

Which design software should I use when creating my artwork?
Answer: Please use a program we support (Quark, InDesign, PDF, TIFF, Illustrator or Photoshop)

How should I send my artwork to you?
Answer: You can send your files to us on a CD with a print out for reference purposes or you can upload your files to our ftp site and send us the print out with your master.

How should I prepare my images?
Answer: All images should be CMYK and 300dpi

Do you need the fonts I used in my artwork?
Answer: Please include all supporting elements such as embedded images, photos and fonts.

What is the smallest font size I can use for disc artwork?
Answer: We suggest using 7 point type or larger on disc artwork.

What is a water base coating?
Answer: It is a clear protective coating.


CD & DVD Production

What is the difference between Duplication and Replication?
Answer: During the duplication process your video, music or data files are ‘burned’ onto recordable discs (CD-Rs & DVD-Rs) using a laser recorder whereas during the replication process your video, music, or data files are ‘stamped’ into an injection molded disc.

What is a DVD5?
Answer: A DVD5 is a single layer DVD that has a capacity of 4.7GB. It’s the most widely used format for DVD replication.

What is a DVD-R?
Answer: It’s a recordable DVD format. A DVD-R has a capacity of 4.7GB and can only be written once but read many times.

What is a CD-R?
Answer: It’s a recordable CD format. A CD-R has a capacity of 650 or 700MB and can only be written once but read many times.

What is the lead time for replication?
Answer: Our standard lead time for replication is 8-10 working days.

What is the lead time for duplication?
Answer: Our standard lead time is 3 working days but we offer a same day or next day service.

What CD and DVD recordable media do you use?
Answer: We use Taiyo Yuden recordable media.

How many ‘master’ copies should I send with my project?
Answer: We recommend that you send 2 copies of your master to us with your project.

What is a glass master?
Answer: It’s a glass disc etched with data that is used to create the stamper. The creation of a glass master is the first step in the injection molding process.

What is a stamper?
Answer: A stamper is a nickel disc used to mold CDs and DVDs.

What are overages?
Answer: To ensure the highest quality, each of our replicated discs is tested during manufacturing. Those discs that do not meet our quality standards are rejected and need to be replaced. Therefore, we produce an additional 5% to ensure that we have sufficient discs to complete your order.

What is polywrap?
Answer: A clear plastic film that is used to enclose CD and DVD packaging.

What is an amaray case?
Answer: It is a plastic case that is widely used for DVD packaging. Most DVDs in retail stores are packaged in amaray cases.

What is the time limit for a CD?
Answer: We recommend 76 minutes for maximum playback compatibility.

What is the time limit for a DVD?
Answer: There is not one. A single layer DVD has a capacity of 4.7GB. You can compress your file(s) to fit as much as you want on a DVD but the more you compress the file(s) the more the quality deteriorates.

What is a traycard?
Answer: It is a printed piece that is inserted behind the tray in a jewel case. It has ‘spines’ that fold up the sides of the case.

What is a white flood?
Answer: It is a white base coat of ink that is applied to the silver surface of a CD/DVD. Its purpose is to make the colors printed on it more vibrant.

What is a 2 Panel Insert?
Answer: It is a printed piece (4.75” x 4.75”) that is placed behind the tabs in the front of a jewel case.

What is a 4 Panel Insert?
Answer: It is a printed piece with 4 panels that is folded and placed behind the tabs in the front of a jewel case.

What is a DVD case wrap?
Answer: It is a printed sheet that is inserted behind clear cover on the outside of an amaray case. It ‘wraps’ round the front, spine and back of the case.

If I’m considering using a 4/4 tray card and a clear tray for my CD project is there anything specific I should consider when developing my artwork designs?
Answer: Definitely. If you’re using a photo/image on the inside of your tray card (the side that will be seen behind the CD) you’ll want to consider the hub location on the CD tray and its impact on the photo/image. Also keep in mind that the entire tray is completely clear. You will be able to see some of the tray card even when the case is closed (approx. ¼” on the left).


Discs on Demand

How quickly can my CDs or DVDs be produced?
Answer: Depending on the style of packaging you require we can have your discs ready within 24 hours.

What are some of the benefits of ‘Discs on Demand’
Answer: •Rapid production extends development ‘window’ and allows you to meet even the tightest deadlines. •Time to market is quicker. •Little or no inventory on hand which minimizes risk and capital investment. •No warehousing. •Content and artwork can be updated between ‘runs’ keeping it as fresh as possible.

What type of CDs and DVDs will I receive?
Answer: You will receive professional grade CD-Rs and DVD-Rs that are printed and packaged according to your needs.

Can you ship direct to my customers?
Answer: Yes. We can drop ship orders to your customers.

Are there any minimums or set up fees?
Answer: There are no minimums or set up fees.

How can I send my files?
Answer: Time allowing, you can mail us your CD/DVD master and artwork. If you need an extremely fast turnaround you can upload your files using our Digital Drop Box.


Streaming Video

What streaming video services do you offer?
Answer: We offer the complete range of streaming videos services from the delivery of single web-ready video files to the development of streaming video sites.

What is Streaming Video?
Answer: It’s video which is being continuously provided to a viewer for playback while being delivered from a content delivery network. An advantage of using streaming video is that your viewer can fast forward or rewind to any point in your video at any time.

What is Progressive Download?
Answer: It’s an alternative to Streaming Video.

Which is better – Streaming Video or Progressive Download?
Answer: Streaming video.

What is an MP4 file?
Answer: An MP4 file or MPEG-4 Part 14 file is a format used to stream video over the Internet. It’s compatible with all MAC devices and is becoming an increasingly popular format for streaming video.

What file format do I need?
Answer: There’s no simple answer to this question. Flash files (.flv) or MP4 files are widely used but once we learn a little more about your project we’ll be able to make some recommendations.

What file formats are used for streaming?
Answer: The most widely used format is Flash Video. Other formats used include MP4, Quicktime and Windows Media Video.

What is the best encoding bit rate for web videos?
Answer: Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer because playback is determined by the viewer’s bandwidth. If you’re streaming your video then it can be encoded at different bit rates and the streaming server will detect and deliver the most appropriate video based on the viewer’s bandwidth.

Can I stream HD video?
Answer: Absolutely.


Sustainable Packaging

Do you offer FSC Certified packaging?
Answer: Some of our stock sustainable packaging solutions are FSC Certified and custom printed options can be produced using FSC Certified board.

Is the plastic used recycled?
Answer: Currently, we only offer recycled plastic trays on the Digipaks we produce.

Do I pay more for recycled packaging?
Answer: The price is the same as standard packaging the majority of the time.

What percentage of the recycled board you use is post-consumer waste?
Answer: We use 100% post-consumer recycled board.

How many of your custom printed solutions can be made from recycled materials?
Answer: Any custom printed style of packaging we offer can be made from recycled materials. This includes - CD sleeves and wallets, CD and DVD Digipaks and DVD E-Paks.

What types of inks do you use?
Answer: The inks used on custom printed packaging are vegetable based.

Do you print on recycled paper?
Answer: Yes. If your project includes a paper-based insert they can be printed on recycled paper.

Do you offer multi-disc solutions?
Answer: We offer a broad range of sustainable multi-disc solutions.

Is there an alternative to polywrap?
Answer: We offer an alternative called a wafer seal.


Video Editing & DVD Authoring

What are the guidelines for designing a DVD menu?
Answer: Here's the really important information you'll need if you are designing your own DVD menu: •Final image size should be 720 x 480. •Avoid Serif fonts. •Keep horizontal lines at least 3 to 4 pixels thick. •Text should be no smaller than 18-20 point. •Overlays should be black, red, blue, or white. •If you're working on a computer be sure to look at your design on a TV. The viewable area on a TV is smaller than a computer screen so you'll need to determine the safe area and keep all buttons and text within that area. •A TV displays an image differently than a computer screen. TVs use a non-square pixel (1.0 h x 0.9 w) whereas a computers use a square pixel (1.0 h x 1.0 w).

What is encoding?
Answer: It is the process of converting your video to MPEG-2 format.

What is MPEG-2?
Answer: MPEG-2 is the broadcast quality video found on DVDs.

What is a DVD menu?
Answer: A DVD menu is an interactive screen which allows the viewer to access the video and features on a DVD.

What is DVD Authoring?
Answer: DVD Authoring is the process during which video, audio, music, motion graphics and images are used to produce a format that will playback on DVD players and computers.

Will my video be enhanced when transferred to DVD?
Answer: Unfortunately, the picture quality of your DVD will only be as good as its source.

Will my DVD be Region specific?
Answer: Not unless you request it. DVDs that we author are non-region specific or Region 0.

What Video Editing Services do you offer?
Answer: Everything from minor changes to start-to-finish edits.

Can you work from a DVD master?
Answer: We can work from a DVD master but we’d prefer to work from the original master or digital file. This is because the video on a DVD is compressed and we want your video to be the highest possible quality.

What formats can you work with?
Answer: Beta, Digital Beta, Beta SP, DVCAM, MiniDV or you can provide your files on a hard drive.

Can you author Blu-ray?
Answer: Yes, we can author Blu-ray.


Video Production

Does HD cost extra?
Answer: No. Never pay extra for HD production.

Do you shoot in HD?
Answer: Yes. We always shoot in HD unless you request another format.

If I have an idea, can you write the script?
Answer: Absolutely. Our team can lead you through the entire production process: scripting, shooting, editing and final delivery.

Does it cost extra to put my video online?
Answer: No. Once the final version of your video is approved, a web ready version can be sent to you at no extra charge.

Do I have to pay for rights for music in my video?
Answer: Buying rights to a popular piece of music can be very expensive. Generally, we recommend looking for royalty free music because it’s extremely affordable. If we can't find an appropriate piece of music we can compose a piece that fits your project. Prices for composed music vary depending on the length.

We think we need a video but we don't have a creative idea. Can you help?
Answer: This is where we excel. Simply call, e-mail or use the ‘How Can We Help’ feature on our website and a member of our creative team will contact you to discuss your project. We’ll be able to make a number of creative suggestions to you and describe production scenarios. Upon request, we can provide a creative proposal which will include a timeline and estimated costs.

Our Website can’t stream video. Can we still post our video online?
Answer: Yes. You don't need a "streaming" provider; there are simple ways for browsers to pull video from your website, using several free online players available. We’ll post a web-ready version of video and link it to your website at no additional charge.

We need to hire actors for our video. Can you find and book the actors?
Answer: Yes. We can do full casting calls or recommend specific actors we have worked with in the past if they meet the criteria for your project. We can handle all of the casting details with the talent agency.

How do we find locations for our project?
Answer: We can scout locations for you and provide images of each proposed location. If we can’t find the perfect location we can also design a set in a studio specifically for your project.

How long does it take from the idea stage to a finished product?
Answer: This is a hard question to answer. The time it takes to deliver a final product varies according to the time we spend finalizing your script, finding actors and locations, and the number of revisions required to perfect your video. With that being said, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver the highest quality videos quickly. We have written, shot and delivered videos in as few as 2 days. Whatever your deadline is - we will meet it and deliver a finished video that will exceed your expectations.


Your Website: A Guided Tour

What’s the goal of a guided website tour?
Answer: Ultimately, the goal is to turn more of the visitors to your website into active customers.

Why should I consider a guided website tour?
Answer: We all spend a great deal of time, money and effort driving visitors to our websites but we often overlook what happens once the visitors arrive. Our guided website tours make your website easy to navigate and show visitors how to find exactly what they’re looking for – eliminating any confusion or frustration. It creates a positive visitor experience which increases the likelihood that your visitor will become an active customer.

Can I have more than a single video?
Answer: We can produce as many videos as you need from a single introductory video to a series of product-specific videos.

Can you script and storyboard my tour?
Answer: Absolutely. We can work with you to develop your script and storyboard. Once we understand your goals and the areas of your website that you want to focus on, we can draft a script and develop a storyboard for review. These will be fine tuned until they’re perfect.

Can I write my own script and provide a storyboard?
Answer: No problem. You can provide the script and storyboard. Our team will review and discuss them with you to ensure we fully understand your vision for the guided tour.

Can you provide a host for my tour?
Answer: If you need an actor/actress to host your tour we can provide one for you.

Where can we shoot the video for my tour?
Answer: We can shoot the video at your location, in our studio or at a location of your choice.

How do you supply my guided tour video?
Answer: We will supply your guided tour video in whatever format you require for your website. We'll also archive a copy of the video.

How can we help?

888-834-4401

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