SERVICES

Replication

Diagram of CD layers
A. A polycarbonate disc layer has the data encoded by using bumps
B. A reflective layer reflects the laser back.
C. A lacquer layer is used to prevent oxidation
D. Artwork is screen printed on the top of the disc.
E. A laser beam reads the polycarbonate disc, is reflected back, and read by the player.

 

Disc Manufacturing Process

First a glass master (a positive image of the desired CD surface, with the desired microscopic pits and lands) is made, using a high-powered laser on a device similar to a CD writer.
After testing the glass master, it is used to make the nickel stamper (a negative image of the glass master).
The stamper then goes into a press and the physical image is imposed onto the polycarbonate disc layer, leaving a final positive image on the disc.
A small amount of lacquer is then applied as a ring around the center of the disc, where after fast spinning ensures that it is spread evenly over the surface.
Finally edge protection lacquer is also applied to the disc, which can then be printed and packed.

Replication vs. Duplication

Duplication	Replication
Starting with blank recordable discs, discs are duplicated by "burning" your data onto them.	Starting with a glass master, your discs are replicated by "stamping" your data into molten plastic as they are molded.
Some drives are unable to read recordable media Duplicated discs drop data after a certain amount of use Not all the duplicated discs will work, so they must be tested Disc Cliché is usually printed with Inkjet or Label stickers	Compatible with all drives Suitable for retail All discs will work and are exact replicas of the initial master Cliché printed with professional offset or silkscreen printing

The Bottom Line...
Duplication
Although duplicated discs are great for short runs, some CD and DVD drives have trouble reading recordable media. Recordable media is also vulnerable to sunlight, therefore exposing the disk to direct sunlight for long periods of time may render the disk unreadable.

Replication
Generally, retail discs and discs that are widely distributed are replicated discs. They are tough and compatible, having none of the disadvantages of duplicated recordable discs.