Replication or duplication?

  1. Home
  2. Replication or duplication?

Replication and duplication are terms referring to how your discs are manufactured. The words duplication and replication may seem interchangeable, but they are not. Here is the difference:

  • Replication is the process of creating a glass master and stamper of your data (CD Audio, CD-Rom, DVD video) then injection moulding the discs using that stamper.

  • Duplication is the process of taking blank, recordable discs (CDRs or DVDRs) and writing the information on them with a laser. 
     

Replication vs Duplication: a comparison
 

disc duplication towerDUPLICATION

Quantity
Under 100 discs.

Turnaround time
5 to 9 working days depending on packaging.

Disc production and print
Mastering-grade blank discs. Eclipse master testing. Colour-fast UV coat to disc surface. High resolution commercial grade inkjet print.

Associated print packaging
CMYK digital offset print, plastic cases associated sleeves and booklets.

Best for
Short runs, rush jobs, and demos. Blank media is a little less reliable in playback than replicated discs.
 

Replication manufacturing process

REPLICATION

Quantity
100 discs or more 

Turnaround time
2 to 4 weeks depending on packaging. Priority paid turnaround is available.

Disc production and print
A nickel stamper is created from the glass master, then placed in an injection molding line. The OGP (optical grade polycarbonate) is molded to the stamper, creating a clear substrate that contains your data. The substrate is then metallised, lacquered, then either CMYK offset printed or screen-printed.

Associated print packaging
CMYK offset print, 310gsm heavy C1S card FSC certified, 150gsm paper.

Best for
Discs intended for sale or commercial use.