CD Duplication is the industry standard manufacturing procedure for short CD production runs (up to 499 units).

CD Duplication Introduction

Often used when a CD is being duplicated for the first time, CD Duplication is a cost-effective way to manufacture CDs without going through the expensive set-up costs that pressing a CD using the CD Replication process would bring. By removing the costs of glass mastering (which is required for a pressed CD), CD Duplication enables you to manufacture your disc professionally without having to get too large a quantity made.

The CD Duplication Process

We can provide you with the highest quality, durable, shop-ready audio CDs. These are professionally printed direct to the disc surface using either Digital Thermal Retransfer printing, UV-Coated Inkjet Printing or Silkscreen printing, duplicated using the latest technology and packaged in a wide variety of cases and wallets. We can even include barcodes and plastic over-wrapping. Your audio will be duplicated perfectly, including ISRC data, P&Q information, advanced copy protection and CD text; the highest quality CD Duplication available.

Using CD Duplication to Test a Market

CD Duplication is an ideal way of testing the water with a new CD. For example, a company producing promotional CDs could duplicate as little as 50 units to test the market. Likewise, a band making their first album could produce a small number to begin with to sell, before putting the profits raised by their CD duplication towards a CD Replication run. Businesses can also test the water, producing a short run as a test before rolling out larger quantities.

CD Duplication for Niche Products

Of course, CD Duplication is not only for those testing the water. Some niche products will only ever sell small quantities and some products are designed to be given away. CD Duplication is ideal for both these purposes too.

We have duplicated CDs for many happy customers who fit this profile. Music CDs for bands and independent artists, software, corporate training CD-ROMs and hypnosis CDs are just a few of the different purposes for which CD Duplication has been found to be preferable to CD Replication.

How Does CD Duplication Work?

CD Duplication is the process of copying small quantities (up to 499) CDs. In order to do this we take a CD master disc, supplied by you. This is usually a CD-R with the finished work burnt onto it using a high quality disc and a CD burner. It is important that this is done correctly so that errors are not duplicated with the data. We offer a full Audio CD Mastering service if you need this process done for you in a professional way.

Once we have received your master CD, we extract an image of the CD onto a hard disc. From there, we burn the image onto grade A quality, printable CD-R discs using our industrial CD-burning machines. These machines are capable of extracting, duplicating and error-checking many CDs at once in a highly reliable way. The process is automated and the CDs come off the production line ready to be printed.

How Long Does CD Duplication Take?

Depending on the quantity and the packaging involved, CD Duplication can take anything between 2 and 10 working days. However, there are many factors that can affect your lead time.

The most common issue for delaying the completion of your CD Duplication job is artwork issues. If you require our artwork services to design or set up your artwork, your job will be subject to variations in demands on our artwork team’s time. Artwork jobs, depending on complexity, can take anything from a day to several months to complete. Factoring in this extra time before the CD Duplication process begins is a wise move.

Other factors that can affect the delivery of your CD Duplication project include seasonal variations in demand (sometimes we are busier than others), defective master discs and any changes you might make to your job specification or delivery address.

Can I Do CD Duplication At Home?

If you purchase an industrial standard CD Duplication machine, you too can duplicate CDs. You will also need a CD printer if you want to print high quality images onto your newly duplicated CDs. If you then require booklets and inlays printed, you should be able to arrange this with a local high street printer.

Many people find, however, that it will actually cost more to do this than to get us to duplicate their CDs for them!

CD Duplication at The Little Bazaar

At The Little Bazaar we source the best production process, tailor made for your CD Duplication job. We will use the most appropriate printing process for your discs and for your paper parts. This might include thermal printing, UV-coated ink-jet printing, thermal re-transfer printing, digital printing or silkscreen printing for your discs. It might include indigo press or lithographic printing for your booklets and inlays.

We will duplicate, print and package your CDs in a case of your choice, give you professionally printed booklets and inlays, pack everything together and even give you a bar-code and cello-wrap your finished product. We will then dispatch them to you by next day courier.

So, get a quote today for the various specifications and quantities you are interested in for your CD Duplication project.. Then, scan through the text in your quote email to the link to your artwork templates and tutorial videos. Set up your artwork, place your order, send us your material and let us take care of the rest!

We look forwarding to working with you on your CD Duplication project at The Little Bazaar.

CD Duplication FAQs

What type of CD printing do we use?

We use digital thermal re-transfer imaging, UV-Coated Inkjet printing and Silkscreen printing, depending on which is best for the CD artwork. We are capable of producing durable, photo-realistic images and high-resolution graphics, or simple text and logos, at an affordable price.

Do we need to supply you with a mastered disc, or can we send you something that has not been mastered to duplicate CDs?

It is highly recommended to only duplicate a properly mastered disc. If you can't supply us with a mastered disc, send us your mixes and we can master it for you.

Can we duplicate CD-ROMs or formats other than Red Book?

Yes. We will make exact copies of whatever you give us, as long as they do not exceed 80 minutes or 700MB in total.

When is it better to use CD Replication, rather than CD Duplication?

Generally, if you are making 500 units +, it is better to go for CD Replication. For 50-499 units, we duplicate CDs.