Four Advantages of CD Duplication over CD Replication

New indie musicians who are about to release their first album encounter a lot of technical terms during CD Manufacturing. The CD manufacturing company will ask them to choose between CD replication and CD duplication. Most musicians do not even know the meaning of either, how much more their difference. If you’re this new and clueless, I suggest you go for CD duplication.

Here are some of the reasons why I always suggest CD Duplication to first-timers:

Fast Turnaround

If you’re going to order 500 CDs or less, it would only take less than 24 hours for the CD manufacturing company to duplicate your material. If you want to have it replicated, it will usually take three weeks before you receive your CDs.  That is because CD replication involves more steps compared to CD duplication which is pretty much like burning a CD from your computer. It doesn’t matter that much if you have plenty of time til the CD release, but if you’re two weeks away, go for CD duplication.

Quality is almost the same

If you listen to the same music from a replicated CD and a duplicated CD, I assure you that you cannot tell the difference. Even the professionals find it really hard to distinguish which is which. But the advantage of replication over duplication is that replicated discs have no issues with playing back in older CD players. 

 Cheaper for orders less than 500

If you only have to order 300 CDs and you’re not sure it will be sold out soon, don’t replicate. If you choose to replicate, the price per item is much higher. CD replication is only a good option if you’re making 5,000 or more.

Smaller order to test the reliability of chosen CD Manufacturing Company

Oh yes. This one is very important. If you still haven’t found a reliable CD manufacturing company (which I assume you haven’t because it’s your first-time unless you happen to work for another band before), then don’t trust them too much. That means, don’t give them a lot of money. That means you should only order 100 items or less to test if they’re any good. Because…

You can just order more if needed

Many CD duplication companies now manufacture as few as 50 pieces so there’s no pressure for you to order plenty right away. If it is your first time to release an album, 300 is a good number. When you only have fifty CDs left, just give your company a call for more CDs.

But of course, here are some things you won’t get if you choose CD duplication over CD replication:

Professional look 

Replicated CDs have a metallic silver bottom giving it a sophisticated look. Duplicated discs, on the other hand, have a greenish/bluish tint on the bottom which makes it look like a regular CD burned from a regular computer. If this matters to you and if you think this matters to your market, then you know what to do.

Quality On-Disc Printing

Replicated discs have more vibrant on-disc art compared to duplicated discs because replication utilizes either silkscreen or offset printing which produces higher quality prints than those offered by inkjet or thermal printing in CD duplication.

If this is your first time and you’re still testing the waters, the safest route is CD duplication. If you’re so confident and you’re not scared to lose money, go for CD replication.

I own a CD duplication company that offers very cheap options for CD duplication and CD packaging. Visit our site www.unifiedmanufacturing.com and chat with Sarah or just contact me directly at james@unifiedmanufacturing.com.