Disc Duplication
This process is completely different from 'pressing' or 'replication' which we describe in our article How a CD is Made.
Although the duplication process is a simple one there are many important matters which are often overlooked. By paying attention to these matters we are able to offer improvements in service and add value for our clients.
Duplication starts with a blank recordable disc, It is then printed from the client's artwork and if requred, the client's data is written to the disc.
Let's start with the blank disc.
Many people are surprised to discover that not all CD-R's (or DVD-R's) are the same. The worst way to find out about this is to trust valuable data to cheap media and then discover that it is not retrievable when you (or your client) needs it. The problem with the cheap stuff is inconsistency. You might be lucky and get a good one - you might not.
At the other end of the scale there is the 'sledgehammer to crack a nut'. The most expensive media is intended for archive purposes and has a data life expectancy of hundreds of years.
In the middle there is a range of quality which is intended for the serious user who wants to be confident that whatever they record will be readable in the forseeable future. In this middle range the degree of consistency improves as the price rises. Towards the top of this middle range we come to media suitable for high speed duplication. And towards the top of this grouping we find the professional grade of media. Martinjohn Associates uses these discs exclusively. Our bulk buying arrangements enable us to offer our clients the benefits of excellent media at prices approaching that of the less reliable alternatives. This is the first step in the value chain. Really good blank media.
Next The Printable Surface.
Whilst some of our duplicated media is screen printed; most is printed digitally. The quality of printable surfaces available to us also varies tremendously. Again, our policy is to go for the best quality. It yields the best results having exactly the right degree of ink adhesion and avoiding colour bleed. Of course the same applies to the ink. We don't use cheaper substitutes which give poor results. Substandard materials yield substandard results and we will not supply them. That's the next step in the value chain, the right printing surface and the right ink for the job.
The Printing Process
You may have seen poor quality digital printing and decided it's not for you. It's not for us either. We frequently have to explain to prospective clients, who have been put off by badly printed discs, that our digital processes give excellent results. We are proud of our printing, you will be too. Our print is not dull; it does not exhibit banding; it does not bleed. It looks great. You can present your product as high quality and your business as professional.
Duplication
All the previous attention to detail would be wasted if we did not follow through to the end. The last link in the value chain is the professional equipment we use to to duplicate your data and our uncompromising zero tolerance quality policy. The high speed drives are well maintained and programmed to run at optimum speed. And here's the clincher: every disc is 100% tested before it leaves our factory.
Our Print First Policy
Because we can print the media in advance of burning the data you can gain valuable time. This service can help you to recover lost development time and achieve the deadline you thought had become impossible.
Conclusion
We offer excellence: hassle free production, exceptional data reliability and a finished product that you can be proud of. So does it cost more? In money terms, probably a few pence more but it depends on your point of view. Hardly any one buys important things from the bargain basement: and the wise know the difference between price and value. We offer unbeatable value - and our clients are wise.
04 January 2008 at 13:23:01
