Short runs (fewer than 300 copies) are made using digital technology. The discs are burned and then printed using thermal or ink jet equipment and the paper documents (insert sheets, folders, jackets) are printed using color laser printers. Print runs over 300 are factory produced. The discs are pressed (replicated) and then printed using either silkscreen or 5-color offset (CMYK + white background) and the paper documents are printed on offset presses (CMYK).
Whether you want a large or a small quantity, the material you send us is what determines the final quality. We suggest that you read the page entitled “Technical summary.”
Here are some guidelines that will help you:
- You must design your graphics layouts using our templates. Templates from other manufacturers may be different. Standards and models vary from one factory to another.
- Your layouts must conform to print industry standards. Crop marks and folding marks must be clearly indicated.
- Your layouts must also include bleed in order to ensure a quality finish.
- Our preferred file format is high resolution PDF, but we can also accept files from Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.
- Make sure that all the images that you use in your documents are in CMYK format and have a resolution of 300 dpi. Image captures taken from the Internet are not precise enough to produce quality results.
- If you are planning on thermal printing for your discs, choose images that include a wide range of colors. Avoid large blocks of solid colors — the system doesn’t handle them as well.
- In order to avoid any errors, all of the fonts must be vectorized in any files you send us.
- Minimum font size for offset printing is 6 points and for silkscreen and digital printing it’s 8 points.
- You should count on additional charges and longer turnaround time if you want a physical proof copy prior to mass production.
- Reproduction of Pantone colors cannot be guaranteed when printing digitally.
- All printing to paper is done on two-side coated paper
- Both color thermal and silkscreen printing produce a glazed finish on discs. Inkjet and offset printing produce a matte finish
- For some products, both matte and glazed finishes are available. There are additional fees.