| Inkjet Printing | | | | artwork is transferred onto films each color |
| | | | is a separate film, with up to five colours. |
| CMYK Inkjet printers propel tiny droplets of | | | | These films are used as 'stencils' across a |
| liquid ink onto specially-coated CD-R and | | | | monofilament fabric screen, with the coloured |
| DVD-R surfaces with ability to absorb ink. | | | | inks applied through them, onto the surface |
| They are usually integrated into automated | | | | of the CD or DVD. The resulting finish can |
| robotic systems that load and deposit discs | | | | produce very vivid colours, and is especially |
| individually, allowing for unmanned operation | | | | effective at reproducing spot colours |
| after the initial setup. With a high-quality | | | | (Pantone). This may, however, leave a grainy |
| printing surface, inkjet results can be | | | | effect around text and colour gradients. |
| stunning printing in high resolution, and | | | | Silkscreen is most effective with simple |
| finished with a coating of UV-hardened | | | | designs of few colours. Please be aware that |
| lacquer that protects the finish against | | | | most companies will enforce a minimum run of |
| smudging and gives more vibrant colours. | | | | 500 units, but with very little price |
| Inkjets are ideal for small runs with | | | | difference when compared with 1,000 units. |
| photographic quality print, or when you | | | | |
| desperately need a fast job. In higher | | | | Lithographic (Offset) Printing |
| volumes the unit price does not face a | | | | |
| substantial drop, which can be uneconomical | | | | Modern offset printing is the most common |
| compared to silkscreen, or lithographic | | | | high-volume commercial printing technique, |
| printing. | | | | with a wide variety of applications. The |
| | | | printer will either have your artwork and |
| Thermal Transfer Printing | | | | layout set directly to the printing plate |
| | | | from the computer, or creates a physical |
| The thermal transfer process is based on | | | | "paste up" from your layout that they will |
| melting a coating of colored ribbon onto the | | | | expose to the plates using a process camera, |
| surface of the CD-R or DVD-R. Each printer | | | | film negatives, and chemical treatment. The |
| contains two ribbons; one containing panels | | | | plate is treated to receive an oil-based ink |
| of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Each | | | | around the print area, while the non-print |
| color is printed individually onto the second | | | | area is treated with water. The plate is then |
| ribbon- the transfer ribbon. The media and | | | | 'offset' to a rubber blanket cylinder that |
| the transfer ribbon move together beneath the | | | | applies it to the surface of the CD or DVD. |
| thermal print head, sealing the surface of | | | | This process allows for highly detailed |
| the disc with a highly durable coating 100% | | | | photographic images and small text to be |
| weatherproof and smudge free. The end result | | | | applied to the media in great quantities. |
| is a product that is highly cost-effective in | | | | Please be aware that lithographic printing is |
| small runs, with a stunning finish superior | | | | tied in with a full manufacturing process, |
| even to lithographically printed CDs or DVDs. | | | | which requires the creation of a glass |
| Because the print process is done directly | | | | master, and an extended production run, |
| from supplied PDF artwork, the set-up time is | | | | upwards of ten days. It is the ideal option |
| very quick and allows for a very fast | | | | if you need upwards of 1,000 units based on |
| turnaround for urgent jobs. With great | | | | highly detailed artwork, producing a superior |
| results, this process has become one of the | | | | finish to silkscreen printing at a relatively |
| most popular choices and feedback from | | | | comparable price. |
| clients has been overwhelmingly positive. | | | | |
| | | | We always advise our clients based on their |
| Silkscreen (Screen Printing) | | | | artwork and requirements, but hope that this |
| | | | greater understanding of the processes |
| Screen printing is a cost-effective method | | | | involved, and their benefits and drawbacks |
| for larger quantities of CDs or DVDs printed | | | | can help you make an informed decision |
| as a part of full manufacturing process, but | | | | regarding your specific project, as always we |
| can also be applied to the printing of CD-R, | | | | are here to help and answer any of your |
| 8cm CD-R/DVD-R, and 12cm DVD-R/DVD+R. Your | | | | questions. |