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