subject: Getting Your CD Duplication Order Started Right [print this page] 1. Basic Terms Of Business1. Basic Terms Of Business
While every CD may look identical not all CD duplication businesses operate the same way, so make sure you review the Terms Of Business for the companies you are choosing between.There are lots of important detals to consider including(but not limited to) payment requirements and methods, warranty policy,and standard turntimes.
2. Detailed Quotation
A number of years ago, the CD duplication industry as a whole had a bad reputation for'hidden charges'. Basically, clients would end up being invoiced for necessary work that wasn'tincluded inthe quotation they approved.
Thankfully this bad business practice isn't so common anymore but that doesn't mean that client's shouldn't protect themselves. Get a detailed quotation fromyour vendor and make it clear to them (in writing) that you will not pay for anything over-and-above the approved quotation that you have not approved in writing.
3. Master Disc
It seems most households these days have powerful computers and access to reasonably professional software. This has jump-started a generation of 'do it yourself' entrepreneurism where people no longer hire professionals but, instead, attempt to perform the work themselves.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with people feeling empowered to tackle new projects themselves but inexperience can cause some problems. Currentlythe CD duplication industry is witnessing this much more often when it comes to client-supplied Master content.
Common problems include:
Using compressed .mp3 files instead of higher quality .wav or .aiff
Mistakenly formatting audio/music CDs as CD-ROM (ie: data)
Incorrectly added meta-data such as CD Text and ISRC codes
Failure to thoroughly proof the Master for errors after completion
4. Graphic Design
Throughout the CD duplication industry the number one reason for order de (lays and the potential for extra charges is graphic design problems. From our experience most of the problems are caused byarelatively small variety of mistakes, so it just takes some review of the artwork specificationsshown on the companywebsite to get you started on the right foot.
Common problems include:
Using the wrong template or another company's design template
Using low resolution images
Not applying sufficient 'bleed' to the design
Not supplying font files
Not supplying linked images
5. Making Changes
As a rule, you should never submit your CD duplication order until you are absolutely sure your project assets are correct. Review and proofing should be done with your full focus and attention, and it helps to have other people review the assets aswell.
Making changes midway through a project can lead to delays that will affect your ready-by date and can also cause extra charges for work that has already been performed.In many casessuch delays will void ready-by dates previously agreed to even ifthe order is on a 'rush' basis.
