What is the difference between replication and duplication?
Duplication refers to the process of taking an existing blank CD-R or DVD-R disc and burning information onto that disc much the same way you copy CDs on your computer. The towers that are used for our duplication projects perform an evaluation of your master disc to check for read and write errors and then make an exact duplicate. This is the best option if you have small quantities or need a quicker turnaround time to meet a deadline. Typical production time for duplication is three business days. Replication refers to the manufacturing process that starts with raw material to manufacture your discs from scratch. Your original disc is evaluated for read and write errors, followed by the production of a glass master of your disc. This glass master is then used to create a stamper, which is mounted on the machine that uses heat and pressure to mold your discs one at a time. This is the highest quality of disc manufacturing, but is only cost effective for 1000 discs or more. Replication is the best option if you want larger quantities (500 pieces or more) and if you’re not in a time-crunch.
What are your graphic design specs?
For best results, the minimum resolution for all art files is 300 dpi (dots per inch) at 100%. We can accept the following formats for upload: PDF, TIFF, JPEG, Photoshop EPS, or a Photoshop PSD. Please be certain to include all supporting fonts with your files. Full color artwork should be in CMYK, and black and white artwork should be in Grayscale. RGB files are not accepted. Do not convert fonts to curves, because this can severely limit the quality of the type and will not trap well. We recommend that you confirm the final trim size and make sure that you have sufficient bleed (the image extending 1/8-inch beyond the crop marks on the template) and an acceptable safety margin (1/8-inch inside the crop marks on the template). Minimum font size for all printed materials is 7pt. Regarding the discs themselves, we recommend at least an 8pt type for text to be printed on disc faces. You should also try to use readable type that does not have tiny lines or curls on the font face (such as a “handwriting” type of font) because they can be difficult to read. Another thing to remember is to keep the type at lease 3/16 away from the edge of the disc. Otherwise it may be cut off if the discs shift slightly during the printing process.
It states on your website that your replication prices include up to three colors on the discs, but how do I know if my disc face artwork is only three colors?
For the most part, it depends on the program you are using to design the disc artwork. Some programs, such as Photoshop, can only create artwork in full color (CMYK) or black and white (Grayscale), but other programs such Illustrator and InDesign allow you the ability to create three colors separately, which are referred to as “spot” colors. When we check in your artwork and it is determined that the disc face art is comprised of more than three colors (such as CMYK), we will contact you immediately to go over the different options that you will have before we proceed with your order. If your disc artwork needs to be more than three colors, there is no need for concern. The extra cost to add full color to your discs is significantly less than what most of our competitors will charge. By the way, all replicated discs are silver when they are manufactured. If you prefer a white disc rather than a silver disc, you will need to request that a “white flood coat” be applied to the disc face before your artwork gets printed on the discs. The white flood coat counts as one of the three colors that are included in our replication prices, but it can really enhance your artwork.
If I use the same artwork for my disc and insert, will the color match?
No, it will not match, mainly due to the fact that there are two different materials that are printed - paper (inserts, Digipaks, cardboard sleeves) and plastic (the discs themselves). The art on the disc face will not match the art from the insert because the machinery that is used (as well as the materials that are printed) are different. We recommend that you do not intend to match the disc and the insert to avoid any confusion. If you still want to use the same artwork for design reasons, no problem, but please be aware that they will not match.
How much space should I leave for a barcode on my replication project?
You should leave a space that is at least 1.25” x .5” for the barcode. We recommend that you create a white box with those dimensions, which will not only tell us where you would like the barcode to be located, but it will give you a better idea of what the finished product will look like. In the event that you don’t like the placement of the barcode, you can move it around to your liking before submitting the artwork to us. The traditional location of the barcode is on the back of the finished product, usually in the lower right-hand corner or the lower left-hand corner.
Do you accept other forms of payment besides credit cards?
At this time, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) through Google Checkout and PayPal are the only acceptable payment methods. We feel that this is the fastest way to get your project underway. No having to wait for checks to clear...
Are transactions on your site secure?
All transactions are handled through PayPal and Google Checkout, not at the Second Encore website. But to answer the question, the answer is yes. During checkout, PayPal and Google Checkout use SSL with 128-bit encryption, which makes all transactions completely secure. After finishing the checkout process, you may get a message that you are leaving secure pages.
Why do you require a 100% prepay on your orders?
Although we used to require a 50% deposit, we have found that due to the fact that most orders are paid by credit card and the order ships directly to the customer within a couple of weeks, it actually makes the process a lot easier by not having to hassle with two different payments (50% down and 50% on completion of order). Back when we had the 50% deposit policy, most clients wound up paying 100% up front anyway.
Where do I enter my shipping information for my order?
You will be given the opportunity to all of your shipping information during the checkout process.
Can you ship to P.O. Box addresses?
No. Our carriers (UPS and FedEx) cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes, only residential and physical business addresses.
Can I place an order from anywhere in the world?
Yes, but we only ship to the USA and Canada.
How can I contact you?
You can send us an email at info@secondencore.com or call us at 1-888-288-4406 between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM, Monday through Frday. If you get our voicemail (which will probably happen because we're on the phones a lot), leave a message and we will return your call within 24 hours.
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