You've just finished developing your Captivate eLearning course. The lessons have been published and are ready to be deployed. At this point, Captivate developers generally choose from one of three options for the final destination for their eLearning content:
- Post the published lessons to a Learning Management System (LMS)
- Post the lessons to a web server or intranet
- Copy the lessons to a CD or DVD
If you copy your Captivate lessons to CDs, there are two distinct types of processes used to make CDs: duplication and replication. Ever wonder about the difference between the two processes? Read on...
Duplication is the process of burning content onto blank media. This is the process most people are familiar with. Duplication is convenient and can be cost-effective if you need a small number of copies. If you need the CDs labelled, there are duplicators that can print directly on the discs, or you can create labels from a software program and apply them to the discs yourself. One major drawback of duplication? The cost per CD could easily be more than $2 each. And the duplication process can be slow.
For higher-volume needs, CD replication is the most efficient process. CD replication is the molding of CDs from raw materials on fully automated molding lines. The high-speed ability of the machinery combined with the integrated computer quality check systems assures CD replication with perfect quality. Major record labels, software titles, etc. are made through this process. For medium-sized orders to the largest volume production, there is no better alternative than CD replication. Printing capabilities are endless. Replicated discs are directly printed using a silkscreen or offset print process. The result: beautiful, high quality CDs at a fraction of the cost of duplication. For instance, if you print a large enough volume, you could lower the cost per replicated CD down to 40 or 50 cents.
Duplication or Replication?
Duplication or Replication?
How do you determine which is the right process for you? It's really just simple math. If you need more than 500 CDs, replication is the best option, hands down. You'll get better quality results for less money.
About the Author: Mindy Nieland works for Multi-Media Publishing and Packaging, Inc. For over 20 years, Multi-Media has provided manufacturing services such as CD duplication & CD replication, DVD duplication & DVD replication, creative packaging, printing, assembly and fulfillment.
Nice post.
I would like to add:
Few Major Differences between CD Duplication And Replication
1. While replication refers to the process of making CD or DVD from glass stampers, duplication refers to making CD or DVD by burning data onto easily available recordable media.
2. Replication process can be done only under temperature and dust controlled environment. But, duplication can be carried out in any normal environment such as in the office or at home with the help of CD burners and popular software.
3. Typically, a replication process is considered for runs larger than 1,000 copies, while duplication is usually done for limited or urgent jobs.
4. The discs produced with the process of replication are also of higher quality then that by the process of duplication.
Posted by: Liquid Bubble Duplication | August 06, 2008 at 08:03 AM
thanks for the post and the comment regarding differences. :)
Posted by: dvd replication | March 21, 2009 at 01:50 AM
If you have the funding and the piece of work you have created is copy protected and highly professional, then creating your CD through injection molding is a good, but expensive option.
Posted by: Joe @ cd replication | February 24, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Thanks for the blog.
CD Duplication produced CD is cheaper but has less quality than CD developed from the Replication process.
Posted by: Elie | January 07, 2013 at 04:44 AM