CD Duplication vs. Replication

Duplication refers to burning a CD-R, much like you would on any home computer or in a stand-alone CD recorder. It involves writing data on an already formed disc, which can be read in most CD players. Burned CD-Rs are not guaranteed to play in every device, because there are still some stereos in every day life that were manufactured before the technology was available. This includes older car stereos (mid-nineties and before), and some CD walkmen. That being said, duplicated CD-Rs are not professional CDs, and should only be used for personal use.

That brings us to the other type of disc, a Replicated CD. Replication is an automated process that uses a process called glass mastering to create a stamper, which then imprints your data on a disc while it is being formed from raw plastic. This process produces a high quality, universally read CD that will always play in every device. A replicated disc is the same “professional” quality disc that you might buy at a major retail outlet, such as Tower Records, or Best Buy. If you have any intention of selling your CD commercially, a replicated disc is the only way to go. No retail store will carry a CD-R as they do not want to deal with the headaches of returns due to an incompatibility with a customer's stereo.

While we use the word “duplication” throughout our site, the vast majority of our services involve Replication. We do offer short-run CD duplication, however prices are not published on the site.

If you would like a quote, please give us a call at (800) 275-0575.