by Steve Cass

Created on: February 15, 2007   Last Updated: March 14, 2007

Here's everything you need to know about getting a CD duplicated.

1) Be ready to submit high quality files or camera-ready artwork to the duplicator.

Before approaching a CD duplication company, think about getting the CD artwork concept completed by a graphic artist. Many CD duplication houses have graphic artists that they work with that can create your artwork and make it camera-ready, but you might sacrifice getting exactly what you had in your mind. If you have the time to spend, hire a graphic artist that you can work with and get your concept

artwork fleshed out before you contact the duplicator.

This includes any lyrics and the layout of the lyrics, plus all the credits and anything else in print.

Choose a graphic artist that has worked with creating art files for CD duplication houses, or at least find one that is willing to go through the process with you. The proper software and artwork formats used are critical.

The other artwork option for the project is on-disc printing. There are two basic options. If you have a design that your graphic artist is going to flesh out, know that the printing requirement from the duplicator is for the artist to specify up to three Pantone colors (for the three-color printing process), which is usually the standard option. The upgrade option is the CMYK 4-color process, which is full-color printing.

If the duplicator is on the ball and really wants your business, they'll have all sorts of forms with lists of things that are needed to submit. One of those forms is going to be to collect graphics information from the artist. You are in charge of
connecting the artist to the duplicator.

You or your artist can supply only the high quality files and the duplicator (usually) can create the camera-ready artwork for a fee.

Now that you got this far, start thinking about the type of insert you want (the place for the cover artwork, song lyrics and credits, etc.) Inserts come in as simple as 2-panel and can be as complicated as 16-panel. Stapled or folded. Poster art or individual panels. Of course the higher the fold, the higher the cost.

2) Submit an Intellectual Property Form to the duplicator

This form is a requirement of all duplication houses. All it does is tell the duplicator is that you have the right to duplicate these songs. If they are your originals, no problem. If they're cover tunes, you'll need to provide proof that you've paid the proper mechanical royalty license to the holder of the rights of the song. For more information

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