Eco 'dustbin' project

What's the difference ? Its easiest to think of a 'Pressed' CD or DVD as being similar to an old fashioned vinyl record.

Records are made from black molten plastic and the music is 'moulded' into the groove at the point of manufacture. A CD or DVD is made in a similar way.

In simple terms a 'mould' is made with your data etched into it from your CD or DVD master disc. This part of the process is commonly known 'Glass Mastering'.

Once the mould has been produced it is then used to make your CDs or DVDs. Molten polycarbonate is forced into the mould and then cooled. The reflective layer is added which in turn is coated with a protective lacquer. Each disc is quality checked and the resulting CD or DVD is then ready for screen or litho printing which is an integral part of the production process.

See also:

• Case Studies

• CD Replication

• DVD Pressing

Ideal for larger runs. 'Pressed' CDs or DVDs do not have a separate recording process. The media is actually manufactured with your data, music or video on it which is great if your job requires lots and lots of copies. 'Pressing' is a mass manufacturing process and once the glass master has been made and your job setup, many thousands can be produced per day.

Low Cost. If you are producing more than say 500 discs you will start to see significant unit cost reductions, and the more you order the bigger your saving. Your savings come from the setup costs for the mastering, molding & printing being spread over a large number of discs, and the actual manufacturing process being simpler than burning 'recordable' media once setup.