CD and DVD Packaging is often an afterthought, but is a critical element of any project.  With invaluable resources being invested into the development of the disc’s content, it is equally important to have an eye-catching “exterior” for a fantastic overall impression.  Countless choices exist, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. We can help guide you through the vast array of available packaging and printing options to find the ideal solution for your project.

How will the disc be distributed? This is a good starting point.  If for retail sale, shelf-appeal is extremely important, but so is size, as an industry-standard case is often preferred. If the disc is being distributed by mail, durability, weight and machinability may be primary issues. Is it being included with a book or other materials? Perhaps an adhesive sleeve makes sense.

Who will be purchasing or receiving the disc? Of course, strong and creative graphics tailored to the audience are always essential. Packaging made from recycled- materials is increasingly in demand, and is a thoughtful approach when “being green” matters.

Cost seems the primary issue for everyone these days. With the countless choices available, a great presentation can be achieved on even the most limited budget.

Feel free to call or email one of our experienced representatives for more information or a free quote. We’re good at packaging, and we’re here to help!

In the month of March, we are offering a special on Retail-Ready DVD’s.  Our Special includes DVD duplication (100 / 250) or DVD replication  (500+) with full-color disc printing, casewrap printed in full-color, DVD album, assembly, shrinkwrap, and all setup fees.   Visit our website for pricing and details:

http://twmedia.com/twms_special_2010_1.htm

Call it Murphy’s Law, fate, or just plain reality — everyone needs their product yesterday.  Here are a few things you need to know in order to avoid rush fees.

When it comes to CD Duplication or DVD Duplication, there are two processes: the printing of the disc, and the duplication of the disc.  It doesn’t matter in which order these are done.  So, as long as you know the quantity needed, we can be printing the disc (while waiting for the master), or duplicating the disc (while waiting for the artwork).  It is not necessary that both components be submitted simultaneously.  When there is a deadline looming, we can certainly get started with whatever you have ready to go.

With CD Replication and DVD Replication, there is a bit more involved, but we can still get the ball rolling. Most importantly, if the master is ready to go, we can get stampers made ahead of time. If the artwork is ready first, we can get proofs approved.

And if you’re adding in the element of Custom Printed Packaging, we can always get that on press ahead of time as well.

Bottomline, we can be working on your job, even if everything isn’t ready to go at all at once. This can save precious time and ultimately money!

If you ever mail large quantities of individual CD’s or DVD’s, our disc mailer is definitely worth checking out, because it could save you loads on postage. 

When new USPS rates and regulations came down in May of 2007, we responded by creating a cardstock disc mailer that qualifies for the cheaper automation rates.  This mailer is sturdy enough to protect your CD’s through the postal system, yet light-weight enough to qualify for the 1 oz. rate.  We applied for and received official US Postal Service approval of the mailer back then.  And the good news is that, because of this approval, our mailer has been “grandfathered-in” by the USPS even though the regulations have since changed becoming even more stringent.  Consequently, ours is one of the only disc mailers on the market today that allows you the one-ounce automated rate.

For bulk mailings of CD’s and DVD’s, this mailer has saved our clients thousands of dollars in postage.   For more detailed information, visit our online brochure at  http://www.twmedia.com/TW-DiscMailerBrochure.pdf or feel free to give us a call.

Through the years, a substantial part of our business has been built on word-of-mouth.   In appreciation of your generous recommendations, we are instituting a referral incentive program.  For each new CD or DVD Replication client that you send our way, we will thank you with a $50 Visa Gift Card.  Just go to the link on our website, and fill out the form:   http://www.twmedia.com/affiliate.htm.  We will keep you in the loop via email, and will send out your gift card after the first order has been completed and paid for.

There are a number of important considerations when setting-up your CD Disc Art or DVD Disc Art.   Be sure to start with the correct template, as the knockout is different between white and silver background discs.    Templates can be found on our website at:   http://www.twmedia.com/templates.htm.   Art should be 300 dpi, and setup in either CMYK, specified PMS, or grayscale.    Make sure to bleed the art through the center ring, and 1/8″ on the outside.  The safe print area is 1/8″ from the center knockout and 1/8″ around the outer edge.  Type shouldn’t be any smaller than 6 point (for white knock-out type), and 5 point (for any other color).   Do not flatten the template to the art — save it on a separate layer.  And if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call!

To charge or not to charge for overages?  That is the question that every replicator must address.  Here is the reality.  Whether your replicator “charges” you or not, you are paying for overages… either outright and upfront, or hidden in the price.

So why do there have to be overages anyway?  Contrary to what some may say, it is not a ”scam-the-customer” tactic, but a common-sense and money-saving practice.  Any given job requires numerous processes — the disc printing, the replication, the printing of the associated packaging materials (inserts, traycards, etc.), and then the assembly aspects.  In an industry where every job is custom and unique, “setup” is a substantial portion of production downtime.  Even with the most stringent quality standards and the best maintained equipment, there will still be that occasional problem — a silkscreening misprint, for instance — when the disc ends up in the trash.   Running a few extra actually saves money, because it alleviates additional downtime for reruns and minimizes production schedule interruptions.  Overruns are necessary to the efficient flow of any manufacturing plant.

But should you have to pay for overages, if they are merely a replicator’s “mistake insurance”?   The reality is that they are a cost of production, and so whether you pay for and receive your overages, or you pay for the exact amount ordered, this cost is in there somewhere.  Be assured though, that as explained above — it is an efficiency practice that ultimately saves money by saving downtime.

How do we at TW Media Services handle overages?  We do charge our customers for overages; however, we strive to keep overruns to a maximum of 2 to 3%.  (Industry standard is 10%).

If you have any questions about our overage policies, please feel free to talk to a sales representative.

The basic difference between DVD-5’s and DVD-9’s is the amount of storage capacity. A DVD-5 is a single-sided and single-layered disc that can hold up to about 2-hours of running time (without special features).   A DVD-9 is a single-sided, dual-layered disc that can hold up to 3-hours, and even more with compression.

TW Media Services is a licensed reseller for Macrovision ACP and Ripguard. For more information about disc copy protection services, please refer to the following page on our website:  http://www.twmedia.com/dvdcopyprotection.htm

We plain and simply DO NOT duplicate or replicate discs with adult content.  And it is important that you choose a replication company that does not touch the stuff.    As many as 50% of the replicators out there do indeed accept jobs that would be categorized as porn, and horror stories abound of products getting “co-mingled” at such plants.  To ensure the integrity of your job, when choosing a replication company, it is critical to know their acceptance policies in regards to such materials.