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!

As of this week, we are 15-years old!  Not so old in the scope of, well, eternity, but it has been a substantial part of my life and career, and it astounds me how much things can change in 15 years.  I didn’t have a cell phone 15 years ago.  Neither did I have gray hair.  Business was all about VHS and audio cassettes.  The internet was dial-up, exciting, but slow and often frustrating.  We didn’t have Starbucks, though I acquired my daily cappuccino at a lovely coffeehouse that has long since been run out of biz by Starbucks.  (Coffee factors into all of my business memories since I can’t sit down at my desk without a cup…)

And so I find myself reminiscing about dba TW Media Services, originally known as TW Graphics, Inc.  And when I think back, the memories that come to mind are a bit random and scattered… a few crisis situations, but mostly lots of great clients and co-workers.

Most Memorable Jobs…    There was the sizeable rush job that ended up at the bottom of a lake.  The extremely reputable freight company we were using had an extremely intoxicated driver hauling our shipment.  And he somehow managed to navigate his semi into a lake.   (Don’t worry though – the drunk guy lived.  Our product wasn’t so lucky.)  We found out about the accident late in the afternoon (the day before it was due to be delivered), and our crew stayed all night to re-do the job.   We put it on an airplane the next morning and had it couriered to our client for arrival just minutes before needed.    Then there was the bus-wrap we were hired to design for a major-motion-picture promotion.  Not our usual CD and DVD fare, so quite a fun and challenging project.

Memorable Clients…  Many amazingly brilliant, funny, interesting and quirky clients that I could go on and on about, except for the whole “replicator/client privilege” thing.  So, I will refrain.  Michel.  Oops, did I type his name aloud, on the internet no less?  Yes, he has been with us since the early days, and is one of our all-time favorite customers.  He has invoked laughter, tears, heaps of memories, and a few near fatal incidents.

Have to comment on our UPS guy (since I can hear him down the hallway).  He’s a hoot, and goes ridiculously out of his way for us (and ultimately, our clients).  Special trips, extra trips.  Always a skip in his step.  And the daily bantering between him and Cheryl is something worth listening to — not that eavesdropping is necessary — the whole building can hear them.   At any rate, if he ever gets transferred to another route, we’re moving with him.

Co-Worker Memories…      Trace, our beautiful and extremely sensitive graphic designer, who occasionally sheds tears over jobs.  I remember the first time I saw her crying, working at her computer, tears dripping on the keyboard as she cleaned up the blood (in a Photoshop graphic) for a hunting DVD package she was designing.   Bloody animal pictures just aren’t her thing.

Dwight, our warehouse manager, chasing me with a broom because I (unknowingly) dropped a Cheeto on the warehouse floor when walking through.  The way he keeps a warehouse, I had no hesitation picking that darn Cheeto back up and eating it.  In Dwight’s warehouse, the 2-second rule is an unnecessary consideration, cuz he keeps the place really really really clean…

The “steak and beans” contest.  This was just a bad idea.  A sales contest, where the staff was divided into teams among the sales reps.  We booked a restaurant at month end, and closed shop to go to lunch.  The rep with the highest sales for the month and his team got steak and the fixings for lunch.   And everybody else had just a plate of beans.

The memories of Las Vegas… exhibiting at the NAB convention year after year.  Seriously great memories, and finally being able to put faces with names/voices of clients.  Would love to elaborate, but you know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

The traumatic morning I arrived to find that my Mac had been replaced with a PC.  Only the “creative” staff got to keep their Macs.  Oh, the sense of loss, the grief, that unshakable feeling of vulnerability.  It has been years now, and thanks to the unwaivering support of friends, family and a good IT-guy, each and everyday in PC-land gets a little easier.

I would like to give a huge THANKS to all of the amazing customers who have helped us grow this business through the years.   We wouldn’t be here without you!  Here’s looking forward to the years ahead, the continuing evolution of multimedia technology, and lots more fun!

When preparing an art file for your CD or DVD project, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

TEMPLATES:  Be sure to use a template to avoid pre-press problems. TW Media templates are located at http://www.twmedia.com/templates.htm.   (If you don’t see the one you need, or for custom packaging options, give us a call and we can provide one via email.)  Templates should be used at 100% according to the exact dimensions.  When possible, keep the template on a separate layer from the artwork.  Be sure not to flatten the template on top of the art.   TIP:  When opening a template in Photoshop, be sure the resolution is set to 300 dpi (high resolution), and not 72 dpi (low resolution, and the default for many computers).

BLEEDS:   One of the most common problems we see with submitted files is designs lacking a bleed.  A Bleed is a printing term that refers to extending the artwork outside of the template or trimline, which ensures the artwork goes all the way to the edge on the final trimmed piece.  Make sure that any photographs or backgrounds that you want to bleed go past the perimeter/trimlines of the document by about 1/8″ (.125″).  After the piece is printed this extra bit gets trimmed.   TIP:  Non-Bleed Items:  All images and text that are not intended to bleed should be kept at least 1/8″ (.125″) inside trim marks.

CMYK COLOR:  Print files should be submitted in CMYK mode (not RGB).  The exception would be for very specific color when a Pantone® or spot color is used.  TIP:  Never trust the color accuracy of any computer monitor.  Transmitted additive images (what you see on the screen) will not match reflected subtractive images (what you see in a final printed piece).   Though most proofing is done electronically, for extremely color-sensitive pieces, we may need to provide a matchprint proof to ensure an exact color match.

RESOLUTION:  Image Resolution is the amount of information in a digital file, and is measured in dots per inch (DPI).  The quality of an image is dependent upon the resolution and size at which it will be printed.   Files must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi, otherwise they will reproduce poorly on press — the image will look fuzzy and/or pixilated.  TIP:  Just because an image looks okay on your screen doesn’t always mean that it will print the same way.

FONTS:  Adobe PostScript Type 1 fonts are the industry standard.  Please try to avoid using True Type fonts as they do not work reliably with many imagesetters.  PostScript fonts have both a “screen font” for proper display on your monitor and a “printer font” that is used to create smooth type on a printer or imagesetter.  Always send both the screen and printer fonts, and all fonts used.  Fonts used by both client (you) and printer (us) MUST be of the same version, name and manufacturer as you used to create them.

FILE FORMATS:  If you are submitting your own print ready files, we can accept native files from the following programs:  Adobe Photoshop CS3 (.tif or .psd); Adobe Illustrator CS3 (.ai or .eps); Adobe InDesign CS3 (.indd); QuarkXpress 6 (qxd).

SUBMITTING ART VIA EMAIL/FTP:  Be sure that your final files are clearly labeled and include all components used in the file (fonts, art, and the final file).  All files being electronically transmitted must be compressed using a program such as Stuffit Deluxe or Winzip.  These compression programs protect your files from becoming corrupt through the transfer process.  Fonts will not be usable if they are not compressed.  Compressing your files also reduces the size of the file which allows a quicker transfer.

These are just a few pointers.  Submitting files correctly ensures a smooth production process that is free of delays.  Please feel free to contact our Art Department with any questions relating to art and file submissions.  We’re here to help!

Welcome to the TW Media Blog!  We look forward to utilizing this resource to provide helpful information, as well as the latest and greatest news about our company, its services and special promotions.

TW Media Services has been in business for 15 years, earning a reputation for reliability, great customer service, and high quality products and services.  When we first got started, our business was solely custom packaging and printing.  But after a bit of urging by our clients,  we expanded into duplication to provide them a “one-stop-shop” for their (VHS at the time) needs.  We’ve continued to grow, and have been offering turnkey services ever since.   Our services include DVD Duplication and DVD Replication, CD Duplication and CD Replication, Blu-Ray Replication, USB Flash Drives, Graphic Design, Custom Packaging, and Fulfillment Services.

There are countless companies out there for you to choose from for your industry needs, but we stand apart because of our excellent customer service.  You won’t find a more experienced staff anywhere when it comes to guiding you through the entire process from authoring and replication to a retail-ready package.