CD Duplication vs. CD Replication: Which One is Best for You?

Now that most desktop computers come equipped with a CD burner, copying CDs has become common practice. At some point it is likely that you're going to want or need to make multiple copies of a multimedia presentation or other project. When the time comes, there are two very different methods of creating copies of your CD that you should know about: Duplication and Replication.

CD Duplication is the process of "burning" data onto a pre-manufactured CD-ROM with a CD burner drive installed in a computer or a stand-alone CD Duplicator. CD replication "stamps" data onto an injection-molded CD-ROM, creating a "glass master" from the customer supplied disc and building the data into each copy. If you need multiple copies of a CD-ROM, you may wonder if one method is better than the other. Here are some factors to help you decide whether CD Duplication or CD Replication is best for your project.

Longevity
CDs are not immortal. The thin aluminum layer that reflects the light of the player's laser is susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation causes the discs to "rot", a lot like iron rusting. If you know that users will need to access your project for many years, especially over a decade, CD Replication is recommended.

Cost
Because CD Duplication doesn't require a "glass master", it tends to be the cheaper alternative on orders of less than 1,000 copies. If only a few copies are needed, it is much cheaper to invest in a CD burner if your computer is not already equipped with one, rather than buy a stand-alone CD Duplicator. A CD Duplicator begins at about $1,600 and is only feasible if a few hundred copies are needed or if multiple projects will be duplicated. If your project is large and needs thousands of copies, CD Replication is the best and cheaper choice.

Time
With a single computer, CD Duplication can take as much as 74 minutes to copy a single disc. Even a stand-alone CD Duplicator averages around 65 copies an hour. If a quick turnaround is required, you may consider hiring a professional for your CD Duplication needs. CD Replication can take roughly 5-7 business days for a complete order.

Whether you choose CD Duplication or CD replication for your project, consider having an actual CD label printed rather than writing on the CDs with marker. Many pens and markers contain chemicals that can actually speed up the deterioration process.