FAQ - CDs
What's Your Question?
- Is Econoprint able to print graphics directly onto the disk?
- Is inkjet printing different from screen printing?
- Is there a quality difference between inkjet and screen printing?
- What is the capacity of a blank CD?
- What do you mean by "mastering" a CD?
- How do I master a CD?
- What is a hybrid CD?
- Are PDF files hybrid files?
- How do I create the design for the CD platter?
- What kind of information can be put onto a CD?
- Can a CD be written to more than once?
- Do I need to worry about loss of quality when copying CDs?
- What do you mean by "authoring" a CD?
Here's Our Answer!
1. Is Econoprint able to print graphics directly onto the disk?
Yes. Econoprint uses a thermal print process to print text and graphics directly onto the CD. This produces results that are more professional than affixing a label.
2. Is inkjet printing different from screen printing?
Yes. Inkjet printing offers a lower-cost solution for CD platter printing. Minimum runs for screen printing usually begin at 1000, whereas inkjet printing is cost-effective at the lower quantities.
3. Is there a quality difference between inkjet and screen printing?
Yes. Although injet printing does not have the resolution of screen printing, it offers a clean printing in solid black, blue and red colors. Full-color images can be printed using a three-color process with very good quality.
4. What is the capacity of a blank CD?
Blank CDs are sold in two different capacities: 650 MB and 700 MB. The 650 MB format is the most common and is capable of being read by most CD-ROM drives sold and packaged with newer computers. The 700 MB format is newer and requires special hardware to write the to the fullest capacity. Econoprint is capable of mastering CDs in both formats.
5. What do you mean by "mastering" a CD?
The term "mastering" refers to creating an "original" CD that will be duplicated. It is similar in terms of a master paper document that will be photocopied.
6. How do I master a CD?
A CD burner (sometimes called a "writer") is required as is special software for creating a master.
7. What is a hybrid CD?
The term "hybrid" usually refers to a CD that can be read by both PC computers and Macintosh computers. Creating a hybrid CD requires additional considerations and software during the mastering phase. Refer to "Mastering a CD" for more information on creating a hybrid CD.
8. Are PDF files hybrid files?
Not necessarily. A PDF file, like any file format, requires software to read it. Because the Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded and distributed for free, the PDF format is a logical choice for distribution documents to users who may not have the software applications used to create the PDF documents.
9. How do I create the design for the CD platter?
Refer to "Templates & Specifications" for design requirements and downloadable templates for creating artwork to be printed onto the CD.
10. What kind of information can be put onto a CD?
Almost anything that can be read by a computer can be copied and distributed on CDs. Refer to "What Can CDs do for Me?" for more information about the uses of CDs.
11. Can a CD be written to more than once?
Although "re-writable" CDs do exist, they are not universally compatible. To assure the broadest compatibility, Econoprint uses CD media that can be written to, or "burned", only once. This method guarantees data can not be altered after it has been distributed.
12. Do I need to worry about loss of quality when copying CDs?
No. CDs are fully digital so there is no loss of quality when copying. Each copy is exactly the same as the original.
13. What do you mean by "authoring" a CD?
Authoring a CD makes the content of a CD interactive. An interface can be created with buttons for user navigation, similar to a website, but with no downloading necessary. An authored CD adds the greatest functionality to information, making it searchable, interactive and dynamic.
