CDs have become an indispensable part of the media world. From audio and video to important data and games, CDs are used to store a wide range of data. Because of this, CD duplication has become an important process in order to mass-produce CDs. Although a normal CD burner will do the job, it is not feasible when several hundred CDs are required over a short duration. To overcome this shortcoming, CD duplicators were invented.
CD duplicators are optical devices that function like photocopiers, making duplicate copies of a master CD. The duplicators may either be connected to a PC or function as standalone devices. Automated duplicators have a robotic disc handling system and can function without manual operation, while the manual ones may require some human oversight. Nowadays, most duplicators come packaged with a CD printer. These devices are used to print the CD labels, making the process of duplication complete.
CD printers are used to make customized labels to give the CDs a professional look. These printers function almost as fast as the duplicators, printing several hundred CDs per hour.
Several different printing methods can be employed to print on the CDs. Thermal printing is the most common and popular method used today. This process uses heat to seal the ink onto the disc. A single color ribbon prints at a resolution of around 300 dpi, producing high quality images at an affordable price. For those looking for better print quality, an inkjet CD printer may be the right choice. This printer produces images of 4800 dpi or higher, producing some of the best CD labels one can find. Unlike earlier printing methods, wherein the matter is printed on peel-off labels and then glued on the CD, the modern printers print directly onto the discs. This increases the print quality and accuracy and saves a lot of human effort. CD duplicators and printers have truly revolutionized the way CDs are made. Although the price of a CD duplicator may expensive, they are a worthwhile investment for media professionals and individuals alike, considering the convenience factor.