Terminology

If the specific phrase you are wondering about isn't described here please contact us.

• Printing Reference:
  There is a common 'code' to describe how paper inserts and custom printed cardboard packaging is printed, using the CMYK colour mode.  "0" refers to no print, "1" refers to black (or greyscale), and "4" refers to colour.
  -  1/0: Black or greyscale print on front / no print on back.
  -  1/1: Black or greyscale print on front /  black or greyscale print on back.
  -  4/0: Colour print on front / no print on back.
  -  4/1: Colour print on front / black or greyscale print on back.
  -  4/4: Colour print on front / Colour print on back.  
   
• Pages & Panels:
  There is a way to describe the style of insert card or booklet that fits into a Jewel Case or Library Case (please note that different manufacturers may refer to this differently than we do).  We call a simple insert card with no folds as a panel. The panel has a front side and a back side, and we refer to these sides as pages. Thus, a 1 panel (2 page) insert.  For the type of insert that is folded in half, we call that a 2 panel (4 page), etc.
   
• Pre-Press (also referred to as File Check)
  After receiving client-supplied artwork the electronic files are checked to see if they have been formatted properly to our specifications.  Artwork that does not meet specifications must be rejected.  Artwork that is accepted will then have proofs generated for final client approval.
   
• Proofs:
  For artwork that is accepted in the Pre-Press stage, an electronic proof (in .PDF format) is forwarded to the client for final review and approval of design layout.  Proofs must be approved in writing.  Once the proofs have been approved by the client, the order proceeds into the next stage of production.
   
• CMYK:
  Four Colour Process Printing (referred to as CMYK) is the standard for most types of commercial printing.  It is a printing process using four primary pigments (C stands for Cyan, M Sstands for Magenta, Y stands for Yellow, K stands for Black) which can be mixed and combined together in varying amounts to provide a palette of millions of different colours for printing.
   
• RGB:
  RGB is another method of combining different amounts of primary colours (in this case using Red, Green and Blue) to create a larger palette of colours.  Due to the fact that computer monitors use the RGB colour mode, it is common for scanners and design/imaging software to format images in RGB by default.  RGB is not used for commercial printing.
   
• Pantone Colours (also referred to as PMS colours or Pantone Matching System colours):
  When screenprinting, opaque inks are used to print the artwork images.  The number of different colours available to print with range in the hundreds and so a standard known as 'Pantone' was developed to aid in referencing them all.  Most good quality graphic design software has the ability to cross reference a number of different colour modes, including Pantone. The most accurate reference is to design with the aid of a printed Pantone swatch book.  
   
• Screenprinting:
  Screenprinting is a method of printing where ink is forced onto a substrate through the stencil image on a finely woven screen. For CD manufacturing purposes the substrate is the CD or DVD disc.  There is one screen per colour of ink required in the design, and each colour is printing one at a time. The ink colours used are referenced by 'Pantone' number, which is the standard for commercial printing inks.
   
• Offset CD Print:
  There are many forms of 'offset' printing, but at Precision Disc we refer to it as Offset Disc Printing... our alternative to Screenprinting the discs.  The Offset Print process offers a higher resolution and tighter registration than screenprinting and is most suitable for complex designs and multicolour photographic images. Our Offset Printer runs on the Four Colour Process Printing system as described above under the "CMYK" heading.
   
• Duplication:
  Small quantities of CDs and DVDs (less than 300) are typically duplicated, which is also referred to as being 'burned'. This is the most cost-effective way to produce small numbers of discs as there are no special set up requirements or procedures required.
   
• Replication:
  For quantities of 500 CDs/DVDs or greater a glass-master is used to physically replicate the discs. Each disc is individually molded from polycarbonate pellets then metalized and imprinted with the digital image from your master. This is the highest quality and most durable method of manufacture.
   
• Film:
  Film is made from your supplied artwork to image the printing plates in a photographic process.