CD and DVD Disk Printing FAQ I Imperial Media : Los Angeles

Disc Printing FAQ

What are the different types of disc printing options available?

The color you choose for the face of the disc will determine the type of printing you choose. The options are CMYK, grayscale, Pantone and thermal printing.

What is CMYK?

CMYK is based on mixing four colors -Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (or Black). These four inks are the standard inks used in the four-color printing process. If printing on a disc, a white flood is frequently employed to ensure color fidelity. CMYK is the basic printing method used today. CMYK can be printed using the following processes: digital UV, offset, and silkscreen.

What is Grayscale?

Grayscale printing is similar to black and white, except grayscale provides several shades and intensities of gray within the black and white image range. Grayscale can be printed using the following processes: digital UV, offset, and silkscreen.

What is Pantone?

Pantone color processing is a color matching system, used widely to identify an exact color. This process mixes several inks to provide the unique color chosen from a scale of options. Printing with Pantone will improve solid color range and accuracy over traditional CMYK printing. Pantone printing utilizes silkscreen printing. There are additional costs associated with Pantone printing.

What are the different color processes for on disc printing?

If you choose CMYK, grayscale, or Pantone for the color of the disc face, you have a number of options as to the type of process employed. These options include digital, offset, or silkscreen printing. Each process has its own strengths and weaknesses.

What is digital printing?

Utilizing ink-jet head technology and UV curable inks, a white flood of ink is first laid down on the disc followed by four passes of ink, the CMYK. This process lends itself to artwork with photos or color gradients. The resulting image has the sharpness and detailed resolution of offset, while offering the color saturation associated with silkscreen. This is truly the best of both worlds. What you see on the disc is what you get. The only drawback would be a lack of textual sharpness when printing small text, such as four-point font.

What is offset printing?

Offset printing starts by laying down a base of white ink, called a 'white flood', followed by a mixture of colors. The colors are CMYK. Ink is applied to the disc by rolling a reverse image of your graphic to the non-image areas on a roller. The rollers are then pressed against the disc. Offset is recommended for use with small text or detailed graphics. Offset printing enhances sharpness and detail, but lacks the color saturation of digital or silkscreen printing.

What is silkscreen printing?

Silkscreen printing uses a mesh screen that replicates your artwork, in which ink is forced through a screen to the surface of the disc. Used for both Pantone and CMYK processes, Silk-screening is recommended for graphics such as logos and texts. Silk-screening provides full color saturation, but does not have the crisp sharpness or detailed resolution of offset or digital printing.

What is thermal printing?

Thermal printing uses pressure and heat to apply text and graphics to the surface of the disc. This type of printing has a durable, glossy finish that is scratch resistant, waterproof, and will not fade in the sun. While colored thermal printing exists, Imperial Media also offers black thermal printing. Thermal printing is best for simple text and line art, so graphics with photos, complicated logos, or font smaller than 8 points should use a different printing process, such as CMYK, Grayscale or Pantone.

What are Pantone colors?

Printers accept a total of six plates or colors. If you choose the four-color printing process (CMYK), there is room for two additional plates; a white flood is considered one plate, if you go with Pantone colors only, you have a choice of six plates. These additional plates are known as spot colors, and may include anything under the Pantone metallic, silver, gold, fluorescent or any other color in the Pantone. Additional Pantone colors are recommended if you are looking for a specific color within your graphic. There are additional costs associated with using Pantone colors.

What is a white flood?

A white flood is the process of applying a coat of white ink onto the surface of the disc, acting as a primer. Without a white flood, colors would be printed on the shiny, silver background, resulting in images lacking true color due to the silver of the disc affecting the image.

Can I get blank, printed discs?

The option of blank, printed CDs or DVDs is for those clients that want graphic images printed on their discs, but do not wish to have duplication or replication of digital media burned onto the disc at the same time. Frequently, companies or individuals that want to be able to burn their own digital media on a case-by-case basis use this option. The same printing options for CD or DVD printing, such as digital, offset, and silk-screening are available.

What is a bulk order?

Bulk orders are ones in which no packaging is requested. These can be either duplication or replication for either CDs or DVDs; however, no jewel cases or DVD cases and no printed materials are included. In this case, the discs are delivered on a spindle loaded with the appropriate number of units ordered.

What is a 'Test Print'?

A 'Test Print' is a single copy of a CD or DVD for duplication or replication that is run with your artwork. The purpose of the test print is to allow the client to see a copy of the finished product before making larger run orders. Test prints are available upon request at an additional charge.