SwiftCD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about
Replication Services

If your questions are not answered below, please ask them here

Click here to read our Duplication/On-Demand FAQ

Definitions

1C = 1 Color

4C = 4 Color

4/0 = We print 4-color on one side and nothing on the back side        (typically referring to CD inserts/booklets)

4/4 = We print 4-color on front and back of an insert

Flood Coat = A white coating we apply to the face of a CD/DVD       before silk screening.  This can be important if the artwork does not fully cover the CD surface (in which case white would show through instead of silver)

DVD Case Terminology

Wrap Sheet = Offset printed page for outer DVD case

Jewel Case Terminology

Tray Card = Applies to Jewel Cases

Booklet   = The printed piece we insert into the front of the jewel case, between  the CD and the plastic on the inside.

Payment Options

We require payment in advance for all replication jobs.  We prefer a company check, although in some cases we can accept VISA/MC (adds 3.5% service fee) or PayPal (adds 3.5% service fee).

How long does it take?

We quote each job based on a manufacturing time.  The actual flow of the job will be:

- You provide us with artwork

- Within 2 business days, we give you proof(s)

- You MUST approve all proofs before we can begin

- Manufacturing time begins on same/next business day (depending on what time/when we get proof approval)

- Post manufacturing, there may be final assembly (inkjetting, assembly, polywrapping, etc.), which normally takes 1-2 days.

So, if we give you quote on a 10-day 'turn', please understand that the actual duration of the job prior to shipping is typically 12-13 days.  Shipping we charge at cost, so that duration simply depends on what method you select. 

What makes SwiftCD different?

Not all replication is the same, we produce ultra-high quality products reliably every-time - that simply is not the case throughout the industry.  You'll work with a project manager and we'll stand by our work.

What are unders and overs, do you have those?

Most companies advertise that they will ship you up to 5% less than or more than your order.  We don't do that, we ship you exactly the number of CDs you've purchased.

How small is the minimum order for replication?

 Whether you're making CDs or DVDs, the minimum is 1,000 *identical* units.

How do I get content to SwiftCD?

Once you have your content ready, we'll either have you ftp it to us, e-mail it to us, or send us an actual CD.  Please be sure to put your SwiftCD Customer ID and a name for the project on the CD label.

How do I get artwork to SwiftCD?

Once you have your content ready, we'll either have you ftp it to us, e-mail it to us, or send us an actual CD.  Please be sure to put your SwiftCD Customer ID and a name for the project on the CD label.

Will I get a proof?

Yes, once we have your payment and artwork, we will create digital PDF proofs and e-mail you them for approval.  We must have approval to begin manufacturing.

Replication with Warehousing and Fulfillment

We can replicate your CDs/DVDs, then have them sent to our Madison, GA warehouse for individual pick, pack and ship.  For details on our warehousing & fulfillment service, click here.

Artwork Templates 

4-page Booklet Template

Label Template

Single Pocket 2-Panel Cardboard Sleeve
  (click here for EPS file)

Single Pocket 4-Panel Cardboard Sleeve
  (click here for EPS file)

Two pocket 4-Panel Cardboard Sleeve Template
  (click here for EPS file)

Submitting Electronic Artwork for Screenprinting

Jewel Case Inlay Card (Tray Card) Template  
  (click here for EPS file)

Our 6-3/8 x 4-3/4 'Lightweight' Mailer (PSD file)

Our Medium Mailer, as pictured on our home page:

     PDF file
     EPS file

Our 6 x 6-3/8 'Heavy' Rigid Cardboard Mailer (PSD file)

Artwork Requirements

We strongly prefer Adobe Photoshop for all artwork, however, other accepted formats include Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, and Pagemaker.

We print CMYK, so we prefer CMYK over RGB.

We need to know if it's process or spot colors:
   * If it's spot, we need the PMS #'s.

And we need to know if there is a white floodcoat:
   http://www.swiftcd.com/FAQ/replicationFAQ.html#Definitions

What is the difference between Duplication & Replication?

Duplication is the process of 'burning' your content onto a pre-manufactured CD-ROM.  Cost per unit is higher but we duplicate CDs individually so we can create orders of any size.  Replication is the process of creating a 'glass master' from a pre-mastered image.  A 'Stamper' is then created from the glass master and the stamper is used to press CDs with injection molding composed of raw polycarbonate plastic.

DVD Replication

Q: What Region code are DVDs that you replicate?

A: Region codes are optional and you can specify which code or to    have no region code.  If there is no region code on the disc it will play on any player regardless of the part of the world.

Q: Do you replicate PAL or NTSC DVDs?

A: We can do either.  If you wish for your DVD to play in PAL TV's, the Authoring process and format must be in PAL in order to play on the PAL formatted Televisions/players.

What is DVD-5?

 This is what most people think of as a DVD, it's a single layer disc with a 4.7GB capacity.  We can duplicate these individually (DVD-Rs) or replicate them in quantities starting at 1,000.

What is DVD-9?

 This is a double-layer version of a DVD, it holds 8.5GB.  These can only be made via replication.

Can you make Enhanced/Mixed Mode CDs (and what are they)?

Yes, we do make Enhanced CDs.  These are CDs that contain both music and audio.  If you're mastering one for us, please record the music session first.

How do I get started?

 You'll need an account with us, click here to sign up.  Then, please contact us and tell us the specifics of your replication job for a quote.

Do you make business card CDs?

Yes, we can.  2,500 minimum for business card CD jobs.

Can you custom cut CDs?

Yes, we can - we can cut a CD into many different shapes.

Can you print dynamic content on the package?

Yes, the best package for this is our cardboard sleeve, where  we can dynamically ink-jet a unique number/license key/activation  code to each sleeve.  We can also print 'sticky notes' with  unique content on each note and apply them to virtually any  type of packaging.

Can you ship out a large number of units to a list we provide?

Absolutely, you can provide us a flat-file or MS Excel list, and we will ship worldwide via First Class Mail or UPS.  We also have cardboard mailer sleeves we can offset print for these types of jobs.

For additions, deletions, or suggested improvements
to this FAQ, please let us know