CD replication...who should I use?

Hi folks

mastering a band CD just now ....looking for recommendations for quality cost effective CD replication houses.

Also T shirt printers.

Any help would be appreciated

What is good and who is cheapest seems to change annually.  We have a local contact that I've used for our last few projects that wouldn't probably be too appropriate here (we're a Christian ministry).  In the past I've used Oasis, which offer some amazing marketing tie-ins and strategies, but one of my projects came in weeks behind schedule, and another had the CD-text data omitted in spite of markings and log sheets mentioning it.  Still, they're unique.

Others have used Diskmakers and seem to be quite satisfied.  They've got a good track record for many years running.

If you've already got artwork, you can go through any supplier/contractor you want.  Both of the above will help with art & design if you need it.

Hmm... I suspect that the poster isn't in the US...

It would help of course, this being an international community, if the OP had stated what country this information was required for!

In terms of cost-effective, it's usually the case that you pay for what you get. If you want a guaranteed result, with no hassle, delivered on time and with exactly what you asked for, you are going to have to pay more for it. I can recommend somewhere on that basis in the UK, but they are by no means the cheapest around. Some of the cheaper ones may well be fine, but a) I've never used them, and b) saving money inevitably cuts corners, so the risks increase even if the firm doesn't intend them to, simply because the process control at all stages won't be as good.

And if you've never done this before, you almost need a firm that will hold your hand, because there are a lot of options, and pitfalls for the unwary here, and the first time you do it you will learn a lot. If you use one of the 'production line' firms, the chances are that you will end up with a product that isn't quite what you wanted, because they didn't explain stuff, and nobody's happy. And this applies just as much to the artwork as anything else.

The other thing is that you've made no indication of pressing quantities - you said replication, but is this what you meant? Or are we talking duplication? It can make quite a difference to where to go if you want less than 450-500 copies, but if you want more, you have all the fun of dealing with a glass master to consider as well. And this can get you into murky territory all on its own...

So, really we need more information, and also please note that I've moved the thread to a more appropriate place.

Ok Steve,

Sorry about putting message in wrong place.

Thanks for all the advice...apologies for not giving more info....juggling a lot of balls at the moment

I am based in the UK and will go for replication rather than duplication...first run will most likely be 500-1000 more to follow.

May well go with a local firm to me called Media Sourcing (Shropshire UK), they seem to have a good rep and they are local which may be handy if there are problems.

Any comments would be appreciated.

May well go with a local firm to me called Media Sourcing (Shropshire UK), they seem to have a good rep and they are local which may be handy if there are problems.

I've never used Media Sourcing although their sales people seem on the ball and keen. I've sent a quite a few people to Repeat Performance Multimedia in Shepherds Bush and I've not heard of anyone unhappy with the end product - although they are very fussy about the standard of source material and artwork. Another regular customer uses AGR in East London somewhere - they tried using cheaper overseas alternatives for a while but found problems so they're now sticking with AGR.

Cheers

James.

I can recommend somewhere on that basis in the UK, but they are by no means the cheapest around.

I've sent a quite a few people to Repeat Performance Multimedia in Shepherds Bush and I've not heard of anyone unhappy with the end product - although they are very fussy about the standard of source material and artwork.

Funny you should mention them... Bit difficult to find them in Sheperd's Bush though, because they are up by the Grand Union Canal in Kensal Town. At least one common map book gets the postcodes wrong, and has W10 for Sheperd's Bush, whereas most of it's W6, and none of it's in W10 at all. It makes quite a bit of difference if you drive there, believe me!

But the product RPM produce is first-rate, and on time.