KVR Audio

Katelyn · Post by **Katelyn** » Fri May 01, 2015 7:25 am

So I'm in the process of finishing up a 7 track EP/cd/whatever you want to call it, and have been trying to figure out the cost of making some hard copies.

And yes I know... digital copies and all that jazz... but I want something to hand to friends and family.

So far I have estimated about 0.62 USD for each empty case, but I don't know where to begin when talking about printed discs and the art booklets cost per unit. I tried to google but it got kind of confusing kind of fast.

Does anyone have any idea on where the actual price per unit might actually lie, assuming one wants the quality to at least be decent (CD graphic and booklet wise)?

pc2000 · Post by **pc2000** » Fri May 01, 2015 8:02 am

What criteria are you using? Are you trying to figure out the cost based on doing the CD's yourself, or you're looking for a service?

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Fri May 01, 2015 1:06 pm

Think OP is looking for professional CD duplication service.

There are many too choose from, depends a bit on where the OP is located, here is a google search to start from:

https://www.google.no/search?q=cost+of+ ... uplication

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Fri May 01, 2015 1:21 pm

The price will depend on how many CDs you have pressed ... for less than 1000 I'd expect to pay around £1 per unit (CD, Dual Case & Insert/booklet).

foosnark · Post by **foosnark** » Fri May 01, 2015 1:59 pm

Last time I did that was 2004 so I'm sure the price information isn't really relevant anymore.

As I recall though, you can either do a print-on-demand service (costs more per disc but no mininum) or a small batch. Prices vary quite a bit depending on type of case (sleeves are cheap, slim jewel cases with single page (front/back) inserts and backs aren't bad, full jewel cases with booklets are obviously gonig to cost more.

For the last album I released on CD I went semi-DIY: bought empty jewel cases in bulk, burned and laser-printed CDs myself, but had a printer do a small batch of inserts. It was a hassle and I don't recommend it unless you're just doing a very few CDs for promotion and/or friends/family.

Katelyn · Post by **Katelyn** » Thu May 07, 2015 7:47 pm

professional CD duplication service

Oh, didn't realize it was called that no wonder my google search didn't work

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu May 07, 2015 8:15 pm

if it was even remotely feasible for me to make my own - I looked into it, just like this - it would mean I was viable enough for a label to care about doing it.
I'm out on CD selectively on a compilation by a label that did care, but I'm not sure exactly why it's viable.

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Thu May 07, 2015 8:27 pm

For physical media, in the end it is still vinyl that will make your mark, not CD's

ntom · Post by **ntom** » Fri May 08, 2015 4:03 am

I wound up just having to contact a friend of a friend who knew a friend who knew this guy (actually it was a girl) who printed my CDs for me. I love having them........I love....carrying my whole stock of CDs I have around with me....every time I move....for the past several years....

No but seriously, I like having a physical version of my stuff too, I can't blame you, but it's not an investment, in fact, you're probably going to lose money on it...a lot of it. In general as mentioned above, it's going to be roughly $1 per jewel case for an order of 1000.
My friend did 50 for me for $150, which is actually cheaper than what most would have asked for for the number, plus she did something the other places didn't offer...or they did offer but only if I ordered like 5000 CDs, which was to print my insert booklet as a poster, and then folded it into a square, as seen below.

also, there are 2 different covers for the album, which definitely wasn't something the other guys didn't do

Really, though, it's just an uphill battle. I wish you luck, and I suggest getting a back brace for all those unsold CDs

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri May 08, 2015 5:20 am

http://www.discmakers.com/

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Fri May 08, 2015 5:25 am

deastman wrote:http://www.discmakers.com/

This is who I used last time and it was great.

spacedad · Post by **spacedad** » Mon May 18, 2015 3:05 pm

not tried these,but looked good for short runs..
http://www.kunaki.com/

SampleScience · Post by **SampleScience** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:25 pm

ntom wrote:I wound up just having to contact a friend of a friend who knew a friend who knew this guy (actually it was a girl) who printed my CDs for me.

Your CD looks beautiful. I agree that this is a bit of a pain, I've printed and burned myself the first 3 releases of my now defunct Brown Coffee Recordings label. The albums are now available on my bandcamp page:

https://samplescience.bandcamp.com/

I still have to re-upload the compilation I did. That being said, it's way better to use a professional duplication service. It's cheaper and it's a lot less hassle. In my case, I had trouble with my printers who wasn't build to print non-stop for a couple of hours. I was always readjusting it and the results wasn't even half good of what I would have had with a professional duplication service.

If I were to do it again, I would use Discmakers.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:59 pm

spacedad wrote:not tried these,but looked good for short runs..
http://www.kunaki.com/

I'm also looking into CD printing (short runs) and that looks like a great service. It's cool that they will send you a free sample, so I just requested one. Would love to hear some feedback from anyone who has used them.

making your own cds?