Ever since CDs were introduced, they have become one of the most popular mediums for storing digital data, particularly digital audio. CDs are the standard playback format for commercial audio recordings.
The process used for producing large copies of CDs is called replication. The CD replication process is commonly used in recording industry for creating albums. During the replication process, every CD is an exact copy of the original.
CD replication involves a number of steps including injection molding, mastering, spin coating and metallising. Mastering involves creating an original master disc from which the other copies are replicated. The process also involves all the necessary finishing touches and adjustments on tracks before they are replicated. The master copy is then used for creating the glass master. Later on in the process, stampers are made using this glass master.
High-tech injection molding is then used by these stampers to create identical copies of the original master disc. Once the initial master copy is created, it undergoes finalisation.
During the finalisation stage, the disc is coated with a reflective lacquer and aluminium- in order to help to protect its surface and preserve the data stored on it.
CD replication is ideal for creating more than 500 copies of a disc. If you have under 500 discs to copy, CD duplication may be the best option.