How to Prepare Files for CD/DVD Production
Please read the following instructions carefully. Before sending audio material, make sure it meets all the technical requirements. The audio we receive goes into the production queue and is checked by our technical department only when its turn comes, so you might not be notified about any incompatibility with the required specs until several days after placing an order.
CD Maximum Length / DVD Maximum Capacity
The Philips Red Book specifies that CD recordings should not exceed 74 min and 44 s. Most (not all) CD audio players support long-play discs, up to 80 min. However, not all players will work properly with discs longer than 78 minutes.*
DVD maximum capacity:
DVD-5 – 4.7 GB max
DVD-9 – 8.54 GB max
DVD-10 – 2 x 4.7 GB max
* if the optimal time of 78 minutes is exceeded, we reserve the right to disregard any complaints concerning the sound quality or proper functioning of the discs
CD & DVD Content
The content of a CD/DVD should be delivered digitally in DDP 2.0 format with MD5 checksum or on a CD-R/DVD-R disc (2 copies).
Disc Description Protocol (DDP)
DDP is a format for specifying the content of optical discs, including CDs and DVDs. DDP is commonly used for delivery of disc pre-masters for duplication and must contain 4 parts:
Audio image(s) (.DAT file(s))
DDP Identifier (DDPID)
DDP Stream descriptor (DDPMS)
Subcode descriptor (PQDESCR)
An optional text file can also be included with the track titles and durations.
All masters sent on CDR/DVDR medium should be production-ready and edited exactly as expected to work in the final product.
The image on DVD-Rs should be burnt to the disc’s main sector.
DVD-R DL is an acceptable medium for DVD 9 production.
All masters must be of the best quality, free of physical damage, errors, etc. All masters should be adequately protected against possible damage during transportation.
Defective masters or those that do not meet the recommended specifications may incur delays.
Replicas can be used as masters provided they are not copy-protected.
File to DDP Conversion for Audio CDs
If unable to provide a DDP for CD production, we can create a DDP 2.0 (+MD5) image from .wav or .aiff files on your special request for a $25 surcharge:
Accepted file formats are .wav and .aiff
Files should be named in such a way that the computer browser could line them up alphabetically in the right sequence. For instance: 01 02 03 04 05, etc.; thus anybody looking at your files in their folder would know what the correct order is
The names of all the files including the main folder should not contain diacritic characters
CD-TEXT may be added to a DDP file on request; the ordering party should provide a text document that may include these elements: author, album title, track title, ISRC code, UPC/EAN code; all these elements are optional, therefore, the request can only contain the first three
Adding breaks or any other interference into the material should be arranged discussed with and approved by Pressing Business
BIN, IMG, ISO, MDS and NRG formats are also accepted (excluding DVD formats) for an extra fee of $10 (to convert them to DDP format) if agreed to with sales.
You may ask for a personalized matrix name on the disc. The number of characters on a matrix cannot exceed 25.
Contact service to get the location the mastered files should be sent to.
Turnaround Times
For CDs without covers: 10 business days after approval of the CD label
CD Imprint/Cover Printing
We accept materials in digital format on CDs and DVDs (PDF, version 1.3 maximum, minimum of 300dpi, CMYK).
We kindly ask you to send us CMYK materials with embedded fonts and minimum 3mm of bleed.
For Pantone printing, we require the exact Pantone number(s). The price may vary depending on the quantity and different kinds of Pantone colors.
We accept PROOF prints.
We can accept special request which include the design of the imprint/cover printing, DTP editing, or cover design based on your materials). These services will be quoted individually by our sales team.
COLOR PROOFS:
CMYK proofs are based on composite files, made according to the FOGRA 39 standard
PANTONE colours are referenced to the PANTONE® pattern; values being compared to the proof
COLORS:
Offset CMYK print is applied directly on a disc’s surface or on a white pre-print (background).
Additional Pantone color or varnish may be added to a project
Due to black paint transparency in the offset method, ultra-rich black areas in offset printing must be underlaid with CYAN 80%, MAGENTA 80%, YELLOW 80%.
TEXT:
Minimum type size: a) sans-serif fonts: for positive 4.5 point, for negative 5 point, b) serif fonts: for positive 5.5 point, for negative 6 point
Our CD production has a tolerance of -/+ 5%, i.e., you may receive slightly more or slightly fewer discs (but no more than 5% of the overall quantity).