Getting some CDs made

[OldSausage]

What's the best (er, I mean cheapest) way to get like 100 or 200 CDs manufactured just with our band logo and a few words on them. This isn't for public consumption, we just need something we can give to potential clients. I can just burn some CDs on the computer, but I'd like to have the CDs look the part with some printing on the front, perhaps even an image. I can make the jewel case inlays myself. I've looked at some of the options, but if any of you have already solved the problem I'd love to hear it.

[Dave LaBoone]

If you don't mind burning them yourself, you might try designing/printing your own CD adhesive labels. I bought a pack of 50 or 100 from best buy or target several years ago. Print them in black and white or in color at home on an inkjet or laser printer.

Brand was Neato, IIRC.

[tablaninja]

I've had positive experiences with http://www.discmakers.com over the years and most likely will use them for our upcoming release.

[Folkmusician.com]

We do micro-run/short run CD duplication. It starts at $1 per disk (plus shipping) for a simple black print on silver disk. I imagine there are cheaper services out there though. We are a good option if you need additional work, mixing/mastering/graphic design/packaging, press kits, etc...

For good looking color printing on the disk, you need higher grade disks that add significantly to the cost. These do look great with a band photo printed on the disk though. If it is for marketing we normally put more effort into the disks that go into a press kit folder that has a CD slot and a business card slot. The business card design matches the CD, and then there will be a bio page (with images) and then an 8x10. We use a nice printed foil sticker on the outside of the press kits. It ends up being pretty expensive to make them, but the bands that have used these have seen noticeable increases in booking and the quality of gigs/pay they are getting. I guess the point is, make a press kit that far exceeds what the competition is doing and there is a very good chance you will get the first call.

[Jim Garber]

We use National Media Services at Field Recorders' Collective. They print digitally and will do small quantities (100-200) as well for a reasonable price.

[Andy Miller]

The main concern with burning them yourself or having someone do that short of a run for cheap is that it's going to be a CD-R which may not play on everyone's equipment. I have had a few runs made like this with a very few instances of customers complaining that it wouldn't play, for example on their car stereo. Not a huge deal, but I've never liked the idea of sending it out as part of a press kit in pursuit of a gig I want, only to have the disc fail to play.

[Don Grieser]

I've used bisondisc.com for the last couple disks I needed. Good prices, excellent service and quality.

[OldSausage]

Thanks all, I really appreciate all the helpful tips!

[OldSausage]

If you don't mind burning them yourself, you might try designing/printing your own CD adhesive labels. I bought a pack of 50 or 100 from best buy or target several years ago. Print them in black and white or in color at home on an inkjet or laser printer.

Brand was Neato, IIRC.

That was what I did first, and found that was fine until you put them in your car stereo - and then, although they would play, it was very difficult to get them out again. I had to resort to poking about in there with a kitchen knife, and so did several others who tried to play them

[Marcelyn]

Jeff tried out lightscribe a few weeks ago, and the CDs look pretty cool. You burn your disk, flip it over and burn an immage on the front.

[houseworker]

Adhesive labels are pretty useless (sooner or later they peel off). Decent quality printable CD-Rs aren't that expensive and the results look fully professional. If you don't already have a CD printer, this one does a good enough job.

[Folkmusician.com]

If you use high-grade blanks a good quality burner (also not too old as the lasers start to go) and burn at a slower speed, it eliminates most of the errors that lower grade and older CD players have trouble with.

Also having a system dedicated to burning, or making sure that nothing unnecessary is running (especially things like anti-virus, back-ups, indexing, etc..), makes a difference.

[houseworker]

Here's some top quality printable CD-Rs: http://www.amazon.com/Taiyo-Yuden-CD...dp/B002U4QIBY/

Even if you have to buy a new printer you quickly cover the cost. The great thing about being set up to print your own is that you can just run off the CDs as and when you need them.