First Art Records understands the dilemma of the independent recording artist: You need to have product in your hands for your fans and promoters, but you don't need to have a thousand CDs of every record you make taking up space in your hallway closet or custodian's locker! First Art Records has the solution:

• Primera Bravo™ Disc Publishing, combining CD cuplication with Inkjet CD printing on InkJet-Printable CD-R Discs, and
• Putting it All Together, including Packaging of cover and backtray inserts with CDs into jewel cases, and CD label and cover design and local printing.

The first half of the Bravo™ Disc Publisher is a first-rate 48X CD burner, which (to date) seems to have a 100% success rate! If you simply need CD-Rs duplicated in an automated burner for small bulk turnaround, First Art Records can handle batches at a per unit cost. All that is required is a master copy of your project (in finalized CD form, please).

CD Duplication uses:

• Independent Artist and Band CD releases
• Live Recordings of Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, Band or Solo Act
• Singles and two- or three-song releases
• Data Discs for portable websites and more
• Audio Compilations of wav and mp3 files

For projects where presentation is less significant, simple CD-Rs can be used for this purpose. If you need graphics and text, the second part of the Disc Publisher is an inkjet printer for CDs!
[ Note: F A R does not recommend the use of 'stick-on' labels. These are prone to getting stuck in car CD players, usually with expensive consequences. ]
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If presentation is important for your project, the Disc Publisher used by First Art Records includes an inkjet CD printer, which prints on special InkJet-Printable CDs. The background of these CDs is white, with black and full color printing both available. The recording quality of these CDs is excellent, and they look great!

CD Printing Considerations:

• Final layout should be in .tif or .psd format (TIFF file or PhotoShop file)
  File should be @1440 X 1440 pixels in screen size.
• Make sure your layout fits 'round' (text and graphics don't fall outside CD outline), but don't block out the round edges and hole. Leave those filled in with whatever background your CD has.
• F A R can prepare layouts using graphic materials and text
• Some color variation from other media may occur (such as printed cover materials)
• For fast-turnaround (last-minute) jobs, black and white layouts are recommended

The Primera Bravo™ Disc Publisher automates the combination of CD burning and printing, for timely turnaround of project orders. The result is high-quality burns with professional-looking labels. You can stop here, or package the CDs in slim- or jewel-cases, and even have First Art Records design covers and backtrays, and send the designs to the printer, to finish off the product.   [ top ] [ next ]

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Once you have your recorded music duplicated on CD, it's time to package them in jewel-cases, together with covers and backtrays if you have them. First Art Records maintains a supply of standard jewel-cases, with clear outer-shells and black inserts. For CD release projects, we feel this is the best product. If you are interested in slim-line cases, we can provide these as well, and other styles may also be available.

Some considerations:

• Standard jewel-cases:
  • Music fans often store CDs library-style, with spines showing the title and artist
  • Store and internet customers typically expect standard cases.
  • Backtrays allow more space for presentation
• Slim-line cases:
  • Compact size allows easier handling
  • Less printing means lower cost per unit
  • Slim-line cases are excellent for data and special projects
  • Certain users prefer a product that uses less storage space

Of course, it's most important to consider the needs of your customers! Whatever they might be, First Art Records can provide you with the packaged CDs that are right for your project.   [ top ] [ next ]

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If you don't have your printed materials completed, First Art Records can do so for you. We can design labels, covers and backtrays for your cd project, and, using local printers, have the covers and backtrays manufactured for you. These can then be added during the jewel-case assembly process.

Design Considerations:

• Budget
  • Printed materials available in lots of 100 units. Fewer units dramatically increase price.
  • Cover variations with backtray include:
    • front-only single (square) insert
    • front-&-back single (square) insert
    • front-&-back booklet (one fold) insert
    (listed from less to more expensive)
  • Ask about other options
• Color
  • Extreme colors are harder to match between inkjet label and printed materials
  • CDs have a white background
  • Text should be rendered clearly through font attributes and color choices
• Logistics
  • Client will need to approve designs and physical printing proofs
  • First Art Records does not currently shrink-wrap or provide bar-codes (existing bar-codes can be displayed and printed)
  • Due to printing considerations, we recommend you print in lots of 100 units, and duplicate CDs as needed, which can be packaged as they are made by First Art Records.

When the process is complete, you will have a packaged CD in your hands of music (or data - like a portable website) that you created, ready for fans, promoters, press publicists, and anyone else (family holiday gifts, for example!). Let First Art Records put your music in your hands, so you can get it to the world! [ next ]

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Contact First Art Records for more details and information here.

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CD PRODUCTION
 

CD Duplication

CD label inkjet printing

CD packaging

Design and Printing