How long does it take to custom screen-print CD-R or DVD-R discs?

Upon art approval, please use the following guidelines to determine when we will have your discs ready for shipment. Don’t forget to add additional time for shipping.

On orders requiring 1-3 colors allow 5 business days. On orders requiring 4-6 colors, allow 7 business days. Turn times can be adjusted if necessary. Ask your customer service representative if you require expedited delivery and we will make every effort to accommodate.

What are Diversified Systems capabilities for screen-printing CD-R or DVD-R discs?

Diversified Systems can produce up to 50,000 screen-printed discs each day. We have several high speed, state of the art screen-printing systems that deliver exceptional throughput as well as remarkable registration and print quality.

What is film and why do I need it for screen-printing?

Just like in your camera, it holds the image of your artwork so that we can make the screens that print your job.

What is a screen?

This is where the name “silk screen” comes from. Although we no longer use silk, a special fabric is mounted on a metal frame and a photosensitive emulsion is applied. It is exposed to light with your film in place and then it is developed. This “screen” is then mounted on the press and only allows ink through in the areas designated by your artwork. Without the screen there would be no print.

What is a PMS color?

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. This is the international authority on color standards for printing. When you ask us to print a particular PMS color, we will refer to this standard to make sure we are printing the color correctly.

What do you mean by CMYK?

This refers to four color process or full color printing using cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Should I use a white plate when printing a CMYK job?

Generally this is a good idea. CMYK images are made to print on a white background. However, sometimes the reflective silver of the media may provide a desired effect for certain images.

What level of resolution can I expect with screen-printing?

Our film is output at 2400 dpi and halftone images are at 100 lines per inch unless requested at a lower resolution.

How do you know exactly what color to use on my order?

A PMS color is selected (like PMS 185 red), or you can provide a sample of the color you want.

Can you match a special color?

Yes, we can take your color sample and send it to our ink supplier to be matched. This may take a little longer as you will need to see and approve a proof of the color.

Why does my disc have a different appearance than my brochure?

Screen print inks use different pigments than offset inks. Our colors are actually a simulation of the PMS color. Also, offset inks are truly transparent and blend together on the sheet of paper. Screen inks are fairly opaque and print one on top of the other creating a three dimensional image.

Why does the color change on different brands of CD-R media?

Manufacturers use various colored dyes that cause the background and sometimes the ink to take on a different cast.

Why does the color change under different lighting?

Any color you see is actually reflected light. If you are in full sunlight you will see what is called full spectrum. If you are in subdued or artificial lighting you will only see colors that are available through this more limited spectrum of light waves.

Why does the photo look too light on the silver disc?

This is due to the lack of contrast. The disc is about 20% darker than a white sheet of paper therefore the picture appears flat. It is like turning down the contrast on your television or monitor.

Can I also print on DVD-R?

Yes you can. Our equipment will handle DVD-R just like it does for CD-R. The inks that we use are also manufactured for DVD-R decoration.

Should I have a proof disc done first?

This can be a very good idea, especially if the appearance of the final product is critical and/or you are ordering in larges quantities. A proof disc is really the only way for you to see exactly what your finished job will look like.

Does the print process affect duplication?

No it does not. The inks and UV driers are made to work with CD-R. The handling systems on the press protect the recording surface during the printing process.