• Duplication vs. Replication
• What About Shipping And Customs?
• International Orders
• What Is Your Ordering Policy?
• How Much Is A Re-Order?
• What About Over-Runs?
• Do I Get Shrinkwrap?
• Made In Canada Requirement
• My Proofs Look Odd
• Who Adds The Catalogue Number?
• Can I Send My Master or Artwork Late?
• Can I Send You Color Samples?
• Do You Return Order Assets?
• Can I Get Samples?

Duplication vs. Replication.

There are two primary data discs available for use in a computer or audio music system; CD-R and CD-ROM. Both play and perform identically but are dramatically different inside.

CD-R: the "R" stands for Recordable where the consumer (or duplication house) burns data directly to the blank disc one at a time. CD-R uses a light sensitive chemical substrate layer which is 'etched' by a burning laser. CD-R burners are readily available in most computer supply stores and can easily be hooked up to your computer so that you may enjoy the benefits of archiving data or music onto a compact disc. The process is time consuming (at low burning speeds) so making vast quantities of CD-R discs yourself is unrealistic. Most CD-R houses offer lower quality ink jet printing rather than CD-ROM's high quality silk screen printing.

CD-ROM: the "ROM" stands for Read Only Memory where a CD plant (like CDman) molds a disc from scratch using plastic injection molding and aluminum sputtering to form a disc containing your supplied data (music or computer files). It is an exact stamped clone, time after time. The process is highly complicated and technical, but well suited if high volumes and universal compatibility is required. Most (not all) CD-Rs are u.v. light sensitive and thus more prone to failure during extended shelf life. CD-ROM is generally more durable than CD-R in long term, frequent use. CDman offers high quality silk screen printing process on the disc face. Please contact us for more info.

Duplication uses CD-R recorder technology to "burn" data into a pre-manufactured compact disc. The data is etched into the blank disc by using a CD recorder. If you need less than 500 CDs go CD-R. Keep in mind that there are set up charges involved for these low-volume orders; check to make sure this is an economical choice for you by comparing replication costs with duplication!

Replication - the process of "stamping" your data into an injection molded CD. The process involves multiple steps which result in a higher quality product overall.

What About Shipping and Customs?

CDman is located in Canada. Thanks to the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) there are no duties or tariffs for orders shipping to the United States or Mexico. Canadian tax is only applicable for orders being shipped to a Canadian destination. Please note that In order to qualify for NAFTA (ie: no duties or tariffs) all retail products (eg: CD in a jewel box with wrap) need to show "Made In Canada" on the outside traycard.

All courier shipments quoted travel Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays. Please check with your sales representative for ground shipping details and rates.

Why Does Shipping Cost So Much?

Packaged CDs and DVDs are bulkier and heavier than you might think. Consider that 1000 CDs in jewel boxes can total 5 to 7 boxes and weigh up to 250 pounds.

What About International Orders?

Currently, CDman only accepts orders being shipped outside of North America on a limited basis. International orders are handled through our Vancouver sales office and prepaid by bank wire transfer. We can not accept credit cards for international orders. Please note that if you request CDs in plastic jewel boxes to ship over seas it will be very expensive.

To place an order outside of North America you must first request a price quote and let us know your FULL ADDRESS in the comments box. Our price quote forms can NOT give International shipping rates immediately. Shipping will be quoted for FEDEX International priority only. Please do not fax us your requests.

Steps to getting rates:

• 1. Select your product for a price quote.
• 2. Fill out the form and submit
• 3. Receive the quote to your email box
• 4. If you are interested in our prices and would like shipping rates - REPLY TO THE QUOTE WITH YOUR FULL ADDRESS and request shipping rates.

CDman will provide FEDEX INTERNATIONAL shipping rates within 24 hours during regular business days.

NOTE: CDman's warranties for goods exported from outside North America vary, or may even be null and void. All orders are shipped FOB CDman and all import duties, shipping charges and taxes are the responsibility of the purchaser. If you have any questions about tariffs and import duties you must check with your local chamber of commerce. CDman does not assign these rates so it is up to you to determine any and all applicable import duties and taxes. FedEx will always declare the full value of your purchase in US dollars - no exceptions.

What Is CDman's Ordering and Pricing Policy?

Our policy at CDman is to provide you with the highest quality standards available in the industry and we will never sacrifice this quality in order to save us money. Your project will always be treated with respect and we will not rest until you are completely satisfied with your order. We have worked hard to be able to pass on savings to you. Our prices reflect our commitment to provide independent artists and software developers with superior quality, excellent service and fair price!

How Much Is A Re-Order?

When you place a re-order you don't have to pay for any of the one-time-only charges you already paid for on your first order. This relates to Pre-Press and Film. CDman does not charge for glass mastering so there is no applicable deduction for re-orders.

In an effort to reduce waste and provide more environmentally-friendly solutions, in 2008 we dropped our minimum quantity for offset-printed paper inserts to 500 pieces (from 1,000 pieces). Due to this, 500 unit CD or DVD orders no longer have additional print stored for future use.

What About Over-Runs?

CDman does not normally charge for over or under runs on a CD project. If you order 1000 CDs then we make all efforts to deliver 1000 CDs. A small percentage of orders may experience an under run because of our high standards and thorough testing performed after the run is completed but you will never be charged for anything which you do not receive. In an effort to reduce waste and provide more environmentally-friendly solutions, in 2008 we dropped our minimum quantity for offset-printed paper inserts to 500 pieces (from 1,000 pieces). Due to this, 500 unit CD or DVD orders no longer have additional print stored for future use.

What About Shrink Wrap?

Shrink wrap (also called Polywrap or Overwrap) is always included with all web-based quotes for CD Jewel Cases, Digipak, and DVD Library Cases. The quoted web price also includes all final assembly. There are, however, additional assembly and shrink wrap charges for cardboard pouches so please ensure you have been quoted properly with regard to these charges.

What About This "Made In Canada" Requirement?

Please visit this page for information.

The PDF Proofs I Received Look Odd... What's Up?

PDF proof files will display on screen as approximately 72 dpi. They are *not* final print resolution or color accurate. Resolution is reduced to enable a much smaller file to be saved and downloaded.

If you are concerned about the quality of the proof try to PRINT the file. We had this comment from one customer:

"Hey there, I tried an experiment with the PDF files, I printed them out on my printer instead of just looking at them on the monitor. When printed they look totally smooth and normal. Must be something weird with PDFs in general, they look bad but print good? You might want to mention this to people in the future who have the same questions as me."

As you might guess PDF files are not perfect, as Adobe (the makers of PDF technology) are basically enabling a sort of color FAX to take place here. Rely on your {source} files to check resolution. If your images are high quality going in, then during the final print stage your images will be fine. If you still have concerns and are not confident that your images are up to your standards then CDman can produce high-resolution PDFs but be warned - these will be very large files and may take a long time to download OR we can print out high resolution hard copies and FedEx them to you for additional charges. If you examine the {source files} you sent us and check your images for proper resolution (300 dpi) and also that the words (letters you typed) are not embedded into photos, you can then use the PDF for text and photo alignment and for POST SCRIPT FONT ACCURACY. Go back to the PDF and ZOOM up to 1600% and look at the edges of the letters. You should see very slight 'steps' or jaggies on the edges of the letters. If you do you can rest assured that your fonts are VECTOR based and will look fine once printed. If you see severe pixilation on the curves of the letters email us a REJECTION notice and ask us to check the files for you.

Do I Need A Catalogue Or Reference Number On My CD or DVD?

Reference numbers that appear on the artwork are up to the designer's (your) discretion where and if to place them. CDman does not automatically add them for you. The choice of what to use is up to you to decide as any alpha-numeric combination will do as long as it is no longer than 13 characters in length and you do not use dashes or spaces.

CDman suggests that you follow the pattern that 99% of all the CDs out there follow, and that is to add your chosen reference number to your traycard spines and the CD itself, in discreet, easy to read text. For ideas, just refer to your favorite major label artist to see how they do it.

Can I Place My Order Now And Send My Artwork Or Master Later?

We are happy to receive your order forms and payment now and then have your designer or mastering house Fedex materials to us later on. These are a few important instructions to inform all parties:

All shipments bound for CDman must have a declared value of $10 or less. Any package with a high dollar value is assessed a duty and tax and will therefore be returned as undeliverable causing you grief and delays. We can not stress the importance of this point any stronger.

• All packages should contain one or more of the following identifiers:
• The project reference number (the one you placed on your order forms)
• The project title (the one you placed on your order forms)
• The project coordinator contact information (ie: your phone number or the person placing the order)

Please make an effort to solidify the dates that these materials will arrive to us.

Can I Send You My Own Color Print-Outs For You To Match To?

No sorry, your digital file's colors are already 'locked' and something that you should not expect our pre-press staff to adjust. You see, your PC's color printer's calibration is dramatically different than our large web offset presses, therefore what you see on your personal printed page can be quite dramatically different to what the digital files are actually calling for. The use of Pantone guidebooks to see SWOP color swatches is a critical step to determining the printed final results of color, rather than guessing at your screen or a local PC's printed color page. Visit a local pre-press service bureau or graphics shop to see Pantone SWOP (standard web offfset) guidebooks or visit http://www.pantone.com

Do I Get My Films and Masters Returned With My CDs?

Unless instructed to the contrary at the time of order, CDman will retain all production assets and store them for 12 months. This includes content master disc, artwork, paperwork, glass master, and film. If you have any problems with the quality of your order we need to have production assets on hand to verify the source of the problem. After 12 months any materials that remain in CDman's possession may be disposed of.

Should you decide that you want assets returned to you AFTER your order has left our facility, we will make your assets available for you to pick up. Alternatively, you can supply us with your courier account # and we will ship the goods on your account. Once assets are returned there can be no claims or warranty issued.

IMPORTANT: CDman waives any responsibility for the safe-keeping of your supplied assets. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to maintain back-up copies of all assets for safe-keeping and/or archival purposes.

What About Samples?

What are samples not good for?

• The content of a disc is completely determined by the customer's source master. Samples that indicate audio quality are not available. CDman guarantees 100% clone of your master. Rest assured your source master and our optical discs will match verbatim.
• The design and quality of on-disc or paper printing is primarily determined by the customer's source files. Print quality differs dramatically depending on the files we receive. The image quality and coloration is directly tied to the talents of the graphics designer. Yes, we can send a sample that in our opinion displays the best quality layout, but it does not mean you automatically will get this kind of quality.
• CDman uses 100lb coated book stock semi-gloss varnish for all it's CD jackets and traycards which is a superior choice for durability and clarity. CDman delivers 100% retail ready, high quality pressing that is every bit on the same level if not better than major recording labels. If you order from CDman you are buying the best quality CD money can buy.

Please be aware of the limitations and usefulness of samples.