CD and DVD Manufacturing Specifications

The following details the information we require to produce Compact Discs that meet both your deadlines and quality standards.
Some of the following requirements are legal, some technical and others are to assist in the efficient processing of your order.

Disc Label Specifications (1.4 – 1.13)

1.4 Film Specifications (disc label)

Grafxar Multimedia uses a screen printing process for printing the label onto the CD or DVD surface.

There are 3 types of printing that can be used with this process:

To produce the screens required for our screen printing process we require the disc label film to be supplied as:

The CD or DVD label must be supplied with one piece of film for each colour that is required to be printed. The appropriate PMS code and catalogue number must be marked clearly on each piece of film. Where a white base or specific colour is required as a base coat for the CD or DVD, film must be supplied to ensure exact registration of label print.

If the design is four colour process, a colour proof or a colour laser print must be supplied with the film.

1.5 Registration Marks (disc label)

To ensure correct registration of the print we have outlined the registration marks that must be included on the film as per diagram at 1.13. These must appear on every piece of film supplied.

1. A series of four dots need to be placed on the film work. These are critical to the automatic register system and the print machine performance and must be adhered to.

2. A series of cross hair crosses is also to be placed on the film. These will be used as a back up system to the dots. The size of the cross hairs is not critical but the distance from the image is.

1.6 Half Tones and Duotones (disc label)

Grafxar Multimedia are able to print halftones and duotones onto the disc label. Strict attention to detail is required when printing halftones or duotones, please ensure you abide by the following specifications:

1.7 Colour Process Disc Label (Picture Discs)

Four colour process (picture) disc labels use the CMYK colour combination.

It must be noted that the disc label surface is silver, not white. In the case where key features are required to be white (i.e. teeth or eyes on a face) a white base must be printed first.

Where a white base is required as a base coat for the CD or DVD, film must be supplied to ensure exact registration of label print.

When printing four colour process with a white base there is still one head available in the printing machine to allow one more colour to be printed. If there is any text that is reversed out of the four colours it may be better to over print the text as a sixth colour. The result of this is a sharper and more legible text.

Where appropriate our graphic art department would be happy to advise in the initial design of the picture disc so that the process can be tailored to the design.

The film specifications for printing a 4 colour process disc label are as follows:

1.8 Identification (disc label)

We recommend your catalogue number be included in the CD or DVD label artwork to ensure correct identification. Each piece of label film must be marked with the catalogue number and the corresponding PMS colour.

The identification must appear outside the image area and be a minimum of 12 points in a bold type face.

1.9 Colours (disc label only)

Grafxar Multimedia uses the Pantone Matching System (PMS) as a standard colour system. UV curable inks are used and can match any coated PMS colour including metallics and fluorescents. Custom matches of customer supplied samples are also available apon request. It should be noted that PMS colours printed directly onto the CD or DVD's metal surface can appear slightly different in colour than those printed on paper.

1.10 Type Set and Line Width (disc label)

A minimum size of 5 pt. for text in positive print
A minimum size of 7 pt. for text in negative print (reversed out)
A minimum size of 0.15 mm for positive print
A minimum size of 0.25mm for lines in negative print (reversed out)

1.11 Trapping (disc label)

CD or DVD label trapping for screen printing requires a minimum overlap of 0.40mm (an overprint stroke/outline of 0.88mm).

1.12 Logos (disc label)

If the film includes the optional Phillips Cd logo, it must appear in the correct proportion on the disc.

1.13 Print Area Compact Disc (disc label)

The maximum outer print diameter is 117mm. The inner print diameter is 36mm. The centre area between the stacking ring and the centre hole may also be printed. The outside diameter of this are is 21mm. Ink printed inside this inner area will appear a lighter colour than the rest of the disc, as this section of the disc is clear, not silver. The stacking ring area must be left clear (reversed out) on all film.

The dimensions for the stacking ring are:

36mm outer diameter
33mm inner diameter

The following diagram is not 100% CD or DVD size and may not be used as a template for sizing. Please note the keylines in the diagram are to be used as a guide only. All keylines must be deleted on finished separated filmwork.

Where a white base or a specific colour is required as a base coat for the CD or DVD, film must be supplied to ensure exact registration of label print.