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3. The "Glass Master": The Key Difference

Part 7 • CD Replication vs. Duplication

The creation of a "glass master" is the defining technical difference between replication and duplication. For replication, a highly precise laser etches your digital data onto a glass disc, which is then electroplated to create a metal stamper. This stamper is then used like a mold. This process is very expensive and time-consuming to set up, but once the stamper is made, copies can be produced very quickly and cheaply. Duplication, by contrast, skips this entire process and simply burns data onto pre-made, blank discs.

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In this module: CD Replication vs. Duplication10 steps
  1. 1CD Duplication: Burning onto Blank CDRs (Small Batches)
  2. 2CD Replication: Pressing from a Glass Master (Large Runs)
  3. 3The "Glass Master": The Key Difference
  4. 4Cost Implications: Setup Fees vs. Per-Unit Cost
  5. 5Quality and Durability
  6. 6Strategic Decision-Making: Which Process to Choose?
  7. 7Artwork and Packaging Considerations
  8. 8Environmental Impact
  9. 9The Role of the ISRC in Both Processes
  10. 10Your Actionable Physical Media Strategy