service guide

We’d be delighted to show you, or as many of your team as you like, around our factory and take you

through the stages of production from repro to platemaking and printing.

Even if you’ve seen it all before, just come over for a coffee and a poke around!

alpha and the environmentWe recognise the importance of environmental protection and are committed to operating our business responsibly.

We are an ISO 14001 certified company and strive to keep our environmental impact to an absolute minimum.

We have put in place measures to reduce our own energy and material usage, to favour green suppliers, to recycle and reuse as much as possible.

While we’ll be the first to admit we’re not perfect, we are continually working on this and are constantly looking at ways to improve further.

In this guide you will find a range of sustainable print and packaging solutions to help you keep your carbon footprint as small as possible too.

You can find our full environmental policy at: www.alpha-duplication.com/environment

Hi,Welcome to our latest service & price guide.

As ever, we’ve got lots going on. Our Blu-ray authoring

suite is now up and running, our digital print services

are better than ever and our new bolt-on packs are

selling like hot cakes.

Whether you need CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays or USBs,

packaging or just paper parts, we’re sure that we’ll

be able to help.

We don’t have room here to cover everything that we

do, but please visit us at www.alpha-duplication.com

or give us a call on 0800 731 7042 to find out more.

We’d love to hear from you.

what’s inside

duplication & replication ......... 4

disc printing .............................. 6

audio services ........................... 8

video services .........................10

paper printing .........................12

packaging ................................14

assembly .................................16

artwork & reprographics .......17

specifications ..........................18

duplication (burning)If you need smaller quantities of discs or if you need your discs back in a hurry then use our duplication service. We have one of the UK’s largest duplication facilities which means you benefit from express lead times at no additional cost.

How does it work?Pre-manufactured discs have a dyed layer within them. When data is burned to the disc, the properties of this layer change, recording the data.

Widely used and compatible with all •but the oldest playersMost efficient for quantities below a •thousand3-5 day turnaround•

We only use the very best media, giving you faultless and reliable discs.

replication (pressing)If your discs are heading for retail or if you need several thousand copies then we recommend replicated discs.

How does it work?Replication is a manufacturing process in which the disc is moulded (pressed) from a specially created Glass Master. It is then metalised and covered with a protective lacquer.

Mass production process• Necessary for retail products• Cost effective for large quantities• 10-12 day turnaround•

duplication vs replicationso what’s the best way of producing your discs?

Power in your pocket

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5

INCREASE YOUR DEFINITION BLU-RAY BOLT-ON PACKS PAGE 11

CDThe compact disc is the original and still the most widespread form of optical disc.

We duplicate:

Standard 12cm•Mini 8cm CD-R •Business Card•Custom Shaped CD-R•

and we replicate:

CD-ROM (data) •CD-DA (audio) •CD Extra/Enhanced (data & audio)• Mini 8cm CDs •Business card CDs •Shaped CDs•

DVDWe duplicate & replicate DVDs in any quantity and any size

We duplicate:

Standard 12cm DVD-R•Mini 8cm DVD-R •Dual Layer 8.5Gb DVD+R/-R•Copy Protected DVD-R/+R•

and we replicate:

DVD-5 - 4.7Gb •(single sided, single layer)DVD-9 - 8.5Gb •(single sided, dual layer)

DVD-10 - 9.4Gb • (double sided, single layer)Mini 8cm DVDs•Business card DVDs•Shaped DVDs•

Blu-rayWe now offer a complete duplication service for 25Gb BD-R media. Using the latest Pioneer recorders and Grade A media, your copies will have the highest compatibility rating in the industry.

BD-R is ideal for short run production and avoids the AACS minefield associated with full scale replication, allowing you to get your product to market quickly and with minimal expense.

Blu-ray replication is suitable for any quantity of discs but economical for runs over a thousand. We can press, print and pack your discs ready for retail and hold your hand through the process.

With Blu-ray there are various differences both in manufacturing and licencing that need to be understood. We can help you with AACS content protection and licensing as well as mastering and encryption keys.

formats

disc printingwe hope that we don’t come across as too much of a boasty-pants, but we do take a lot of pride in the quality of our printed discs

We can com

bine screen printing and litho printing on the same disc - giving you the best of both worlds.

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Our reputation for making great looking discs is no fluke. From the moment we receive your artwork through the proofing

stages and the printing, quality is always a priority.

We don’t want to stop there though and we are always

looking at ways to improve it. We hope you

agree that it’s now better than ever.

screen printingScreen printing is the original method of disc printing to CDs, DVDs, BD-Rs and for designs that use Pantone colours or bold colours in the design, it remains the most effective.

We can screen print a maximum of six colours (including white base) to your disc, either as Pantone colours, CMYK, or a combination of both.

Screen printing also allows us to use specialist inks. So if you would like your disc to have metallic or fluorescent colours, or a varnish, this is the process to use.

Screen printing is available on all 12cm and 8cm disc formats

for a more interesting looking disc, try adding a matt varnish or use metallic or f uorescent colours

wet proofsPRINT CHECK DISCS ARE CHARGED AT£30 PLUS REPRO COSTS OF £10 PERCOLOUR.

IF YOU PROCEED WITH A PRODUCTION

RUN WITHIN TEN WORKING DAYS USING

THE SAME ARTWORK, THE REPRO COSTS

WILL BE REFUNDED.

All our discs are printed alongside a calibrated Fiery proof for the very best colour matching available.

We can com

bine screen printing and litho printing on the same disc - giving you the best of both worlds.

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litho printingIn May 2007 we began offset litho printing to CD-R & DVD-R media. By December, demand was so great that we ordered a second machine. The quality of four-colour printing onto recordable media was finally at its peak.

Our litho printers allow us to print CMYK on a white base. This can then be printed with an additional, screen printed spot colour on the same machine, allowing you to have both continuous tone images and a Pantone colour on the same disc.

Litho printing is available on all 12cm & 8cm disc formats.

All discs are printed alongside a calibrated Fiery proof to ensure that they have the very best colour matching available.

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wet proofsPRINT CHECK DISCS ARE CHARGED AT£30 PLUS REPRO COSTS OF £10 PERCOLOUR.

IF YOU PROCEED WITH A PRODUCTION

RUN WITHIN TEN WORKING DAYS USING

THE SAME ARTWORK, THE REPRO COSTS

WILL BE REFUNDED.

IMAGE CONSCIOUS? ARTWORK & REPRO PAGE 17

listen upWhether you’re producing a CD of your band, orchestra or your local bagpipe quartet, you need to know about all the extra bits that we can do to help you get the most from your release.

Our services go far beyond printing and duplicating discs. We have a range of pre-release services to help you get the most from your CD. We can even supply you with t-shirts and other merchandise to sell alongside your discs.

Our audio customers have their very own special website. Find it at:

audio.alpha-duplication.com

audio services

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bells and whistlesNo, we’re not talking about folk music. Take a look at all these extra features that you can have to compliment your disc:

As one of our audio customers you can take advantage of our audio bolt-on pack. The pack includes all the following pre-release services:

ISRC Code assignment •and embeddingGracenote registration•CD text•Barcodes•Frame•

All of these services are available as individual elements & charges may apply. And yes, the audio bolt-on pack is only available for customers who order CDs from us.

International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) provides the means to automatically identify recordings for royalty payments. If your tracks have already been assigned ISRC codes, we can embed them into your master disc. We can also generate the codes here if you need us to.

Gracenote is a database of information about music. When your disc is inserted into a computer with suitable software, most notably iTunes, it will recognise the CD and download the artist, album and track names. We can register your CD details with Gracenote for you.

CD Text, like Gracenote, is a way for CD players to obtain track names. Rather than an external database, the information is stored on a tiny portion of the disc. This is often used on car stereos.

Barcodes are essential if your discs will be sold in a retail environment. We will create and register your barcode with GS1 UK (the administrators of UK retail barcodes) and add them to your artwork for you.

Enhanced CD An Enhanced CD (aka CD plus or CD Extra) is divided into two parts, one containing audio and the other data. You can use this extra functionality to include photos, video clips, lyrics or web links on your disc.

Presentation Frame Mark the release of your disc with an exclusive (and pretty tasty) framed copy of your disc and packaging. The frame includes an engraved plaque with the artist, title and release date of the CD.

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visit us at www.alpha-duplication.comcall us on 0800 731 7042

AUDIO BOLT-ON

only

£50FOR MORE PRICES GIVE US A CALL

Let us give your DVD or Blu-ray release the professional finish that it deserves.

As with all our discs, we insist on using the highest quality media. For Blu-ray duplication we exclusively use TDK BD-Rs, as tests have shown them to be the most reliable on the market.Our in-house master suite is equipped with Hollywood standard software such as Sonic Scenarist, Cinevision Encoder, Adobe Photoshop & Adobe After Effects CS4.

Generally all we need is your video footage supplied in an appropriate format and a brief to get started. Building your complete disc can include some or all of the following:

Video Encoding•Video Editing•Branded Menu Creation•Looping•PAL / NTSC Conversion•

Video authoring can be quite a personal experience so we encourage you to give us as much information in your brief as possible. Better still, come in and talk through your project expectations with our team.

video servicesour dvd and blu-ray services are bursting with bonus features

five reasons to turn bluWithin the first three years of their •release, 8% of homes already have Blu-ray playback equipment. This makes them the most successful adopted format in history.Adoption of HD screens in Western •Europe will be 60% by the end of 2010 and 85% by the end of 2013. UK is ahead of this trend.Three years after their launch, •Blu-ray discs & players are much cheaper than DVDs in real terms.By the end of 2011 it is estimated •that 20% of homes will have Blu-ray players.It is estimated that by 2013, 45% of •the combined revenue of download, Blu-ray, and DVD sales will come from Blu-ray.

Our exclusive copy

protection system

ALPHA:Protect is

available on both

replicated DVD-5/9.

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Everything that you need to make your Blu-ray releases effortless and affordable.

VC-1 Video encoding•Basic Menu Design•Duplication•Printing•Packaging•

All of these services are available as individual elements & charges may apply.

blu-ray servicesWith a host of new in-house services to help you make a fying start into the world of blu-ray, you’ll be surprised how easy it can be.

The age of high-definition is now truly upon us. Make sure you capitalise on it.Producing Blu-ray discs is no longer the exclusive territory of the major studios. Blu-ray recordable discs can be produced in any quantity and are not subject to AACS charges associated with full scale replication.

VC-1 Video encodingEnjoy the benefits of our fully equipped mastering suite. Sonic CineVision’s outstanding image quality and comprehensive Blu-ray Disc legalisation guarantees compliant discs. It is no surprise that it is the encoder of choice in Hollywood.

Menu DesignSupply us with a brief and the components and we’ll build a menu structure for your disc. We’ll also include:

A play-all button•Chapter points every five minutes•Return to menu screen at end•

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visit us at www.alpha-duplication.comcall us on 0800 731 7042

BLU-RAY BOLT-ON from

£2.60per disc

FOR MORE PRICES GIVE US A CALL

Even with the best of intentions, a paperless office is a rare place. You have to admit it’s pretty handy stuff. From documentation and packaging to promotional materials, there’s no shortage of ways that we can help you make use of it.

We don’t like waste though and for smaller quantities, we print digitally. So if you only need one hundred copies, that’s all we’ll print.

Our paper is sourced from FSC approved suppliers from managed forests and of course completely biodegradeable.

digital printingWay back in the not so-distant past, digital printing was considered the scruffy kid-brother of litho printing. A well-earned reputation, quite frankly. It did try, but the best it could manage often looked a little home-made compared with the professional print that a litho could turn out.

But now digital print is all grown up and the best machines (we’d like to think we can include ours in that) can give litho a run for its money. In fact, you’d often be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two and in some cases digital print is arguably better.

So if you need smaller quantities, or extra quick turnarounds, give digital printing a go. We promise you’ll be impressed.

paper printingfrom disc packaging to your company stationery, we’ve got it covered

Want to see a sample of our digital print?No problem - just give us a call

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a smooth finish Our in-house digital print suite is also tooled with stitching, trimming, die-cutting and gluing equipment.

Whether you need stationary, booklets, wallets or a bespoke solution, we can produce them efficiently and tailored to your needs. All on-site with you in control.

packagingclothes maketh the man, packaging maketh the disc

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Before people see your disc, they will see its packaging. You want to create a good impression, so how should you dress your disc?

Smart, practical and above all stylish, our packaging range has it all.

Whether you want an off-the-peg packaging or a bespoke number, we’ll have something that fits like an erm... digipack. Or a card wallet or a Jakebox, if that’s what you prefer.

Take a trip to the online boutique that is www.alpha-duplication.com/packaging or give us a call. You can put any thoughts of ‘you can’t go out dressed like that’ firmly to the back of your mind.

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eco-packs are made of potato starch and are 100% biodegradable (and they look fantastic too)

slipcases can contain a single case or several to create a boxset

unique and eye-catching - make your discs stand out with a

jakebox

or choose from our vast range of traditional and off-the-shelf packaging such as

jewel cases or

dvd cases

minimise your shipping costs with our lightweight and inexpensive

card wallets

digipacks are stylish, versatile and come in a range of different configurations to suit you

call us or visit www.alpha-duplication.com for loads more examples

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We have an excellent mix of automatic packaging equipment and experienced, quality-conscious staff.

Some of the services we offer are:

• CD/DVD/Blu-Ray case assembly • Cellophane over-wrapping • Labelling • Shrink wrapping • Collation • Hand assembly • Re-pack orders • Distribution

For CD & DVD cases we run Gima & Otari automated packaging lines giving us fast, accurate product assembly every time. Cases can then be cellophane over-wrapped, with or without tear strips giving you a retail quality finish.

For special orders, our experienced assembly teams take over to make sure that your product is perfectly packed. Team leaders ensure that components are allocated correctly throughout and constantly check the work for defects or errors. All finished packs are double checked again before they are despatched.

As well as cellophane over-wrapping, we run two fully automated shrink wrapping lines, ideal for finishing digipacks, cartons, slipcases and other non-standard products.

assemblyputting it all together

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visit us at www.alpha-duplication.comcall us on 0800 731 7042

artwork & reprographicslooking after your image from start to finishWhen you send us your artwork you can be confident it is in safe hands.

Our artwork team will work with you and are able to advise on the advantages and limitations of the different print processes to get the best results for your design. We have a wide customer base and deal with both design agencies and novices on a daily basis, helping them get the best out of their print.

designWe have an experienced in-house design team who will create fantastic looking disc and packaging artwork for you.

You may have an idea of what you’d like or have certain fonts, images and ideas you would like us to use. If so, let us know and we’ll work with you to develop them into finished artwork.

If you are supplying finished artwork, we take the same amount of care to make sure that everything is correct.

proofingBefore we start printing anything, we will check with you that everything is as it should be. The simplest and quickest way for us to do this is to send a PDF via email. Once you’ve had a look over it and are happy that it is correct, just let us know. Where colour is very critical, other proofing methods such as cromalins or wet proofs are available and we’d recommend that in these instances. We are also very happy to colour-match against any materials that you have had previously printed.

Colour accuracy is an absolutely crucial part of the printing process, so all of our printed discs are matched against calibrated digital proofs to make sure we get your colours absolutely spot on.

artwork specifications120mm

cd-r / dvd-r / double layer dvd+r

23mm

117mm

23mm

33mm

117mm

120mm cd-rw

38mm

Please use these templates when sending us artwork.Litho print: CMYK plus one additional spot colour (screen printed) and white baseScreen print: spot colours or CMYK up to five colours plus additional white base

Other templates can be found at

www.alpha-duplication.com

the small print1. DefinitionsThe “Seller” means Alpha Duplication Limited. The “Buyer” means any firm, person or company who places an order with the seller. The “Goods” means any goods or services supplied by the Seller to the Buyer.2. Conditions ApplicableUnless specifically agreed beforehand, the Conditions of this contract will always prevail over any conditions stipulated by the Buyer. All disputes arising shall be governed by English Law.

3. Specific Conditions of SaleThe Seller retains the right to decline to trade with a buyer. If in the event of payment having already been received from the buyer, this payment is deemed refundable in full.4. PriceThe price charged for goods and services shall be quoted in advance by the Seller to the Buyer. The Seller reserves the right to alter its price list at any time without notice in accordance with cost variations.5. PaymentWhere terms of credit have been agreed by both the Buyer and Seller, the Seller’s invoices are strictly payable within 30 days of

the date of invoice. Should payment not be received in full by the due date, the Seller reserves the right to charge interest on any amount outstanding at the current Bank of England Base Rate plus 2% per month (accruing daily) together with any legal fees and costs incurred by the Seller in recovering monies due.6. DeliveryAlthough every care shall be taken to ensure that a delivery date is met, the Seller shall have the right to cancel or delay a delivery if circumstances prevent the normal manufacturing process from being completed to the Seller’s satisfaction. In the case of any shortfall in quality of the goods received by the Buyer, the Buyer must notify the Seller within two working

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23mm

80mm cd-r / dvd-r

117mm

delivery chargesNext day, mainland UK delivery rates are:

First 10Kg @ £12.50, thereafter £0.40 per Kg. From around 5000 discs it’s often cheaper to send them by pallet. If that’s the case we’ll let you know and charge it accordingly. Surcharges will apply for timed deliveries.

If you want to arrange collection, you can.

We can also ship direct to your client with white label packaging. Supply your own delivery notes, logo or template and we’ll print them for you. It doesn’t cost extra but it may save on shipping costs.

days of the delivery date. The Seller will then investigate the matter within seven days and ensure that appropriate compen-sation is granted within a further fourteen days. 7. Risk and TitleThe Buyer will assume the risk of the goods immediately upon receipt either by him, or an appointed agent. However, title to the goods shall remain in the hands of the Seller until that point at which full settlement has been received by the Seller. At any time before settlement, the Seller is entitled to recover goods held by the Buyer and for that purpose, the Buyer is deemed to have granted the Seller, or someone acting on the Seller’s behalf, express rights to enter the Buyer’s premises at which the goods are stored for repossession purposes.

The Buyer’s rights to resell any goods not settled in full will be deemed revoked in the event of the appointment of an administrative receiver to the Buyer.8. CopyrightUpon placing an order, the Buyer must ensure that he is the owner of all necessary Copyright regarding the goods, or is acting upon instruction of the owner. The Seller reserves the right to request copyright proof of ownership and necessary licensing from the Buyer. The Buyer’s failure to produce such documents is deemed sufficient reason for the Seller to terminate an order placed.

9. Force MajeureThe Seller will not be responsible for delays, damages and non-performance beyond the Company’s reasonable control and in such cases reserves the right to delay or suspend delivery as circumstances permit. The Seller will ensure, however, that in such instances, the Buyer is kept aware of all relevant external circumstances. All prices listed are exclusive of VAT, they are supplied as a guide only and do not constitute an offer to sell.

© Alpha Duplication Ltd 2010. All rights reserved. Alpha Duplication Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 4321902.

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visit us at www.alpha-duplication.comcall us on 0800 731 7042

117mm

23mm

business card cd / dvd

64mm

Alpha Duplication Limited HEAD OFFICE & MANUFACTURINGUnit 2 Halifax RoadCressex Business ParkHigh WycombeBuckinghamshireHP12 3SD

T: + 44 (0) 1494 536 646F: +44 (0) 1494 536 651E: info@alpha-duplication.com

CASTLEFORD SALES OFFICEUnit 3aFlemming CourtGlasshoughtonCastlefordWF10 5HW

T: +44 (0) 1977 516604F: +44 (0) 1977 519271

DUBLIN SALES OFFICESuite 916 Herbert StreetDublin 2Republic of Ireland

T: +353 (0) 1 619 0649

0800 731 7042www.alpha-duplication.com