• Master can be submitted as a production-ready copy as DDP file with md5 checksum. It is also possible to submit the master as BIN+CUE, ISO or NRG files, but after prior approval from 8Merch team.
• Master can be submitted as a production-ready copy on CDR or DVDR. While submitting a physical master, please label it clearly “MASTER” on the disc surface, accompanied by artist name and release title.
• Master can be submitted as a zipped package with WAV files. However, it is obligatory to compile a DDP master image out of them, which we can perform as additional service charged at 50 EUR. You will receive that DDP image with embedded player, so you can listen and approve, before we process it further.
• You are strongly advised to keep a backup copy of the master.
• Master submitted to 8Merch must be prepared as a final release – we will replicate it to the total number of ordered copies.
• Please note that we offer professional mastering services, in case you are in need of them. Please contact us for detailed pricing.

• Total playing time should not exceed 74 minutes and 44 seconds (according to The Philips Red Book), but it possible to press CDs with longer playing times. However, 8Merch does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the final product when the total playing time exceeds 78 minutes.
• Total number of tracks should not exceed 99 and the minimum track playing time should be 4 seconds (according to The Philips Red Book).
• CD-Text / ISRC / EAN / UPC must be recorded onto the submitted master. Additional charges apply when 8Merch is ordered to insert the above mentioned codes / information. Please note that this meta data is not obligatory and it is only up to you, if you would like to include it on your master audio.

• Artwork can be printed with or without white background – please specify this option with your order.
• Depending on the artwork type, we can use either litho or screen printing on your CD on-body.
• Colour specification: CMYK. Additional Pantone colours can be applied.
• Resolution: min. 300dpi.
• Accepted file format: PDF. Other files format like EPS, TIFF, JPG are accepted only after prior approval from 8Merch team.
• It is advised to convert all fonts to outlines. Minimum size: 5,5 pt (positive) and 6 pt (negative).
• Trapping is required for image and line elements.

You can place your order using this website. Just go to Compact Disc Replication section and do one of the following:

• select a pre-defined package (if you are looking for a simple product)
• configure your package (if you want more customized product)
• fill in the quote form and send to us (if none of the above is sufficient)

Along with the order specification submitted through one of the ways described above, we will need the following to start your order processing:

• audio master uploaded to 8merch.wetransfer.com (if it is submitted in a digital format) or sent to our office (if submitted in a physical format)
• artwork files uploaded to 8merch.wetransfer.com (please check this page for detailed artwork preparation guideline)
• completed Copyright Declaration Form
• payment (we accept direct bank transfer, credit cards and PayPal)

Once your order is submitted, we check audio and artwork files you have provided us with. You receive digital proofs for all printed parts and after you have approved them, we will start the pressing and printing process.

Obviously, if there are any errors in the supplied files, we will notify you about that and instruct you what shall be corrected. Please check Artwork Preparation Guideline to learn more about how to correctly prepare the files as well as read through the most common mistakes.

Normally a CD replication order is fulfilled within 10 – 15 working days, counting from the day of all files approval and received payment. Please note that these are only estimates and the final turnaround time will depend on the quantity ordered and specification of the packaging. Additionally, these lead times may vary significantly, depending on the current workload and market situation and can both be shorter or longer. You can always drop us a line to check what is the current lead time.

After your order is fulfilled, we carefully pack it and ship to a desired destination. We ship worldwide via both standard and express delivery services and we can also drop ship to multiple location directly from our warehouse.

Last, but not least, at the end of the process, you will also receive a nice bonus from us – a set of professionally taken photos of your product, which you can use for commercial and marketing purposes.

• CD on-body for CD and DVD 117 mm [ pdf | indd ]

• 4-panel for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]
• 4-panel for 1CD with sleeve for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 4-panel for 1 CD with cut for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 4-panel for 2CDs [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 1CD with sleeve for booklet on left side [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 1CD with sleeve for booklet on right side [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 1CD with cut for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 2CDs v.1 [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 2CDs v.2 [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 2CDs with sleeve for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel for 3CDs [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 1CD with sleeve for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 1CD with two sleeves for booklets [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 2CDs [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 2CDs with sleeve for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 3CDs with sleeve for booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel for 4CDs [ pdf | indd ]
• 10-panel for 1CD (cross design) [ pdf | indd ]

• 4-panel with one sleeve [ pdf | indd ]
• 4-panel with two sleeves [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel with one sleeve [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel with two sleeves [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel with two sleeves [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel with three sleeves [ pdf | indd ]
• 8-panel with four sleeves [ pdf | indd ]

• 4-panel with a cut for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]
• 4-panel with a cut for 1CD and booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 4-panel with cuts for 2CD [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel with a cut for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel with a cut for 1CD and booklet [ pdf | indd ]
• 6-panel with cuts for 2CD [ pdf | indd ]

• Sleeve for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]
• Sleeve with holes for 1CD [ pdf | indd ]

• Stapled Booklet (4 – 32 pages) [ pdf | indd ]
• Stapled Booklet A5 / DVD (4 – 32 pages) [ pdf | indd ]
• Folded Booklet (6 pages) [ pdf | indd ]
• Folded Booklet (8 pages) [ pdf | indd ]
• Folded Booklet (12 pages) [ pdf | indd ]
• Poster Booklet (12 pages) [ pdf | indd ]

• Inlay Card for Jewel Box [ pdf | indd ]
• Inlay Card for Super Jewel Box [ pdf | indd ]
• Inlay Card for Maxi Single Box [ pdf | indd ]

So called glassmaster is metal-plated piece of glass, usually with around 24cm diameter, so twice bigger than replicated compact disc itself. Digital data is transferred onto the plate and galvanised in special room, which is – as some sources claim – 10 times more sterile than operation room in hospitals, as every piece of dust would interfere with the process. First of all, on piece of glass the photoresistant material is put, then the data in burnt usind a laser beam recorder (working with deep blue or ultraviolet laser). Afterwards, the disc is metalised and electroformed in galvanising bath with use of Nickel Sulfamate, from which we make the father matrix and the mother – final stamper for the machine. This process is very similar to production of vinyl stampers.

Glassmasters are very fragile and easy to contaminate, as well as fairly cheap in the whole production costs. For both of that reasons, very often if the re-order is placed even few weeks after the original production, the new glassmaster might be needed to produce.

Stamper is put onto the machine that injects the polycarbonate onto it, producing clean and transparent plastic discs with all information from the stamper (called pits and lands, which are read by the laser in your player) is transferred. Although the pits and lands are present on the disc at this point, laser in the player would not read them, which brings us to the next step of production.

The moulded discs are coated with a very thin (50 to 100 nm) sheet of aluminium. This step makes the CD readable by the laser, as now it would be able to read the pits and lands while reflecting from the aluminium. Over the aluminium sheet, a thin layer of plastic is placed as a coating, preventing the metalic layer from any scratches or damages.

Ready discs are taken from the injection machines and to the printers – depending on the artwork that should be printed on the disc, two techniques are used – either screenprinting (for vector graphics) or offset print (for full-colour CMYK photos or graphics). CDs are then put on so-called spindles, one on another and tightly wrapped on thermal machines.

If you ordered any packaging or covers, the discs are assembled together and shrinkwrapped. Afterwards, the production is ready to be fullfiled and delivered to your door.