Duplication Centre

Artwork

This page lists options for creating artwork for use on your discs and case covers/booklets, and gives details of the format in which we need to receive artwork from you.

How to create artwork?

In brief, you can create artwork using one of the following methods:

Use our free online Artwork Creator tool - This is a quick method of creating simple artwork with no computer skills and no need to install software. Just click the link and start creating. You can upload your logo, add clip art, add text, and position everything in a drag-and-drop environment.
Use a professional graphic designer - This will achieve the most professional result.
Use Microsoft Paint, or your computers built in design software - If you are not fond of our online Artwork Creator then use your computers built in graphic design software. It will be initially more difficult to use, but has some more capabilities.
Buy Adobe Photoshop or other professional design software - If you want to have a go yourself at using professional design software then we recommend Adobe Photoshop. Download yourself a free trial of Adobe Photoshop.

Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions together with artwork guidelines in PDF, and templates in Photoshop and Corel formats.

Design your artwork online using our Artwork Creator tool

Some general information about our process:

Artwork is Digitally printed on Xerox® Ducucolor technology (2400x2400 resolution) using industry leading Xerox® stock and finished using professional guillotines.
On body direct to disc printing is at a 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution using the latest industry leading R-Quest® hardware.
Each CD/DVD is professionally coated with a layer of transparent protective lacquer, after the on body print process, to protect and enhance the direct on body printing.

All artwork needs to be in high res rasterized PDF format with no guidelines or template marks. If you cannot provide a high res rasterized PDF save as a jpg in the highest resolution you can.

N.B. Your artwork must be flattened/rasterized. If you provide artwork in layers some content may be lost.

Please also provide the artwork in its original electronic format.

CDs and DVDs should have solid artwork in the middle, in other words, please do not have the hole showing on your artwork. Artwork can either be emailed to us directly artwork@duplicationcentre.co.uk. Alternatively you can drop files at our ftp site ftp.duplicationcentre.co.uk.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 20MB limit per email. If you art exeeds this, please use the FTP site.

Please see https://www.duplicationcentre.co.uk/ftp.html for instructions.

Artwork must be created at a minimum of 300 dpi (not converted to 300 dpi from a lesser resolution)
Artwork text must be at least 3mm from any edge (see here for more details)
Artwork text must be no less than 7 point size
Please remove guide lines from final artwork otherwise they may be visible in the final prints
CD On body & Paper Inlay dimensions must be to our own specifications.
All artwork submitted without an attached color profile will be treated as unmanaged color settings (This may effect color accuracy)

Colour Matching

We do not color match for cd/dvd inlays and on body print for in house jobs, All jobs can expect a variance of up to ±5% in color between artwork parts. Color proofs are available on request.