CD Manufacturing > Replication > Label Printing


Label Printing

The upper surface of a finished disc is printed with up to six colors by a flat silk screen process. Each color requires a different screen created from label films produced as color separations from the artwork. Each color is printed using a squeegee which pushes the ink through the mesh of the screen on to the disc surface. The inks are then cured using UV light to produce a durable surface.
For picture discs five colors are needed. These are white for the base, plus cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). Very high quality printing can be achieved using modern printing machines, which are capable of speeds of 70 discs per minute or faster. A sixth, spot color can be used where required.

Automatic checks are carried out during this stage to ensure that all discs being printed carry the correct catalogue number which is placed on the disc hub during mastering.



- posted by J @ 12:56 PM