UNIFIED MANUFACTURING - FAQ's

Unified Manufacturing, founded by James Hill, is a CD DVD replication company that has, over the decade, become a one-stop shop for artists and entrepreneurs for media manufacturing and promotional products. We are known not only for our excellent service and state-of-the-art facilities but also for our creative marketing solutions.

We can help you with the following: CD manufacturing, DVD manufacturing, short-run CD duplication, custom DVD menus, USB replication, custom cd/dvd packaging, t-shirt printing, poster printing, and a lot more.

First-we are now offering factory-direct prices with the same prices that the major labels receive. As we are built for the music industry and have been working with some of the largest Independent record labels for the last five years, we have had to compete with the likes of Sony and Warner Bros in terms of price and quality.

Second- we care for the environment. We are one of the few manufactures to make everything with 100% wind energy. We also use soy based inks and we have a range of products that are gentle to Mother Nature.

Third- we have experience in shipping to every distributor in the country including Caroline distribution, Fontana distribution, Sony Red.

Unified Manufacturing currently handles products for some 145 independent record labels in the United States, and produced over 600,000 units for the music industry in 2009. Unified has clients in a variety of industries, including music, film, education, sports and the publishing. Some of our more popular clients include NIN, Tenacious D, Fear Factory, the Obama Campaign, and Maroon 5. Perhaps you can join us in 2010.

Our main office is located in Los Angeles, CA but we have offices in New York, California, Fishers, IN, Utah, Las Vegas. Click here to see our locations

It depends on the numbers.

REPLICATION is a process that physically presses data onto the surface of the disc. Most major commercial releases require CD/ DVD replication. It is more cost- effective on orders of over 500 discs.

DUPLICATION encodes your data onto the disc by burning microscopic holes into the dye layer of a recordable CD/ DVD. Duplication is more cost effective on orders of fewer than 300 discs and can be significantly faster than replication on shorter runs.

We can press CDs as few as one but the fewer your order, the more expensive it will be. For you to get a good price, we require a minimum of 50 CDs.

It usually takes 5-7 days for duplication and 14- 21 days for replication, excluding shipping. Day One starts the moment we receive all necessary requirements (payment, masters, order form, and documents). Shipping takes 1-7 days, depending on the location and order.

Order form. Click here.

Payment. We require full payment. We accept all major credit cards (including Amex), debit cards, and checks.

Music files. We need your music files in a CD or other physical format. See specifications below.

Artwork files. This is for the jacket or packaging of your record. See specifications below.

Mechanical License. You have to own the copyrights of the music and we need a Mechanical license to press your records. Otherwise, we could get sued. We strictly require this document before we press a single record.

CD Digipak

The CD Digipak is everything you can ask for in a CD case. It can make your graphics look more stunning because, unlike the jewel case, the artwork is printed directly to the cardboard packaging. It is also eco-friendly since it uses recycled cardboard. The only thing that's plastic is the CD tray which is made of very sturdy plastic to ensure protection of the disc.

CD Wallet

CD wallets can make your graphics look swell. They also give you more space for text.And, above all, they're earth-friendly! Our 4-Panel CD Wallet is made from 100% post-consumer,recycled chipboard and is printed with soy-based ink. Graphics are printed in full color in every panel and may be coated in high gloss or matte.

CD Cardboard Jacket

They're just like a 12" record jacket, but sized for CDs and DVDs. Made from 100% post-consumer,recycled chipboard and is printed with soy-based ink. Graphics are printed in full color in every panel and may be coated in high gloss or matte.

CD Jewel Cases

The jewel case is the number one choice of musicians not only because it is very economical but also because it has a professional look. The jewel case is the industry's standard for a reason! The case is made of crystal clear cover and a customizable tray.

Click this link to go to our templates page.

Yes. Aside from the standard CD/DVD/Vinyl packaging, we also make custom packaging. In fact, we are known for it. We have a whole blog site dedicated to how much we love custom packaging. Click here to see our blog.

FILE TYPES/ FORMATS

We want to make sure that you get exactly what you expect. Colors, sharpness, and design should be how you want them to be. For this to be achieved, we highly recommend you send your artwork using the following formats only:

Vector Art (.ai, vector-based .pdf or .eps files)

Vector is the most recommended format because they can be scaled and edited easily without losing print quality. Request your designer to use Vector Art to ensure great quality and hassle-free printing experience. Fonts must be outlined or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

Raster Art (.psd, jpeg, .tiff, .png)

If you can’t provide us with Vector Art files, then you may provide us raster art files. However, you have to be sure that the dimensions and resolution of your artwork is fit for printing. This means, the minimum size of your artwork is the size of the actual print and the resolution must be 300 DPI. Anything lower can greatly affect print quality. Fonts must be rasterized or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

FONTS & TYPE

It is possible that we do not have the font you’re using. For this reason, it’s very important to make sure the type elements have been Outlined (if Vector Art) or Rasterised (if Raster Art), for us to be able to make adjustments and print the exact font you use in your artwork. Otherwise, you might risk having a different font. For files that are saved out as standard image file types such as .jpg, .tiff and .png, you don’t need to rasterize/outline fonts anymore as they are flattened and uneditable.

Full color on disc

- Full color coverage on your discs (on a white background) but with the same low price as black text on-disc printing. We recommend this option.

Black text on disc

- We will print Black text on a white disc. This does not include black logos or black graphics. Its Black text on a white background (for duplication).

The short answer is “because the retailers who will be selling your CD for you require it. It’s the way a retail sale is identified, inventory levels are tracked, and sales are credited. Even if you sell primarily at shows or out of your trunk, you should have a UPC barcode on your album. It conveys professionalism. Additionally, if you want to participate in the Billboard Charts, your sales must be tracked in the SoundScan system. SoundScan requires you to have a UPC number to record your album’s performance.

Yes. You can buy it when you fill out your order form.

Prepress Review DOES NOT INCLUDE A PHYSICAL PROOF

Items we will check:

1.Size - If the size of your artwork matches our printing specs.

2. Bleed - The artwork fills to the edges so there are no white borders.

3. Safe Area - Essential elements such as text and graphics are not in danger of being cut off.

4. Resolution – Are the images of high quality? Was there any upscaling or change in resolution which will result in a low resolution, pixelated or blurry image?

5. Color mode - Will there be any major color-shifting during printing?

6. Template layers - Are the templates removed from the uploaded artwork and will they be printed on the final product?

7. UPC Barcode – If you order one, we will place it on your artwork. We will make sure it is located on a scannable surface (white background).

Items we do NOT check:

1. Spelling, grammar, or typographical errors.

2. Audio Content - We do NOT listen to your audio so we will not check for pops, glitches, spacing, low quality files, etc.

3. Data Content - Please make sure your data functions as intended on the desired platforms (Windows, OSX).

4. DVD Content - We do not view for audio or video quality, menu functionality, format (NTSC or PAL), regions or encoding settings.

IMPORTANT: Issues discovered during a Prepress Review may add delays to your production time if they cannot be immediately resolved. By not selecting Pre-press Review, we will not be held accountable for issues with your artwork, including layout issues, darkness, incorrect lay caused by your or your designer, spelling. We highly advise you select this option on new orders.

Not necessary for reorders

We accept a DDP master, a burnt CDR, WAV, and files. If you prefer to mail in your masters, you can deliver them to our office: 2812 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

If you prefer to UPLOAD your files, follow the steps we will give you in our order form.

We put all inquiries regarding these matters in a separate section. Please click “Payment and Shipping” tab below. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, send us an email or talk to our chat support in our website.

It depends on the numbers.

REPLICATION is a process that physically presses data onto the surface of the disc. Most major commercial releases require CD/ DVD replication. It is more cost- effective on orders of over 500 discs.

DUPLICATION encodes your data onto the disc by burning microscopic holes into the dye layer of a recordable CD/ DVD. Duplication is more cost effective on orders of fewer than 300 discs and can be significantly faster than replication on shorter runs.

We can press DVDs as few as one but the fewer your order, the more expensive it will be. For you to get a good price, we require a minimum of 50 DVDs.

It usually takes 5-7 days for duplication and 14- 21 days for replication, excluding shipping. Day One starts the moment we receive all necessary requirements (payment, masters, order form, and documents). Shipping takes 1-7 days, depending on the location and order.

Order form. Click here.

Payment. We require full payment. We accept all major credit cards (including Amex), debit cards, and checks.

Video files. We need your content.

Artwork files. This is for the jacket or packaging of your record. See specifications below.

Mechanical License. You have to own the copyrights of the video and we need a Mechanical license to press your DVDs. Otherwise, we could get sued. We strictly require this document before we press a single DVD.

AMARAY

The Amaray DVD case is the most common type of DVD case and the movie industry’s standard. 100% made in the US, it’s guaranteed sturdy and good-looking. We offer many customisation options that can add oomph to your packaging. This package includes DVD, DVD duplication/replication, DVD Amaray case, full color printing of artwork, and shrink wrap. We deliver 9-12 days after approval of files.

DVD Digipak

The DVD digipak is our best-looking DVD case! It can make your graphics look stunning as it will be printed directly to the panels of your cardboard packaging.It is also eco-friendly. The only thing that’s plastic is the DVD tray which is made of very sturdy plastic to ensure protection of the discs. You have the option to choose between matte of glossy finish. You also have the option to choose the type of DVD tray you want (clear,black,colored). This package includes DVD duplication/replication, full-color printing on all panels, matte or glossy finish, and shrink wrap. We deliver 9-12 days after approval of files.

For a totally plastic-free DVD package, choose our DVD Cardboard Jacket. It’s like a sleeve of an LP record but can have flaps for added protection. Perfect for mailers, promo DVDs, event DVDs, and more. This package includes DVD duplication/replication, full-color printing on all panels, matte or glossy finish, and shrink wrap. We deliver 9-12 days after approval of files.

DVD Wallet

DVD wallets can make your graphics look swell. They also give you more space for text.And, above all, they're earth-friendly! Our 4-Panel CD Wallet is made from 100% post-consumer,recycled chipboard and is printed with soy-based ink. Graphics are printed in full color in every panel and may be coated in high gloss or matte.

DVD Cardboard Jacket

They're just like a 12" record jacket, but sized for CDs and DVDs. Made from 100% post-consumer,recycled chipboard and is printed with soy-based ink.Graphics are printed in full color in every panel and may be coated in high gloss or matte.

If you want to design and create your own unique packaging from the ground up, send an email to: [email protected].

FILE TYPES/ FORMATS

We want to make sure that you get exactly what you expect. Colors, sharpness, and design should be how you want them to be. For this to be achieved, we highly recommend you send your artwork using the following formats only:

Vector Art (.ai, vector-based .pdf or .eps files)

Vector is the most recommended format because they can be scaled and edited easily without losing print quality. Request your designer to use Vector Art to ensure great quality and hassle-free printing experience. Fonts must be outlined or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

Raster Art (.psd, jpeg, .tiff, .png)

If you can’t provide us with Vector Art files, then you may provide us raster art files. However, you have to be sure that the dimensions and resolution of your artwork is fit for printing. This means, the minimum size of your artwork is the size of the actual print and the resolution must be 300 DPI. Anything lower can greatly affect print quality. Fonts must be rasterized or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

FONTS & TYPE

It is possible that we do not have the font you’re using. For this reason, it’s very important to make sure the type elements have been Outlined (if Vector Art) or Rasterised (if Raster Art), for us to be able to make adjustments and print the exact font you use in your artwork. Otherwise, you might risk having a different font. For files that are saved out as standard image file types such as .jpg, .tiff and .png, you don’t need to rasterize/outline fonts anymore as they are flattened and uneditable.

Full color on disc

- Full color coverage on your discs (on a white background) but with the same low price as black text on-disc printing. We recommend this option.

Black text on disc

- We will print Black text on a white disc. This does not include black logos or black graphics. Its Black text on a white back ground (for duplication).

The short answer is because the retailers who will be selling your DVD for you require it. It’s the way a retail sale is identified, inventory levels are tracked, and sales are credited. Even if you sell primarily at shows or out of your trunk, you should have a UPC barcode on your DVD.

Yes. You can buy it when you fill out your order form

Prepress Review DOES NOT INCLUDE A PHYSICAL PROOF

Items we will check:

1. Size - If the size of your artwork matches our printing specs.

2. Bleed - The artwork fills to the edges so there are no white borders.

3. Safe Area - Essential elements such as text and graphics are not in danger of being cut off.

4. Resolution – Are the images of high quality? Was there any upscaling or change in resolution which will result in a low resolution, pixelated or blurry image?

5. Color mode - Will there be any major color-shifting during printing?

6. Template layers - Are the templates removed from the uploaded artwork and will they be printed on the final product?

7. UPC Barcode – If you order one, we will place it on your artwork. We will make sure it is located on a scannable surface (white background).

Items we do NOT check:

1. Spelling, grammar, or typographical errors.

2. Audio Content - We do NOT listen to your audio so we will not check for pops, glitches, spacing, low quality files, etc.

3. Data Content - Please make sure your data functions as intended on the desired platforms (Windows, OSX).

4. DVD Content - We do not view for audio or video quality, menu functionality, format (NTSC or PAL), regions or encoding settings.

IMPORTANT: Issues discovered during a Prepress Review may add delays to your production time if they cannot be immediately resolved. By not selecting Pre-press Review, we will not be held accountable for delays, issues with your artwork, including layout issues, darkness, incorrect lay caused by your or your designer, spelling. We highly advise you select this option on new orders

No need on reorders.

If you prefer to mail in your masters, you can deliver them to our office: 2812 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

If you prefer to UPLOAD your files, follow the steps we will give you in our order form.

If you prefer to mail in your masters, you can deliver them to our office: 2812 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

If you prefer to UPLOAD your files, follow the steps we will give you in our order form.

100 records per order. If you are doing multiple colors/designs, each color needs to be at least 100 records. Ordering fewer than this is still possible but would be very costly.

Vinyl pressing can run anywhere between 8- 15 weeks.

No matter where you look anywhere around the world, you can't find a vinyl manufacturer that can give precise turnaround times or accommodate rush orders. That is because vinyl pressing is a delicate and time-consuming process. Production times is highly dependent on the demand. If we have plenty of orders lined up, which is usually the case, turnaround time is estimated at minimum 8 weeks.

Approximately 3 weeks after you settled your payment and submitted your masters, you will receive your test pressings. Check and approve your test pressings and all other components of your vinyl record like jackets, inserts, etc, you ship it back to us. Once we receive it, it usually takes 3-4 weeks for us to press your records. Please bear in mind that we do not rush orders. We pay extra attention and care to every vinyl order we receive. This means, we take the time each project needs to ensure we give you excellent quality, nothing less.

We have an option for rush orders (6 weeks). The fastest rush we have involves not getting test pressings. Either you’ve ordered with us before or you are confident your masters would produce perfect sound in vinyl. You must contact us directly (email or phone) if this is the option you wish and we can see how fast we can go.

12” 10” 7”

COLOR OPTIONS:
All 7” and 12” records are available in standard black or colored vinyl.

7” record is approximately 40 gram.
12” record is approximately 140 and 180 gram.
180 gram is available for 12” formats in black vinyl only.

NOTE:
The final weight is highly dependent on your master content and vinyl color.

Opaque vinyl: black, blue, red, violet, & yellow

Transparent vinyl: red, blue, orange/gold, green, crystal clear, and coke clear.

Mixed vinyl: random colors

If you choose mixed vinyl, each record will be unique and could come in different color combinations and patterns.

Labels are produced from special matte material and going through a particular process of preparation. After printing labels, they are baked to remove all humidity. They are are pressed unto your records at the same time your record is pressed.

You will get 4 test pressings approximately 5 weeks after approval of your art and proofs. Please take note that the quality of your audio files should be checked during mastering to ensure that they're error-free and of excellent quality. If, for whatever reason, you're dissatisfied with the quality of the test pressings because of the files you provided, we can do another test pressing but with a charge of $800 for mastering, plating, and a new set of test pressings.

Order form. Click here.

Payment. We require full payment. We accept all major credit cards (including Amex), debit cards, and checks.

Music files. We need your music files in a CD or other physical format. See specifications below.

Artwork files. This is for the jacket or packaging of your record. See specifications below.

Mechanical License. You have to own the copyrights of the music and we need a Mechanical license to press your records. Otherwise, we could get sued. We strictly require this document before we press a single record.

FILES WE NEED:

1.) MUSIC FILES

We accept a DDP master, a burnt CDR, .WAV files. If you prefer to mail in your masters, you can deliver them to our office: 5029 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90016.

If you want us to cut your lacquer, we need it in a physical format like a standard audio CD or analog tape. There’s an additional mastering fee when using data files or analog tape so we recommend you send us in standard audio CD.

If you prefer to send us higher bit rate files in a data format (burned to a CD), we will cut your lacquer using those files. If you prefer to UPLOAD your files, follow the steps we will give you in our FTP.

2.) ARTWORK/ PACKAGING FILES

We want to make sure that you get exactly what you expect. Colors, sharpness, and design should be how you want them to be. For this to be achieved, we highly recommend you send your artwork using the following formats only:

       Vector Art (.ai, vector-based .pdf or .eps files)

Vector is the most recommended format because they can be scaled and edited easily without losing print quality. Request your designer to use Vector Art to ensure great quality and hassle-free printing experience. Fonts must be outlined or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

      Raster Art (.psd, jpeg, .tiff, .png)

If you can’t provide us with Vector Art files, then you may provide us raster art files. However, you have to be sure that the dimensions and resolution of your artwork is fit for printing. This means, the minimum size of your artwork is the size of the actual print and the resolution must be 300 DPI. Anything lower can greatly affect print quality. Fonts must be rasterized or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

NOTE:

FONTS & TYPE

It is possible that we do not have the font you’re using. For this reason, it’s very important to make sure the type elements have been Outlined (if Vector Art) or Rasterised (if Raster Art), for us to be able to make adjustments and print the exact font you use in your artwork. Otherwise, you might risk having a different font. For files that are saved out as standard image file types such as .jpg, .tiff and .png, you don’t need to rasterize/outline fonts anymore as they are flattened and uneditable.

Record Number

Also known as catalog number, this is the letter/number combination used by labels/bands to identify releases (ex. UGH666). This is assigned to every release by the record company to identify that particular release. This is true for vinyl (33, 45 and 78 rpm) records, compact discs, cassettes, 8-track tapes and DVDs. The number is used to track sales through distributors and for the label's in-house accounting purposes. This little number might not mean much to your average record buyer—in fact, most people never even notice it. But to music sellers, disc jockeys, record collectors and music junkies, a catalog number is very important. This can identify whether or not a record is rare, imported, out-of-print or of a certain historic value.If you have NO clue then just call it the first name of your artists name followed by how many VINYl releases you have done with us. EXAMPLE. My name is James and this is my first vinyl project so the catalog number will be JAMES001.

Matrix Number

The matrix number is the number etched into the record in the space between the grooves and the label. In most cases, this will be the same as the record number.

Here’s a list of our services:

MERCH PRINTING

We print, embroider, and etch any item you can think of!

If you’re looking for high-quality promotional items, you’re at the right place! We print, embroider, and etch almost any item you can think of- tumblers, towels, bags, caps, USB bracelets, jackets, wristbands, pens, keychains, mugs, coasters, notebooks, folders. You name it, we can customize it. We have a huge selection of customizable items but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can manufacture it for you. Let your promotional items rock their socks off with Unified’s help.

USB REPLICATION

Releasing your content on a flash drive will ensure capability for numerous devices, and because of their solid build with non-moving parts, flash drives are dependable for almost a lifetime of usage.

We have hundreds of pre-made USB Flash Drives and if you can’t find what you want, we can customize one for you so you get exactly what you want. After all, we are a manufacturing company. Great for wedding photography and videos, portfolios and more.

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Unified Print Management is here to make printing, binding, mailing, fulfillment, warehousing and distribution stress-free and affordable for the folks who’d rather be doing something else. For printing, we use state-of-the-art printing facilities and top-quality inks and recycled paper to give you professional-looking print you can be proud of. But printing is not all we do; we manage your printed materials by storing them in our fulfillment houses and sending each one of them to specific clients based on your required schedule and specifications. Simply give us your files and list of names and addresses to send them to. Isn’t that such a time and space saver? You won’t need to clear an area in your office to place your printed materials, you won’t have to label, pack, and send each one to the courier. We will take care of them for you.

Let Unified help you print and deliver your documents, books, and promotional items anywhere around the world.

WAREHOUSE & FULFILLMENT

Pick-Pack-Delivery you can truly rely on! Packing, storing, and shipping your products can be a really tedious and time-consuming task. After all the hard work you’ve done in manufacturing your products, it’s time you take a break or focus on more important things like marketing. Allow us to do the tedious tasks so you can do more without exerting much effort. Unified has huge warehousing facilities in the US and UK and over hundreds of partners all over the world where you can store your bulk products. The facility also houses extensive pick, pack and ship operations as well as fulfillment services like kitting, light assembly, quality inspection, order processing and other value-added services.

OUTSOURCING

Navigate the outsourcing maze with Unified!Outsourcing goods from China and other parts of the world is not as easy as it seems. If you do it all by yourself, it will NOT be as simple as sending an e-mail and waiting for the goods to arrive at your doorstep. It involves a lot of steps that require a good amount of research and know-how that most entrepreneurs are not equipped with.

Unified is here to help you navigate the outsourcing maze to get the items you love at prices that will make you and your customers feel giddy.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Let’s come up with a design that fits your brand’s personality to a T.

If you want to come up with an awesome new product or promotional item, let’s brainstorm. Unified Manufacturing is here to help you come up with a design that fits your brand’s personality to a T. With our thousands of suppliers and network worldwide, we can do the research work, mock-up and actual manufacturing of your products so you won’t have to navigate your way through the tedious and time-consuming process of creating a product from scratch.

PACKAGING DESIGN

A special product deserves a special case. Let’s make your packaging from the ground up.

If you want to stand out, you have to be different. It’s that simple. The best way to show the uniqueness of your product is by putting it in a unique package. We make special boxes to cater to your product’s specific needs. Do you want it in a tin can or in a slime pack or in a huge box with lots of goodies inside? OH YES, we can make these things for you. Just tell us your idea (no matter how crazy it might seem) and we’ll build your custom printing CD packaging from the ground up. Trust is, there’s no idea that’s not doable. We’re here to “make it work” for you.

The founder of Unified Manufacturing is an A& R guy and there are some instances that we handle marketing. You may send him an email directly: [email protected]

You may chat with our reps in our website or email [email protected]

To get a good price, we recommend at least 50 shirts per design.

Typical turnaround time is 7-15 business days plus shipping time. Production days are Mon- Fri and does not include holidays. Remember that this is only an estimate. Day 1 will start when payment is processed and we have all the necessary files for printing. Also take note that making artwork revisions will reset your turnaround time.

We don’t do image editing or color corrections on your artwork. We have templates available in our website and you can pass this to your designer. We are a disc manufacturing company and we don’t specialize in graphic design or image editing.

We strongly recommend working with either Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or Adobe Photoshop (.psd), as they are widely supported and they make editing faster and easier.

The quality of the artwork you’ll provide us will determine the quality of the printing on your t-shirts. That is why we are very meticulous with the files you send us for screen printing. If you want awesome prints, follow these requirements to a T.

FILE SIZE

The size of your artwork should be at the exact size you want it printed on your shirt. If you need assistance, you may send us a mockup of your design and we will help you come up with an approximate size for the artwork.

FILE TYPES/ FORMATS

Here are the file formats we accept:

Vector Art (.ai, vector-based .pdf or .eps files)

Vector is the most recommended format because they can be scaled and edited easily without losing print quality. Request your designer to use Vector Art to ensure great quality and hassle-free printing experience. Fonts must be outlined or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

Raster Art (.psd, jpeg, .tiff, .png)

If you can’t provide us with Vector Art files, then you may provide us raster art files. However, you have to be sure that the dimensions and resolution of your artwork is fit for printing. This means, the minimum size of your artwork is the size of the actual print and the resolution must be 300 DPI. Anything lower can greatly affect print quality. Fonts must be rasterized or else it will be replaced by a standard font if the font is not available in our system.

If you want us to do

FONTS & TYPE

It is possible that we do not have the font you’re using. For this reason, it’s very important to make sure the type elements have been Outlined (if Vector Art) or Rasterised (if Raster Art), for us to be able to make adjustments and print the exact font you use in your artwork. Otherwise, you might risk having a different font. For files that are saved out as standard image file types such as .jpg, .tiff and .png, you don’t need to rasterize/outline fonts anymore as they are flattened and uneditable.

Supply the artwork at the correct size to prevent added work and revisions that could extend your order turnaround.

Here is the most important thing to remember: The maximum print size depends highly on the size of your smallest garment. If you have a big print for adults tees, you may have to have another screen print of the same design for the children’s tees.

To ensure accuracy in colors, we require that you specify colors as pantones. When you look at a color on your computer screen, it looks entirely different than a color printed on a piece of paper using ink. This is because the RGB color spectrum and HTML hexadecimal model are used only on screens. They work by adding light to a dark screen. CMYK and Pantone work by subtracting the light reflected off a white piece of paper. Since you’re printing your design on paper (or cloth or whichever material you choose), it’s important to design using CMYK or a Pantone color right from the start.

What you see as a Pantone swatch on a monitor is likely to be different to the real thing when printed. Make sure to only choose Pantones from a physical book (paper instead of monitor), in order to get an accurate match.

Like the term ‘underbase’, halftone is another which crops up lot in screen printing. We will often suggest halftones as a way to reduce the number of print colours you need, or to explain how full-colour photographs can be achieved with just a handful of colours. It’s a good idea to understand how it works, so it can be considered at the design stage and used as a tool to get more from your printing.

PACKAGING ARTWORK IS DARKER

Actual packaging artwork prints will be 10% darker compared to digital proofs. With this in mind, please make necessary adjustments to your artwork to ensure you get the exact design that you want.

This is what we usually see in pop art prints. A halftone is a technique that breaks up the tonal detail in an image into dots. These will vary in size and spacing, but generally be small enough that they give the impression of transitioning between different shades of the dots colour. For example, a black halftone could be used to simulate a gradient going from black to white, without needing to use any grey tones. Another example, you’ve probably seen frequently on paper, is CMYK. Full colour photographs, recreated with just four colours – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Those colours are overlapped with each and halftoned to simulate an almost infinite number of colours, and generally use a very small dot size.

Any tones in your design that doesn’t have their own ink and screen, will be a halftone. Whether your eye will perceive these dots will depend on their size, and the distance you are viewing them from. Depending on the artwork, sometimes a big, easily visible halftone can be a desirable effect / texture.

Vector art is a must for printing spot colors. If we do the vectoring, there should be an art fee. If client sends a photographic image, we might have to do a simulated process on the artwork and will take 2 to 3 business days to finish. Additional fee for this service.

Yes. Aside from the standard CD/DVD/Vinyl packaging, we also make custom packaging. In fact, we are known for it. We have a whole blog site dedicated to how much we love custom packaging. Click here to see our blog.

Our templates are available in the following software: Adobe Illustrator (versions 8 – CS4), Adobe InDesign (versions 2 – CS4), Macromedia/Adobe FreeHand (versions 7-11/MX), CorelDRAW (versions 8 – X4), QuarkXPress (versions 3.3 – 8).

Cardboard jackets, Digipacks, Wallets, Jewel Cases (2-panel floder to 24-page booklet), Amaray Cases.

Yes, we do! In our many years of service, we have developed a network of graphic designers who are not only excellent with their craft but are also very familiar with our artwork guidelines and policy. Choosing our graphic designers cuts your artwork worries in half. Prices vary depending on the difficulty of the project.

If you need a bar code. You can order it from the website ( $19.00) or you can tell anyone at unified and they will get one for you. On average it takes 12 hours to order a bar code.

You can either layout the barcode yourself or have us do it for you. We recommended the dimensions 2.75 x 2.75 but actually, it is totally up to you. There is no fixed size. As long as it’s big enough to scan, you’re good.

Be sure to indicate in your quote/order form that you need a barcode. Please DO NOT APPROVE any proofs that do not have your barcode on it.

Click on this link to go to the template page then download the templates and forms you will need to get you started.

Yes, we do. If you are planning to supply us with finished design files, read our Artwork Commandments:

1. Thou shalt use our templates and our templates only. Never attempt to use the templates of other duplication companies because every duplication company has different sets of templates. Make sure you select the correct Unified template for your project to avoid issues and additional fees.
2. Thou shalt only submit images with 300 dpi. So your images look good but that’s because your monitor is usually around 72 dpi. We need a higher resolution in order to print nicely. We require 300dots per inch (DPI) for all images.
3. Thou shalt use CMYK. A computer monitor displays color using RGB mode whereas physical print is either CMYK or pantone color. All RGB, Lab and ICC-based colors must be converted to CMYK for accuracy.
4. Thou shalt put bleed and safety margins. Our plant trims sheets in stacks. Bleed and safety margins will give our printers a margin of error when trimming the sheets. For bleed, make sure to add 1/8 inch extensions on all sides of the template. For safety margins, make sure NO essential element is placed 1/8? inside the crop marks.
5. Thou shalt design CD label using pantone colors. Printing on paper is very different from printing on discs. For discs, it is advisable to do silkscreen printing using Pantone Solid Coated inks.
6. Thou shalt not steal artwork. For replication orders, we require you to fill out our Intellectual Property Rights form. If some or all of the material is not owned by you, you need to supply us with a proof of licensing or permission.
7. Thou shalt use vector- based programs for text. Use vector-based software for your text or logo so there’s no chance it would pixelate. Vector files are also much more versatile to work with. Photoshop is a raster-based program which makes the edges of some text less defined.
8. Thou shall avoid gradients for on-disc design. On-disc printing is printed using silkscreen so we can’t have that ombre/gradient effect.
9. Thou shalt submit all the elements used. We need all of the elements used in your design, not just the layout files. Every image linked into your page layout must be sent to us. If you are linking an EPS file from Illustrator, into your page layout, make sure to collect all the images and fonts from the EPS file.
10. Thou shalt save your files the Unified way. Create one main folder that contains 3 separate folders. Inside the main folder, name the 3 folders: Page Layout, Links, and Fonts. Place all the files in their corresponding folders. Please name the main folder this way: “Artwork”-Project name-date, Ex: Artwork-CarlosMencia-030512.
11. Thou shalt submit files that match your original quote. If not, your project will be put on hold until we have the proper talk and agreement of your updated order.

We ship to all distributors in the US and Europe. Just make sure you provide us the following information: Release date, PO Number, Selection number, and your contact at your distributor.

You can pay using a credit card, a cheque, Google wallet.

To establish credit with unified manufacturing. You will have to complete credit application. Once we receive the credit app it will take about 4-5 business days to get you credit established.

If the order amount is over 10,000 dollars or more please contact accounting and they with the correct cheques can set up payment terms for you.

Yes we do. We ship all over the world. Just not to Russia at present moment.

We charge 100% upfront before we start a project.

When we make your CDs, there are some expected errors in production from the actual manufacturing to printing. It is customary for the client to be responsible for an 8-10% over or under run.

It is our # 1 guarantee that your project will have no manufacturing defects! We will not ever give our clients damaged discs because we have a name to protect. We are proud to say that in our ten years of service, we only received very few complaints from our customers. If you notice any flaw that’s manufacturing-related (printing or burning), we will replace the damaged discs as soon as we have proof that your claims are legitimate.

1. Our guarantee does not cover issues with the content If you do not like the spacing or glitches in your master, that is not our fault. If you have problems with the type and images you sent us, we certainly have nothing to do with that. We are here to produce copies of the materials you sent us and it is your sole responsibility to check if everything is complete and correct. I suggest you ask for a sample before giving us a go signal to manufacture thousands.
2. Our guarantee does not cover compatibility issues with players. The discs that we use are the most compatible but there is a chance that it will not play on particular players. This is an issue with compatibility and not manufacturing.
3. Our guarantee does not cover issues with shipping. We have a team that checks all the quality of each CD/DVD before we send them to our courier. If there are some cracks or damages, this is probably caused by shipping. We are not responsible for loss or damage to the product. If there is damage or loss, contact the shipping company.
4. For Blank Media: All blank media returns authorized by Unified Manufacturing are subject to a 15% restocking charge and must be received within 30 days of sale.
5. The complaints we consider are the ff:
   • Flaws in burning
   • Flaws in printing
   • Trimming of artwork is off (jarred edges, whites, slanted)
   • Broken discs
   • Broken cases
6. How to process your complaints:
   1. Contact Us. First Call 855-421-9767 or email [Email Protected] so we can discuss about the issues. If the representative asks you to send back the defective discs, he/she will give you an RMA code.
   2. Return Merchandise Authorization. No merchandise may be returned to our office without return authorization from us. Prior to returning any product, you must obtain an RMA (return merchandise authorization) number from Unified.
   3. Put all the defective/damaged discs in a well-padded case or a stiff box with the ff details:
      • Complaint/return code (given by the representative)
      • Project name (the one you used in our project management site)
      • Your name
      • Your Phone number
      • Notes about your complaint
      • Send it to the address provided by the representative.

Within US- 4-5 business days on average

Outside US- Shipping outside of the US- 14 Business days on average

We will give you a more accurate estimate once we’ve processed your order.

Go to our Instant Quote Form and select the options you want for your CD/DVD/ USB manufacturing order. Make sure you save the quote so you can receive a quote directly to your e-mail and get FREE SHIPPING.

Click the ORDER FORM
In this form, you need to fill in every field with information— type of order, type of packaging, add-ons, shipping option, payment, etc. This is also where you upload and manage your music files, video files, and artwork files. At the end of the order form, you will be asked to read the terms and provide your e-signature which makes this the official contract between you and Unified Manufacturing for your order.

If you are confused with a particular field, just click the “?” button found on each field. However, if you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are online 24/7 to help you.

The number of CDs you need to have manufactured is necessary so you can determine whether you should have CD Duplication or CD replication. Read the basic difference between replication and duplication. To have an estimate of how many CDs you should make, ask yourself the following questions BUT, there’s no need to worry as you can order as few as 100 pieces and order some more when needed but the difference in savings is quite big if you do it a hundred at a time compared to 500 or 1000.

Please before sending make sure this sheet is submitted and sent with the Submitted lacquer sheet You can find it here

Please take note that unified takes no responsibility for the way the lacquer arrives unified and takes no responsibility for the condition of the lacquer master. We will not be held reasonably nor are we under any obligation to return the lacquer master