Card CD
The credit card style CD was seen by
many as the marketing success of the 90's. We are able to supply credit card style
CDs in either audio or Rom format.
However, there
are a number of drawbacks with this type of disc (from any manufacturer), so
we recommend that you read the following information before selecting them for
you project!
If you want a really fresh
approach, which is 100% compatible with all CD drives, check out the part
silvered CDs!
How are they made?
Discs are created in one of two ways: moulding or stamping.
- Moulded discs offer the best
quality as they are created specifically for the job and have a profile
designed to fit in the CD player tray. These discs offer the highest
reliability and greatest long term stability. They are also likely to look
the best as the on-disc print is added after the disc has been finished.
This is the type we supply.
- Stamped discs start life as 12cm CDs
and are stamped out. Only some certain grades of polycarbonate can be used (many
shatter), and even then the edges are rough and
unsealed, which can lead to the disc splitting at the silvered layer joint and moisture getting.
These discs rely on 4 plastic 'feet' being pushing through the disc, a process
which disrupts the
top surface and distorts the on-body print, as well as the finish on the
playing side. Anecdotal evidence is that the 'feet' can snap off.
Drawbacks
Whilst many people view
Card CDs as a great marketing tool, we believe the disadvantages outweigh the advantages:
potential customers are likely to take a poor view of you if your presentation
wont run, or worse, damages their player!
- All Card CDs fail to meet
true specifications. The Phillips specification for CDs
only covers 12cm discs. Card CDs are regarded as out of specification, so at
least in theory Phillips could ask you to withdraw the discs as all manufacture
is under license from them.
- Card CDs may fail to play or jam the
player. The draws on many CDRom drives close so fast that the
disc 'jumps' out of position. If this happens, one of the following will
occur:
- The drive will eject the disc. You
will then have to re-position the disc and try again, or
- The drive will jam if the disc becomes dislodged
into the mechanism, or
- The drive will attempt to read the disc even
though it isn't in position which could cause damage to the mechanism and
/ or the disc.
- Card CDs make many drives shake.
Drive motors are designed
to rotate 12 cm CDs so the 'ballistics' are wrong for the mush lighter
credit card CDs. Many CDRom drives have difficulty maintaining
data flow, leading to inconsistent playback speeds, and presentations /
videos which freeze. Drives often make a noise a bit like a vacuum cleaner
due to shaking as they try to track. This can be very disconcerting for
users!
- Card CDs must not be used in
'slot' loading drives. Many newer PCs are coming
fitted with DVD drives which are just a slot in the front of the machine. If
any thing other than a 12 cm disc is inserted into these drives they will
become jammed. You can put a disclaimer on the CD or packaging, but most
users ignore these. The same applies to most car audio CD players.
- Cost. Card CDs are on average 3 - 10 times more
expensive than an equivalent 12 cm CD!
If you are still interested, then
please contact us for a specific quotation.
Our card CDs are rectangular, with a capacity of 35MB.
They are specially moulded (not 'chopped' from larger CDs!) with rounded corners
and silvering which stops approximately 2mm from the edges. A warning
about their use is moulded into the base of the card, and a special contoured base helps them stay in the tray. Print is silk screen and can be from 1 to 5 colours (white plus CMYK).
For more details or samples, please contact us: info@the-digital-audio.co.uk
Most cards packaged in clear
flexible plastic wallets, there are several other
packaging types available, including tins and metal cases
and CShells.
Our standard terms and conditions apply to Card
CD orders.
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Page last updated
Thursday 11th May 2006 at 15:00.