How is a CD made? |
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Step One - The Glass MasterFirst, a precise copy of the source material, called
a glass master is made. A glass disc is coated with
a thin layer of light-reactive material. A laser etches
pits representing 1s and 0s into this layer, to create
a master version of the CD. |
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Step Two - The StampersThe glass master is too fragile to be used directly
in the replication process. Instead, it acts as a mold
to create several more durable metal stampers, which
are then attached to injection molding machines. |
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Step Three - MoldingTransparent plastic, called polycarbonate, is injected
into a mold that has the stamper on one side and a smooth
surface on the other. The stamper side of the mold imprints
data pits into the plastic. |
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Step Four - Reflective MaterialThe polycarbonate material is transparent, so even
though the data pits have been imprinted, a layer of
reflective material must be applied behind them so that
a laser can read them. A thin layer of metal, usually
aluminum, is applied to the back side of the disc to
create the necessary reflective surface. |
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Step Five - LacqueringThe reflective layer is then protected with a coat
of acrylic lacquer, which is cured by ultraviolet light. |
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Step Six - LabelingA face label is silk-screened onto the cured lacquer
in inks cured by ultraviolet light to create the finished
product. For more details of our labeling and artwork
options please click here. |
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