Just Plain Folks
TOP 10 CD Manufacturing Dos and Don'ts
By Oasis CD Duplication Founder Micah Solomon

A Note from Brian: I wanted to let all of you know that last year when we were in great need of a primary sponsor to offset a portion of our expenses for the 2001 Music Awards (we spent about 25K out of our pocket to keep them FREE), Micah Solomon and Oasis CD Duplication stepped up to the plate and offered financial support that allowed us to cover the remaining costs that surfaced. They literally paid for the actual awards trophies that we handed out and they've been very friendly and supportive of us ever since then, even after the awards were over. We chose to work with them because not only have they been chosen as our members favorite for the last 3 years running in our demographics survey, but because they remind us a lot of ourselves in why we started this group and how we work to bring integrity into the things we each do. If you are considering doing a CD Project, I strongly suggest you check out Oasis CD Duplication and what they offer. Please show them our continued appreciation of their support for our Music Awards program and be sure to heed Micah's very good advice below!

TOP 10 CD Manufacturing Dos and Don'ts:
1.	When you plan your recording project, allow yourself plenty of time to do it right. Don't box yourself into making compromises in order to meet what often turn out to be unrealistic deadlines, and don't schedule your CD release party until you have your CDs in hand. You need the CDs in advance to properly market your release performances (to radio, print press, etc.), and you don't want to be one of the many, many artists who have amusing tales to tell of CD-free CD release parties (the artwork was due when?).
2.	If your CD will include songs written by others, pay your statutory mechanical licensing fees to the Harry Fox Agency (or to the songs' publishers or copyright holders directly). For many songs, you can even pay online at songfile.com.
3.	Don't even think of recording "samples" or other copyrighted material for which you don't have clearance. The owners of copyrighted material are entitled to compensation (and may have right of refusal), and they can (at minimum) require you to stop selling/distributing unlicensed material. (Think they won't catch you? Are you planning to promote this CD or store it in your basement?)
4.	For best results, use a professional graphic designer to create your artwork. If you use a friend or relative, PAY for the work or it may not get the priority attention you need.
5.	Use the graphics design templates provided by your duplication company (ours are available here). Artwork specifications for CD packages are technical and very precise; preparation errors will cost you time and money. Make sure your graphic artist has the appropriate templates AND a contact in your duplicator's office - someone who can answer technical graphics-related questions.
6.	Think about how you can make your CD release stand out visually - on the retail shelf and on your product table at performances. There are interesting choices available to you: alternative packaging options (such as the Oasis Jewel-Free Box and Soft-Spot Package) fit in standard CD holders but give you an exciting and different look.
7.	Always list your song titles, song times, and track numbers on your traycard (the back of your CD package) where a DJ can easily see them.
8.	There is a little known, but quality-related choice at the CD mastering step in the replication process. Depending on your market, you may want to consider single speed glass mastering to provide the highest ("audiophile") level of audio integrity in the replication of your recording. (More information is available here)
9.	Top-spine stickers are important to retailers (even if they do break your fingernails). A top-spine sticker is the strip of white tape printed with your name, bar code, release number, etc. that sticks on the top spine of the package. Top-spine stickers help customers find your release in a record store bin more easily, too.
10.	Don't be shy. Ask questions. You're hiring experts in technical fields, but this is your project, it's a big investment, and you're entitled. If your questions aren't answered, be a pest. If you need to be much of a pest, consider that your service provider or sales rep either doesn't know more than you or has priorities that aren't about you. Find out.