wewow

Should I choose a matt or a gloss laminate to finish my CD/DVD packaging?

2010-11-05T12:17:00.001Z

Many clients choose to have a lamination applied to their card CD & DVD packaging, producing a matt or gloss effect and sealing the print in order to avoid ‘cracking.’ As the picture above demonstrates, the laminate produces a professional and attractive finish but the colour will vary between matt laminated and gloss laminated packages.

Why apply a laminate to CD or DVD packaging?

Matt or gloss lamination is the best way to prevent the print on your packaging from cracking along the fold lines. The added benefit is that a matt or gloss effect can be created, added to the overall look and feel of the CD or DVD packaging.

How eco-friendly is lamination?

Whilst a laminate adds a professional finish to CD or DVD packaging, unfortunately it means that the card based packaging will not be recyclable and the carbon emissions of the lamination process are also a factor to consider.

If you want your CD or DVD packaging to be recyclable and have a gloss finish then ask us about our specialist paper board stock – we have a number of glossy (eco-friendly ) paper stocks which can be used to produce your eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging.

Life Cycle Assessment of wewow’s WowWallet reveals potential for huge carbon savings.

2010-11-05T12:15:00.001Z

wewow launched the unique WowWallet concept in 2009, meeting customer demands for eco-friendly CD and DVD packaging. Since then, wewow have strived to constantly improve the sustainability of the WowWallet in order to provide their customers with the most environmentally CD/DVD packaging solution possible.

This year wewow commissioned a life-cycle-assessment of the CD and DVD WowWallet designs to ascertain the carbon emissions of the WowWallet and provide customers with a reliable comparison between the plastic CD Jewel Case and DVD Case and the WowWallet.

The findings of the LCA were astounding with a massive 244KG of carbon being saved for every 1,000 CD WowWallets that are used instead of the plastic jewel case. Likewise, it was demonstrated that the DVD case reduced carbon emissions by a whopping 240KG on a run of 1,000 DVDs, when used instead of the DVD case.

The potential impact upon the entertainment and music industries is astonishing; potentially 2803.7KG of CO2e could be saved if 10% of the 115 million CDs sold in the UK annually were packaged in the WowWallet. If the entertainment industry takes heed and packages just 10% of the DVDs sold in the UK annually, the potential carbon savings are as high as 4884KG CO2e.

Therefore it is clear that if the optical media industry is committed to reducing the environmental impact of physical CD and DVD release, there must be a shift away from plastic CD and DVD packaging. In its place card based packaging will provide the appropriate protection and presentation of CDs and DVDs whilst minimizing the impact of disc packaging upon the environment.

DIY Promo CD Packaging

2010-09-10T08:07:00.004Z

We love seeing bands and musicians transform wewow’s eco-friendly CD packaging into unique, handmade packaging for their promo and demo CDs.

The team at wewow HQ were recently WOWED by Sheffield-based band, Hello Dagger’s DIY creation! The talented screamo band, who are big supporters of the DIY scene, used 100% recycled, windowed WowWallets to create eye-catching, handmade packaging for their vinyl-look CD. Each package was a unique creation and we loved the personal touch that the band added to each of the eco-friendly CD packages!

Check out Hello Dagger on myspace: http://myspace.com/hellodagger

DIY Promo CD Packaging

2010-08-09T14:10:00.002Z

Packaging a promo CD can be a challenging task when you’re working to a tight budget. High-quality, original and affordable CD packaging for short-run promo CD’s is hard to come by. This has led to a growing trend towards ‘Do It Yourself’ CD packaging. The results are creative, resourceful and highly original.

However, the task of creating your promo CD packaging is no easy feat and buying packaging materials to make up yourself can actually end up costing a great deal more than you anticipated. Wewow have worked hard to come up with a solution to make it easy for bands and artists to create their own CD packaging and the result is an easy to use DIY package with endless scope for creativity. Best of all, wewow’s DIY package is eco-friendly!

DIY promo CD packaging can now be ordered online at http://www.weeco.co.uk/diy-cd-packaging

You will receive everything you need to package the high-quality printed & duplicated CD’s produced by wewow and the results are guaranteed to WOW your fans! We’d love to see your creations so please send us a quick snap of your finished package and we may even feature it on the wewow blog!

2010-07-29T08:31:00.003Z

Here are wewow we always aim to deliver the highest quality products and service, even when we’re working to tight deadlines. We recently had the opportunity to do just that for HMV and Waterstones, who commissioned wewow to produce eco-friendly DVD packaging and replicated DVDs for internal communications DVDs for both brands.

We successfully met the client’s deadline and delivered a unique, high-quality DVD WowWallet to both HMV and Waterstones. We we’re over the moon with the feedback we received, with Waterstones commenting;

“We gave WeWow a tough task, to produce 340 wallets in a short timescale for our internal strategy DVD. They did a fantastic job in that short space of time. The packaging is eco-friendly and stylish and there are various options to choose from. The team are friendly, helpful and accommodating. All our employees were very impressed with the finished product. We look forward to using them again in the near future.”

The finished package was an environmentally friendly DVD WowWallet, printed in full colour with eye-catching designs to suit the HMV brand and a unique package for the Waterstones brand. Inserted into the wallets we’re professionally printed and replicated DVDs.

What are ISRC codes and why should you use them?

2010-07-13T08:39:00.002Z

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code and is best understood as a digital ‘fingerprint’ which identifies your sound or music video recording. ISRC codes can be embedded into digital and physical releases and allow you to sell your music on iTunes and Amazon, submit your tracks to the Gracenote Database and they also help prevent piracy and ensure that you automatically receive royalties.

ISRC codes are unique numbers which are embedded into music files during the mastering process. Your finished master can then be sent for CD duplication or replication and the ISRC codes will be included on all your pressed CDs. The ISRC codes will identify your music and track copying and distribution.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recommends that all music producers use ISRC.

ISRC codes for sound recordings in the UK can be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) and registration is free. If you need any guidance on ISRC codes, Gracenote Registration or anything else related to producing your own music releases then wewow’s customer service team will be happy to help.

‘My burnt CD won’t always work’…how reliable is CD duplication?w

2010-07-08T09:31:00.002Z

This question was recently addressed on a CD replication blog. Their answer? CD duplication is unreliable and CD replication is the only means of producing professional CD copies. However, with years of expertise in CD replication and duplication and a commitment to providing professional and reliable CD production services we wanted to answer this question ourselves.

Certainly duplication and replication are two very different processes, as we have blogged about in the past. In short, duplication involves burning data to blanks CD-R’s or DVD-Rs whereas replication is a manufacturing process which produces CDs/DVDs comparable to those found in the shops.

Duplication relies on high-quality, professional production equipment in order to output reliable results. The CD-R’s used in the duplication process are also vitally important as cheap discs will inevitably produce cheap and unreliable results. Here at wewow, we only use ‘A’ Grade CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, which are duplicated by top of the range duplication towers. Our duplication equipment is highly-computerized, meaning that any ‘failed’ discs are rejected and never reach our customers. So it is extremely rare that our clients would receive a burnt CD which doesn’t work!

Of course, CD duplication has its limitations; it is more cost-effective on smaller quantities (below 500 units) and offers a quicker turnaround than replication, but the burnt data on the back of the disc can be seen and on larger quantities it is more expensive than CD replication. Therefore, we always advise clients of the best solution to suit their particular requirements.

wewow launch creative, eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging solution – WowSpiral

2010-06-25T10:47:00.002Z

wewow are pleased to announce the addition of WowSpiral to the WOW! range of eco-friendly CD and DVD packaging.

WowSpiral is a dynamic new package which combines thoughtful cardboard engineering with eco-awareness and creativity. The WowSpiral CD/DVD package is produced from a single piece of sustainable board, printed with eco-friendly vegetable inks, which folds intricately to create a unique spiral clasp. The disc inside is held securely in place and the package is secured by the spiral clasp, without the need for glue or plastic! This unique CD/DVD packaging solution is even available for short-run projects of 100 units upwards, making it ideal for limited edition releases or one off promotions!

The WowSpiral is already receiving rave reviews throughout the industry for its creativity and sustainability. Contact wewow today to discuss your potential requirements.

What is the difference between PAL and NTSC?

2010-06-03T14:27:00.002Z

What are we talking about?

When mastering a DVD and ordering DVD replication it is important to recognize which area of the world your DVDs will be played in so that your master is produced in the correct format.

PAL – Phase Alternating Line

‘PAL’ refers to the television broadcasting standard which is used by most of Europe, amongst other countries.

NTSC – National Television Standards Committee

‘NTSC’ is used for broadcasting in United States, Canada, Japan and some parts of Central and South America.

Converting PAL to NTSC

If you plan on distributing your DVD to America then your master DVD will need to be converted to NTSC format prior to replication or duplication. This will ensure that your DVD works on DVD players in America. You should also be aware that most computer based DVD players will play both PAL and NTSC DVD’s so although your DVD may work on a computer it won’t necessarily run on a DVD player if it is not in the correct format.

DVD replication and duplication supplier’s, such as wewow, can convert your DVD to NTSC or PAL ready for the replication/duplication of your DVDs.

What do you need before starting a CD or DVD duplication project?

2010-04-20T14:19:00.002Z

So you’re ready for place your CD or DVD duplication order. Here’s a quick check-list to help you prepare all the parts that your CD and DVD duplication supplier will need in order to start producing your order.

Master disc
Check your master CD/DVD thoroughly and make sure it is set up exactly how you want your duplicated CDs to be. Your CD/DVD duplicator will make exact copies of the master disc so you must make sure that it runs smoothly and works on all the relevant media players.
Artwork
Thorough guidance on how to set your CD, DVD and packaging artwork up can be found on our website and in previous blog posts but here are a few pointers:

Request artwork templates from your supplier and any other guidelines they may have – every supplier has slightly different specifications so its important to use your current suppliers templates to avoid having to amend your artwork at a later stage.

Check your CD/DVD artwork thoroughly before sending it to print, including checking for spelling mistakes.

It’s always a good idea to print out your artwork and make a quick mock-up of any packaging and paper parts you are ordering, to ensure that the design is laid out as you want it.
Payment
Ask your CD/DVD duplication company what their payment terms are and ensure that you’re happy with these terms before going ahead.
If you are a brand new customer then they may ask for 50% payment before production starts and most suppliers ask for full payment prior to dispatch so be sure to agree this with your duplication company before placing an order.

Having submitted your CD/DVD master disc, artwork and payment to your supplier you can expect to receive digital proofs and confirmation of an expected delivery date. Then sit back and wait for your finished discs to arrive! :-)

Eco-friendly Paper…FSC Accredited vs. Recycled Stock?

2010-04-20T12:26:00.003Z

Using card or paperboard to create your CD or DVD packaging is a great step towards producing a sustainable media project. However, the wide range of ‘eco-friendly’ options available to your may seem overwhelming at first!

In the past we have discussed the difference between using virgin card and recycled card but your ‘green’ options are not limited to recycled cardboard.

Recycled stock may seem like the obvious choice – it utilizes waste material and therefore diverts waste paper from landfill. However, the process through which paper is recycled is key. In the past, people have been concerned that recycled paper is not that eco-friendly because harmful pollutants are required in order to bleach the paper pulp. Fortunately, new methods exist which have the ability to bleach paper whilst only releasing water and oxygen into the atmosphere. Other methods include ‘de-inking’ which simply disperses the ink throughout the paper. Recycled cardboard can add to the aesthetics of your DVD/CD packaging design since it is available in a range of textures and colours.

Alternatively, you could opt for FSC accredited stock. FSC accreditation gives you complete assurance that the paper/card used for your project is not harming the environment since FSC paper comes from sustainable and well-managed forests. So you can your CD/DVD packaging from high-quality virgin paper whilst still being environmentally responsible.

In actual fact, it is often difficult to distinguish between virgin and recycled stock in terms of quality so the decision often just comes down to the overall look and feel you are seeking for your CD or DVD project. If you are unsure of the options available to you then seek advice from your supplier. They will be able recommend a stock which is most suitable for your requirements and provide you with a number of samples to help you make a decision.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on FSC Accredited vs. Recycled Paperboard so please post your comments. Which do you prefer?

Recycled Stock FSC Accredited

Designing Artwork for CD & DVD Projects – Outlining Fonts

2010-03-17T17:11:00.002Z

Our design team often get asked how to outline or embed fonts on artwork for CD and DVD printing and why this step in the artwork preparation is necessary. Here is a quick step by step guide to make your life that bit easier:

Guide for Adobe Illustrator:

Open up your artwork in Adobe Illustrator and select all (Ctrl+A).
Select Type from the menu bar and Create Outlines (Shift+Ctrl+O)

Guide for Adobe Photoshop:

Open up your artwork in Adobe Photoshop and make sure your template layer is hidden.
Select Layer from the menu bar and Convert to Shape

Alternatively, you can save your artwork as a .jpeg file.

I sent a PDF document so why do the fonts need to be embedded?

Our pre-production process means that all artwork is opened up in Adobe Illustrator and set up for print or for the production of screens. If fonts have not be outlined or embedded and we do not have the font you have used then the text will revert to our default font. By outlining/embedding the fonts or supplying a flattened image, your original design will be preserved and the artwork will be printed exactly how you intended.

And the winner is...

2010-03-03T15:21:00.007Z

Way back in September 2009, wewow launched a competition like no other. We asked students, graduates and budding product designers to come up with innovative and sustainable packaging solutions CD’s, DVD’s or USB flash drives.

We received entries from far and wide and some of them really blew us away! We are now pleased to announce that the winner is Sun Park, a post-graduate student from Central St Martins College, London. Sun Park successfully combined design flair with sustainability to produce an innovative packaging solution.

Entries came from far and wide and the short-listed design of Florin Alexa-Morcov from Romania was a particular favourite amongst the judges. His design, ‘DisPlay,’ transformed CD storage into a unique interior design feature whilst utilizing sustainable paperboard and water-based glues.

Commendations also go to; Andrew Rennie, who produced a distinctive packaging solution for CDs, providing an eye-catching alternative to jewel case packaging, Sarah Young, the designer of a unique USB packaging solution, ideal for promotional give-aways and Thomas Horwood-Luscombe for his unique DVD mailer design.

Printed CDs as high-impact marketing tools

2010-01-15T09:37:00.007Z

Leaflets, posters, business cards, corporate brochures…all of these marketing resources are used by businesses to pass on their sales message to potential customers. Yet, all of these materials are easily thrown into the bin by your customers without a second thought. What is there to distinguish your leaflet from the many others given to potential clients at the same exhibition? What makes your message more than just junk mail? Not a lot.

Now consider handing a CD out to your customers – branded with your logo and containing your sales message or corporate brochure. Pressed CDs provide added value to your promotional materials, customers are less likely to throw them away than a leaflet or business card and your prospective clients will be so curious about the contents of the disc that they will have to take it home and pop it into their computer.

Even if the disc ends up being used as a coaster when your prospect no longer has a use for the data, your brand will still be in front of them.

wewow provide all the tools and guidance you need to make branded CDs work for you. Contact us on 01274 301410 for guidance on how to make an impact with replicated CDs.

wewow announces competition finalists!

2009-12-21T15:30:00.000Z

In September we launched a worldwide search for students, graduates and budding product designers with innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for the optical media industry!

Having been inundated with entries, we were astounded by the high standard and creativeness of the designs. We are now pleased to announce the short-listed entrants who have made it through to the final stages of the competition.

2009 Finalists
Thomas Horwood-Luscombe with 'Spilt Seed'
Florin Gheorghe Alexa-Morcov with 'DisPlay'
Sarah Young with 'webox'
Sun Young Park with 'Logo Lock'
Andrew Rennie with 'SlidePak'

We wish all of our finalists the best of luck and we look forward to crowning the winner on 29^th January 2010.

wewow supports the 10:10 campaign

2009-12-11T16:33:00.002Z

wewow have joined the 10:10 campaign and will be aiming to reduce our carbon emissions by 10% by 2010.

We hope to achieve this by;

Continuing to develop eco-friendly media packaging solutions which avoid the use of plastic in particular.
Maintaining our commitment to environmentally friendly internal policies such as recycling and energy saving and we will continually review our eco-policy.
We will work with local businesses in our efforts to Reuse, Recycle and Reduce. For example, we donate our used cardboard boxes to a local company who has a requirement for them.
We will continue our efforts to work with students, graduates and fellow professionals to encourage sustainable design.

For further information and to join the 10:10 campaign click on the badge above :-)

wewow opens London office!

2009-12-01T09:00:00.003Z

wewow are thrilled to announce the opening of our London office! wewow are working with more clients in and around the London area so we decided it was time for us to spread our wings and keep our ‘travelling’ emissions down to a minimum.

So if you're based in and around London and looking for CD/DVD replication, duplication or eco-friendly packaging, drop our London sales team a line on 0207 665 4455

DVD Packaging Gets a Green Makeover – DVD WowWallet is launched

2009-11-16T14:56:00.004Z

Looking for an eco-friendly packaging solution for your DVDs? Check out wewow’s brand new DVD WowWallet @ www.weeco.co.uk/dvd-wowwallet

The DVD WowWallet is the latest addition to our range of green media packaging and incorporates all the great features of the original WowWallet but in DVD size!

So what’s special about our new DVD wallet? Well, it’s produced from a single piece of card, features a space for a DVD booklet and can be fully printed with vegetable based inks.

You are free to choose your preferred card too. We offer FSC accredited, uncoated, coated or even 100% recycled. Alternatively you specify the stock and we will do the rest! If you are unsure about the best options our team are on hand to help.

The DVD WowWallet is the perfect alternative to the traditional, plastic DVD case…not only does it have twice as much space to print your artwork, it also protects and presents your disc in a new and refreshing way! And even though DVD WowWallet is a premium DVD case, we’ve made sure that this package is cost-effective without skimping on quality.

For more information on any of our eco-friendly packaging products, give us a call on 01274 301410 or email us @ sales@wewow.co.uk

Go for Green with Wewow's Eco-friendly Printing

2009-11-02T17:32:00.002Z

When producing an eco-friendly CD or DVD project, it is important to assess every aspect of the production process. The good news is that wewow have done the hard work for you by designing packaging solutions so that every aspect of the package is as green as possible.

The printing of a CD or DVD packaging solution is sometimes overlooked as the emphasis is often on material and design. However, wewow are committed to using vegetable based inks to produce all of their packaging products. Not only do these inks draw upon natural and sustainable sources – vegetables – they massively reduce the amount of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds), in comparison with petroleum based inks.

This autumn wewow have also introduced alcohol-free printing and their unique packaging solutions will now be printed on a completely alcohol free printer or on a printer which uses less than 5% (the average on most presses is 25%). As with vegetable based inks, alcohol-free printing reduces the VOCs released into the atmosphere and it actually produces higher quality results, so you will find that the finished print has brighter and cleaner colours.

For more information, please contact us today on 01274 301410 or email us at info@wewow.co.uk

Recycled DVD Cases…A Safe, Eco-Friendly Solution?

2009-10-23T10:51:00.001Z

Recycled DVD cases are used throughout the optical media industry. They offer a durable and protective packaging solution for DVD media, they are certainly cheaper than premium DVD cases and they are seemingly more eco-friendly. After all, they’re produced from recycled plastic, right?

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging solution for your media project however, recycled DVD cases may not be the best option for you. On a superficial level, recycled cases often have a strong odour which detracts from the professional finish of the project. More worryingly, a well known manufacturer has undertaken research which indicates that there may be dangers to using recycled DVD cases, as the recycled content of many cases does not meet legal requirements, due to the contamination of recycled plastics (Amaray, 2009).

There is an abundance of card-based alternatives to recycled DVD cases in today’s market; the majority of which offer a safe and sustainable solution. For example, the DVD WowWallet is close to the size of a traditional DVD case and even has room for a printed DVD booklet. In fact, it has an edge over a DVD case which can only be branded by the insertion of a DVD wrap – the WowWallet can be printed inside and out and there is no need for the extra collation cost of inserting a wrap. Since wewow only use FSC accredited or 100% recycled board you can be assured of its sustainability.

For more information visit our website or call us on 01274 301410.

Plastic CD/DVD Packaging - Polystyrene vs Polypropylene

2009-10-02T15:02:00.002Z

CD/DVD packaging is a key consideration for companies and individuals who are planning to produce an optical media project. The demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions is mounting but card-based packages are not suitable for every customer’s requirements. Plastic disc packaging has a strong position within the industry and providing that careful consideration is given to the material used, be it polystyrene or polypropylene, it need not be disregarded.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene is often used to produce standard jewel cases as it is a cost-effective, durable material. It can be coloured or clear and its clarity is almost unmatched by other plastics. However, this clarity causes the case to be fragile and prone to breakages.

Cases that contain more plastic will be more durable and better suited for shipping. However, they are also more expensive. Such cases will also work better with automated collation lines because they are heavier and therefore have better tolerances.

Customers often order additional units to compensate for any breakages that occur during transit. However, this increases wastage and cost.

This material can be recycled but it can be difficult to find a recycler who accepts polystyrene.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is often used for DVD cases and CD cases such as C-shell as it is a stiff plastic which produces more durable hinges than other materials. This substance contains rubber, making it more pliable than some plastics, and it can be produced in a variety of colours.

Polypropylene is recyclable and is often recycled. However, cases which contain recycled materials may not be as heavy and strong as those which are 100% virgin material and recycled cases often have a noticeable smell.

wewow always recommend that customers consider all of the available options and select a package which is best suited to their own individual needs. For this reason, we offer plastic based packaging alongside card-based packaging solutions and our team are always on hand to provide thorough information and guidance on all of our products.

9.9.9…Eco-packaging emergency

2009-09-09T09:40:00.001Z

Do you have an eco-packaging emergency? Don’t despair weEco.co.uk is here!

With the demand for environmentally-friendly media packaging solutions mounting, wewow Ltd. are launching a dedicated eco-division to major in the development of eco-friendly media packaging! On 9/9/9 wewow will launch weEco.co.uk.

As wewow’s packaging range continues to wow their clients, weEco will become the home of the best eco-packaging in the industry. With a portfolio which includes the hugely successful WowWallet and WowPak, weEco will be an unmissable showcase of wewow’s and weEco’s growing packaging range.

In addition to an impressive range of printable, eco-friendly media packaging solutions and ‘off-the-shelf’ products, weEco will offer a unique product design service. Clients who are looking for a bespoke eco-packaging solution can commission weEco to design a new product, which will specifically address their environmental, commercial and design requirements.

Is recycled paper less eco-friendly than virgin stock?

2009-07-31T14:59:00.002Z

There is a common myth that recycled paper is not an eco-friendly alternative to using non-recycled paper because it requires more energy to produce and releases more pollution.

On the face of it, recycled paper does use more energy than non-recycled stock because of the additional cleaning involved. However, waste paper does not require the vast amounts of energy which is involved in turning wood chips into pulp – which is required to produce new paper.

To dispel another myth, the production of recycled paper does NOT produce more pollution than the production of new paper. Many recycled papers require little, if any, bleaching for example. In contrast, virgin pulp, which is naturally brown, has to be bleached before it can be made into paper. Furthermore, in general, eco-friendly processes are used to clean waste paper, if necessary, such as diluting and dispersing ink into the pulp (which does not produce any extra pollution).

Recycled paper is certainly a ‘green’ option but that doesn’t mean that new paper cannot be eco-friendly. If you wish to use new paper rather than recycled, opt for an FSC accredited stock and you can be sure that your paper has come from a sustainable and well managed forest.

wewow work with a vast range of FSC and 100% recycled stocks so whatever you need we can help.

Recent Eco-friendly Projects

2009-07-21T09:32:00.003Z

Recent Projects :)

2009-07-21T09:11:00.010Z

wewow plan launch of unique eco-friendly packaging design competition

2009-07-21T09:08:00.002Z

With the launch of their specialist eco-friendly packaging arm, weEco.co.uk, approaching wewow have announced that they will be hosting a unique competition for budding product designers.

wewow Ltd. are keen to work with the best up and coming design talent and encourage sustainable design practices, with the aim of developing a bespoke media package which will benefit both their clients and the environment.

The competition will be open to anyone over the age of 18 with a unique packaging design concept for optical media. Designers should pay particular attention to the eco-friendly credentials of their design and the winner will work with wewow to develop their idea into a sustainable and commercially viable product.

Individuals, companies and educational institutions who are interested in participating in the competition should register their interest by emailing competitions@wewow.co.uk to receive an information pack. Applications will be available online from 1^st September 2009.

Eco-friendly Optical Media Project

2009-07-16T11:56:00.003Z

wewow have recently worked on an eco-friendly project with Nelson and Colne College. The project involved bringing together printed and replicated DVDs with environmentally friendly WowWallets which were produced using FSC accredited board and printed with vegetable based inks.

The end results were impressive and we are pleased to add another 'green' project to our portfolio.

Professional CD and DVD Printing Options

2009-07-06T08:50:00.002Z

Gone are the days of sticking printed labels onto discs. Quality CD/DVD duplication and replication companies now print directly onto the face of CDs and DVDs with a range of high-quality solutions available for projects of varying size.

Inkjet Print

Inkjet-print technology is now so advanced that professional results can be produced with ease and at a low cost for short-run projects. CMYK ink is laid onto CD-R and DVD-R discs which are coated specifically to allow for the absorption of the ink. High standard printable discs are available but budget discs can also be used if necessary as both produce professional results. For large volume jobs, a more cost-effective option is to opt for silk screen or lithographic print.

Silk-Screen Print

For large volume projects, generally those above 500 units, silk-screen is one of the most cost-effective print methods and produces visually stunning results. Each individual colour, up to 5 being printed in total, is applied using a separate film. For designs that utilize large areas of block colour, silk-screen is the ideal solution as spot/pantone colours can be applied and produce glossy, solid results. Pantone colours also allow for an exact colour match.

Lithographic Offset Print

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) are printed onto the disc using rollers. Smaller text, detailed photographic images and gradients are printed much more effectively with this method. Lithographic print is available at 150-175lpi (lines per inch), in contrast to silk screen which is usually at 85-100lpi. Both methods are industry standard.

wewow always advise customers on the most appropriate print option for their project and are on hand to provide explanations and guidance of the various print options that are available.

Happy Birthday…wewow turns 5!

2009-06-22T13:06:00.003Z

On 18^th June, wewow celebrated its 5^th birthday! Here at the wow offices we celebrated with fancy dress and a special lunch. Of course, we used bio-degradable plates, cutlery and cups so that our celebrations were eco-friendly!

Over the 5 years wewow has been trading there have been a lot of developments and exciting changes…having established itself as a leading media packaging supplier, wewow moved into CD/DVD replication and duplication and built a name for itself as a top quality supplier with a reputation for excellent customer service.

In recent years, wewow has developed its own range of bespoke, eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging including; wowPak, WowWallet and the recent addition of the windowed WowWallet.

Now going into our 6^th year we are looking forward to developing our unique range of environmentally friendly packaging and aim to continue promoting green issues throughout the optical media industry.

Bradford…The World’s First ‘City of Film’

2009-06-17T15:07:00.002Z

Having worked with Pace plc to print and duplicate USBs and DVD-R’s as part of Bradford’s bid to become City of Film we were over the moon to hear of Bradford’s success this month. Bradford is now the world’s first City of Film and only the third city in the UK to be part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.

"Becoming the world's first City of Film is wonderful news for the Bradford district, residents and the local economy. The Council has long recognised the importance of the Creative Industries to the local economy and this accolade will help increase employment opportunities, provide greater international links, boost tourism and raise the district's profile,” said Bradford Council's Executive Member for Environment and Culture, and City of Film Board Member, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth.

Having been the location for films such as Billy Liar, Yanks and The Railway Children and supporting Bradford based film makers and school students to create short films it is wonderful to see that Bradford has received recognition for its efforts.

More information can be found at www.bradford-city-of-film.com

wewow launches new environmentally-friendly CD/DVD Wallet

2009-06-12T14:51:00.001Z

Here at wewow we have been very excited about World Environment Day 2009. In the wewow offices we have had a bake sale to raise money for the Forest of Bradford and have spent time actively looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

We are also pleased to announce the launch of the newest edition to our eco-friendly CD & DVD packaging range - the WowWallet with window. This optical media package can be produced from FSC accredited board or 100% recycled board. The window at the front of the wallet allows the package to be customized by inserting a CD booklet, which can be printed with vegetable based inks, rather than full colour print. Because the wallet itself does not need to be printed with branding, the wallets can be produced in bulk thereby reducing costs and waste. Furthermore, customers can buy the wallets in bulk and simply produce new booklets for new editions of their CD or DVD, rather than having to throw away excess wallets with printed artwork which is no longer appropriate. Therefore, this new product is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for projects of all sizes.

This latest offering from wewow is part of their unique range of bespoke green packaging. Further information can be found at here or can be requested from the wewow sales team.

Why is cardboard media packaging more eco-friendly than traditional plastic options.

2009-05-29T12:53:00.001Z

Recent research published by the non-for-profit organisation Julie’s Bicycle has shown that the carbon emissions produced by the media industry could be significantly reduced by the adoption of alternative forms of packaging, as opposed to the traditional plastic jewel case. Significantly, the greatest reduction in emissions would result from the use of entirely card options.

Because plastic-based media packaging is produced from oil and recycling rates for plastic are low, the traditional jewel case and DVD case products present a challenge to eco-aware customers. As a result, customers are calling out for a more environmentally-friendly alternative, but what is it that makes card-based products more eco-friendly than plastic products?

In contrast to plastic packages, cardboard based packaging can be produced from virgin or recycled fibre, thereby allowing the customer the option of using board from sustainable forests. The source of the cardboard used is vital in ensuring that disc packaging is sustainable as poorly sourced fibre is not an ethical alternative to plastic. wewow are committed to producing packaging solely from FSC accredited stock so you can be sure that their products come from sustainable sources. There are a range of factors which affect sustainability of a packaging product, including the energy intensity of the process – the production of the WowWallet is much less energy intensive, for example, and wewow are always looking for ways to improve their production processes.

The production of CD/DVD packaging also raises labour issues, as products produced overseas in countries with differing labour standards may not fulfil the high labour and health and safety standards which the industry should be encouraging. wewow manufacture all of their eco-friendly optical media packaging in the UK so that customer’s can be sure of the ethicality of the production process. Furthermore, UK production, and more specifically local production, ensures that carbon emissions produced by the transportation of goods is kept to a minimum.

The exciting thing about the move towards eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging is that many of the new, card-based packaging options are strikingly unique and offer a bespoke alternative to the plastic cases which provide only limited scope for originality. For example, wewow’s range of eco-friendly packaging can be printed full colour inside and out and also allows space for a booklet. Of course, the way in which disc packaging is printed is central to ensuring that the product is eco-friendly. This issue will be discussed in more detail in wewow’s next blog.

This blog is part of a series of wewow articles being published to mark World Environment Day 2009 and aiming to raise awareness of the environmental issues surrounding the optical media and packaging industry.

World Environment Day

2009-05-27T13:29:00.004Z

As World Environment Day 2009 is on 5^th June, we have decided to zoom in on some of the environmental issues surrounding the optical media industry. This month, we will be publishing a series of blogs offering practical advice and guidance on how to make your media project eco-friendly.

CD/DVD packaging is coming under close scrutiny at the moment as the industry looks to improve on the impact its products have upon the environment. The question is what should customers look for when selecting environmentally-friendly packaging?

The best way to explore the various eco-friendly options that are available is to deal with a supplier who is leading the way with environmentally friendly media packaging. Not only will they be experts in this area and able to offer you lots of information and guidance, they won’t be afraid to try something new. This area of the industry is growing quickly and eco-friendly media packaging experts are constantly researching new eco-friendly options and packaging designs.

wewow have been keen to take the lead in reducing the industries carbon footprint by developing a range of eco-friendly packaging options as alternatives to the traditional plastic based products. The wowPak set the ball rolling as wewow’s first packaging option to be manufactured entirely from FSC accredited board, meaning that the wowPak is made only from sustainable sources. The plastic tray was replaced by the unique pop up compartment which securely holds the disc in place and the entire CD/DVD pack can be printed with vegetable based inks.

Following the success of wowPak, wewow have gone on to develop the WowWallet, which has become one of the most popular developments within the industry this year. Similar to wowPak, WowWallet is made from FSC accredited paperboard, printed with vegetable based inks and there is not a plastic tray in sight. In order to reduce the products carbon emissions further, wewow have introduced an option to finish the WowWallet with a bio-degradable laminate and the wallet can be secured with bio-degradable shrink wrap.

wewow are dedicated to developing their range of eco-friendly CD & DVD packaging and are set to expand the range in the coming months. In our next blog entry we will focus on the benefits of using eco-friendly packaging in comparison to traditional plastic packages.

How to use backing-tracks on your CD/DVD presentation

2009-04-27T10:46:00.004Z

As a CD/DVD Replicator our customers often ask us about issues surrounding video production and mastering. This month, wewow has partnered up with one of the leading authorities on the subject of using backing tracks, Ameritz, to provide you with some helpful tips and guidance. Here are their top tips for first time users;

The first thing that many people can be confused by is the difference between Backing Tracks and Karaoke Tracks.
Backing Tracks are professional recreations that can be used by amateur and professional singers alike for gigs and performances, Backing Tracks also come in either .mp3 (MPEG Layer 3) or MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) formats.
Karaoke often comes in CD+G (Compact Disc + Graphics) format which has on screen lyrics that can be used on Karaoke machines.
When selecting your backing tracks, if previews of the tracks are available always listen to them so that you have a rough idea of how the track will sound when you receive it.
Backing tracks are often made with either MIDI Instruments, Live Instruments or a mixture of both. While MIDI instruments are improving all the time older MIDI tracks can sound dated, tracks with as many live instruments in often give the best sound through the gigging PA’s used by singers.

Further information, as well as thousands of professional backing tracks, can be found at www.ameritz.co.uk

And of course, once you have selected the perfect backing track to complete your CD or DVD, wewow will be on hand to replicate or duplicate your master disc and to complete the project with bespoke, eco-friendly packaging.

How to use custom printing to make your discs stand out from the crowd

2009-04-06T13:06:00.004Z

So you’ve made the decision to use pressed and printed CDs or DVDs for your next marketing promotion or CD release. Did you know that there is much more available than standard full colour printing?

Many suppliers offer bespoke CD/DVD printing options and often there is only a minimal difference in cost. So why not create something unique…

Pantone Colours
You may already be aware of the benefits of using pantone colours with silk-screen print. However, there are many unusual spot colours which are not often utilized. Have you considered using metallic pantones to add that extra sparkle to your printed media? Or perhaps you want to make sure your printed discs can be spotted from a far, in which case fluorescent pantones are the perfect option. The possibilities really are endless and the wewow team are always on hand to offer guidance and inspiration!
Selective White Base
Although replicated CDs and DVDs are often printed with a standard white base, your design can be printed onto a selective white base for no extra cost. This allows the silver base of the disc to shine through and create a real contrast between your bold artwork and the base of the disc. wewow have prepared artwork guidelines to help you to set your artwork up in this way, so it really couldn’t be easier.
Coloured Discs
So it’s not just unique print options we’re talking about, the disc itself can be supplied in a multitude of colours. There’s no better way to make your discs stand out from the crowd than by printing your design onto an orange, pink or even gold disc!

Don’t forget to make the most of bespoke packaging - to compliment your unique printed discs wewow offer a range of bespoke, eco-friendly packaging, the perfect way to add the finishing touches to your project.

If you’d like further guidance on the printing and replication of optical media discs please contact wewow on 01274 301410 or sales@wewow.co.uk

How to avoid common artwork mistakes

2009-03-16T15:39:00.004Z

Design templates

As different manufacturers have different artwork specifications; it can be difficult to know how to set your CD/DVD or Paper-Parts artwork up correctly.

wewow provide artwork templates and thorough guidelines to ensure that customer’s are aware of our exact specifications. However, we also understand that it is sometimes easier to pick up the phone and talk to an expert about artwork issues. That’s why our customer service team is fully trained in print and artwork issues and if there are any questions they can’t answer, our in-house design team are always on hand to help as well.

Once you have completed your artwork, the key thing to remember is that the templates must be removed prior to print. If you want to place the template in a separate layer for reference, this is fine.
Printer’s pairs and page numbers

When ordering CD or DVD booklets, the artwork must be supplied in printer’s pair’s, rather than designer’s pairs. It is also extremely helpful if the pages are supplied with page numbers so that wewow can be sure the pages are printed in the correct order.

If you’re unsure whether your artwork is ordered correctly, we would recommend that you print a copy of the artwork out and put together a quick mock up. You should also carefully check the PDF proofs which are supplied by wewow.

If you need any further guidance on printer’s pairs, wewow have put together a help file which contains helpful diagrams and information. This can be downloaded here or requested form our customer service team.
Screenprint vs. lithographic

wewow are pleased to offer three different print processes; inkjet, silk-screen and lithographic. However, we do understand that it can be difficult to know how to set your artwork up for the best results…

Customers no longer need worry about avoiding block colour designs when opting for inkjet print. wewow now have the latest inkjet-technology, which means that ‘streaky’ block colour print is a thing of the past.

Lithographic print produces fantastic results for photographic images but for designs with lots of block colour, silk screen print is always the preferred option. Lithographic print uses CMYK (rather than spot colours), which means that block colour can be printed with a ‘dotty’ effect, as the individual pixels are somewhat visible.

For this reason, we always recommend that silk-screen print is used for block colour and that pantone colours are selected appropriately. Pantone colours should always be set up as 100% solid colour and if a lighter colour is required then a lighter pantone colour should be selected, rather than applying a transparency or percentage of a pantone. If spot colours are not set up as 100% solid colour, then they can appear slightly ‘dotty’ or pixelated.
Fonts!

Due to the number of different fonts that are available on the internet nowadays and the ever present PC – MAC divide, font issues are becoming increasingly problematic.

To avoid text reverting to our default font prior to print, we ask that all fonts are outlined or rasterized/flattened. By outlining the fonts, you will convert the text to vector graphics rather than editable text. Alternatively, you can send across the font files via email and wewow will outline the fonts for you. However, please be aware that any font files supplied must be PC based.
Resolution

Resolution often causes problems when it comes to producing high quality printed artwork. wewow recommend that the resolution of artwork is a minimum of 300pdi. Unfortunately, if you grab images off of the internet they will only be 72dpi and will appear pixelated if printed.

Ideally, artwork should be supplied in vector format but where this is not possible, 300dpi should be used as a minimum. Be wary of simply specifying the resolution as 300dpi when you save artwork – if you have taken an image from the web it will only be 72dpi and saving as 300dpi will not increase the quality. The only way to increase the resolution is to make the images smaller (as this reduces the number of dots per inch), so it is always advisable to use original high resolution images.

Pantone Colours

2009-01-23T16:58:00.001Z

So you’ve made the decision to use silk-screen print or perhaps your CD/DVD replication company recommended that you opt for this print option. Your next step is to decide which pantone colour to use…which may not be as straightforward as you thought…

Silk-screen print with pantones is perfect for printing block colours – the result will be a smooth colour with a lovely gloss finish. Alternatively you could opt for a matt finish or even use metallic or fluorescent colours. Whichever option you decide upon, it is important to take great care when selecting your pantone colours.

If you are looking for an exact match to an existing colour, for example your corporate colours or company logo, you will need to select a pantone which matches your original CMYK colour as closely as possible. This can be done by using design software, such as Adobe Photoshop, or by using a Pantone Reference Guide. Some suppliers even provide electronic pantone guides free of charge for their customers, so it’s worth asking.

If you want to make sure the pantone colours you have selected are a perfect match, your best option is to request a wet-proof from your supplier. This will probably come at an extra cost, but it is highly recommend. Alternatively, many suppliers offer chromalin proofs as a cheaper alternative to wet proofs.

It is also important to bare in mind that you will need to opt for a white base to accurately match pantone colours. Don’t worry if you want the silver base to be visible in part, as many suppliers will print a selective white base for no extra cost.

The next thing to consider is if you need your CD’s or DVD’s to match the colour of your paper parts or printed literature. CD/DVD replication suppliers generally print full colour CMYK for no extra charge. However, if you require pantone colours to be printed onto your paper parts, this may incur an additional charge. However, this can often lead to disappointment as the colour match is not 100% accurate, as you are printing onto 2 different surfaces, the print processes will be slightly different and there will be different drying times involved. For this reason, it is always advisable to see printed proofs of your artwork before stumping up the extra cost for using pantone colours on paper parts.

Finally, be wary of signing off electronic proofs if you are unsure about your colour choice. Electronic proofs display colours in RGB – unfortunately, this means that they may look different on your monitor than they will when printed. Also, they will look different on other people’s monitors, depending on the calibration of their screen. If accurate colours are important to your project, it is always best to see printed proofs before proceeding in order to avoid disappointment.

For more information on pantone colours, silk-screen and lithographic print, please visit:
www.wewow.co.uk
www.pantone.com

wewow introduces WowWallet!

2008-12-05T12:25:00.004Z

Bradford-based CD and DVD replication company, wewow, have announced the launch of WowWallet. WowWallet is an innovative and cost-effective solution to environmentally friendly CD/DVD packaging.

Following the success of wowpak earlier this year, wewow have designed another unique and attractive CD/DVD package which can be manufactured from FSC accredited board and is 100% sustainable. The WowWallet has been developed so that it can be produced for both short run and larger projects, meaning that eco-friendly packaging is now accessible to all, regardless of budget.

wewow are dedicated to finding unique environmentally friendly solutions for a range of media projects and are set to launch a third eco-friendly disc package in the new year.

For more information on WowWallet or any of wewow’s service, contact sales@wewow.co.uk or give us a call on 0845 450 62 62.

How To Make Your Project Eco-friendly

2008-12-01T14:15:00.009Z

Producing a CD or DVD project which is environmentally friendly can be a minefield with many different companies promoting their varied services and products as sustainable and eco-friendly. Here at wewow, we believe in making it as easy as possible for you to go green so we have taken the time to put together a few tips to help you reduce the impact of your CD/DVD project upon the environment.

Green CD and DVD Packaging
CD and DVD packaging makes a significant contribution to the carbon emissions of CD/DVD duplication and replication projects. wewow have responded to the environmental impact of disc packaging by designed a unique range of environmentally friendly CD and DVD packaging. The WOW! Range includes the WowPak, WowWallet, WowSpiral and WowPromo products; providing earth friendly packaging solutions for projects and budgets of all sizes.
Environmentally friendly CD/DVD packaging also adds value to a release as it is often bespoke and demonstrates a real commitment to the environment by the DVD or CD producers.

Recycled Products
There are a number of different materials used to produce eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging and paper parts, including using recycled materials. Recycled materials can vary from recycled card or paper to recycled CDs and DVDs!

Recycling
Your CD/DVD replication, duplication and packaging supply may offer a recycling services for unwanted and wasted discs. If you have any unwanted CDs or DVDs then please ask your supplier what they can do to help. If they don't accept CDs and DVDs for recycling themselves, they will probably be able to recommend a recycling company that does.
Environmental Policy
If you're asking your replication or duplication supplier whether they will recycle YOUR unwanted CDs and DVDs it is also worth asking how they themselves dispose of waste CDs and DVDs. Unfortunately, wasted discs are a by-product of the disc manufacturing and print process so if you are looking for a 'green' supplier be sure to find out how they deal with waste materials. Eco-friendly companies will generally have an ethical statement and internal environmental policy
and should be more than happy to send you a copy.
Eco-friendly paper parts

Paper parts such as booklets, wraps and wallets can easily be produced from eco-friendly paper, such as FSC accredited or recycled stock. In addition to the material used to produce the paper parts, look out for printers who use vegetable-based inks and low-alcohol or alcohol free printers.

If you're hoping to produce an eco-friendly CD or DVD project it is important to choose the right supplier, who is dedicated to the environment and will offer guidance and support every step of the way.

How to plan your next album release!

2008-11-14T11:57:00.006Z

So the fun part is over, you’ve recorded your tracks and now you’re ready to produce the finished album! There are a few things to deal with before you can get ready for the big launch party, but we have good news…wewow are here to help!

Having dealt with hundreds of bands, wewow understand what a minefield planning a CD release can be! Excellent organisation is essential to a successful album launch and that’s why we’ve put together a few handy tips to help you plan your next release!

Manufacturing License

It is important that you obtain licenses for any copyrighted material, or cover versions, you have used on your CD. If the material on the CD is entirely your own work, you do not require a licence. You must contact the Mechanical Right’s Protection Society (MCPS) in order to obtain a licence and we would advise that you contact MCPS as early as possible, as it can take a few weeks to obtain a license. Unfortunately, wewow can’t obtain licenses on your behalf, so you will need to contact MCPS directly.
wewow just require you to sign our indemnity form in order to confirm that you have the rights to publish the material on your CD – this means that you can avoid the whole MCPS process, if the material is entirely your own.
You will need to decide upon a manufacturer before you apply for a license, as MCPS require the name and address of the manufacturing company, so make sure you ask wewow for a quote well in advance. We’ll be able offer you advise on how to obtain licenses at the same time, so it’s worthwhile contacting us as soon as possible.

Artwork

Don’t leave the artwork design until the last minute! It’s a good idea to get started on this at the same time as you’re dealing with MCPS and mastering, as it will make things much simpler for you if you can supply the master and artwork to the manufacturer all at the same time.

wewow have a team of in-house designers who will be happy to help you design your album cover, if you decide you don’t want to prepare the artwork yourself. The beauty of this is that they are experts in producing artwork for CD projects, so they understand what works best and can ensure that the artwork is technically perfect! All we require is a short brief and any specific images you’d like to use. Then our creative geniuses will whiz together a fantastic design for you!

If you decide to design the artwork yourself, we have a range of resources to help you out! Artwork guidelines and templates can be found on our website.

MCPS will let you know if there are any compact disc logos, copyright information and similar features which need to be included on your artwork and our customer service team are always on hand to offer advice!

Mastering

It may only take you a couple of days to produce your CD, but there is a chance it will take you a few weeks, especially if it’s your first go at mastering a CD. People often feel differently about a mix after they’ve had time to reflect on it, so it’s always a good idea to give yourself plenty of time for those creative juices to flow!

Giving yourself plenty of time in which to produce the CD, means that you won’t have to stress out over any technical problems that may occur. You also need to allow a day or two for posting the finished master disc to the manufacturer.

Delivery

Once wewow have received your master, artwork and initial payment, your dedicated Account Manager will confirm a dispatch date for the discs with you. If you need the discs for a specific date, such as a few days before your launch party, please let us know when placing the order and we will schedule your order into production so that it arrives in plenty of time.

Dealing with the media…

Promo copies

Another thing to consider is whether you require any promotional copies to be distributed before the official release. Distributing promos is a great way it built up media interest and ensure that your release receives as much media attention as possible!
Bear in mind that any promotional copies must be labelled up with the words ‘Promotional Copy Only – Not For Resale,’ as requested by MCPS. This must be agreed with MCPS when applying for your licence, if you are paying royalties to a third party.
We can offer help with printing the stickers and collation into press packs, depending on quantity, so please feel free to ask a member of our sales team how we can help!

Deadlines!

It is really important that you account for magazine and distributor deadlines when planning your CD release. Having your CD reviewed in a magazine is a great opportunity to get local or even nationwide coverage! But for this to happen, you need to allow yourself plenty of time to distribute your promotional copies. In some cases you may need to send out your promos 3-4 months in advance, in order to accommodate for the magazine’s production schedule. Some magazines may have a shorter turnaround time, but the last thing you want is to miss an opportunity with a monthly magazine because your promo doesn’t arrive in time!
Distributors also have strict deadlines which you will need to meet in order to have your CDs in the shops before the big realise date!
This may all seem a bit daunting but it needn’t be problem as long as you plan ahead. Find out what the deadlines are and plan according.

wewow are experienced in planning projects and ensuring that deadlines are met so just ask us and we will help you make your project run as smoothly as possible…just don’t forget to invite us to the big launch party ;)

8 tips for creating eye-catching disc artwork

2008-11-07T12:51:00.007Z

As we all know, first impressions are important so whether you’re using discs to market your company, promote your band or generate interest in your latest product, it’s important to make a good first impression!

An eye-catching design can add extra impact to your CD or DVD so wewow have put together a few tips for creating unique and creative artwork…

1. Think about the impression you want to make
Do you want your discs to look creative and unusual or is it important that the discs look simple and understated? The most important thing is to create a design which suits your brand and the product or services which you are trying to promote.

2. Make the most of blank space
Leaving the white or silver base of the disc visible is a great way to break up your artwork and ensure that the disc doesn’t look too busy. Why not consider using a selective white base? This is a tool not often utilized, so it’s a sure fire way to grab people's attention.

3. Make your logo or brand name stand out from the crowd!
So you’ve got their attention? Now you need to make sure your potential customer knows who you are! Make sure your logo stands out and that they are left with a lasting impression of your brand. If you want customers to purchase your discs, strong branding is essential.

4. Copyright
Avoid the temptation to copy images from the internet. This might seem like a quick solution but the quality wont be great (web images are 72dpi but a resolution of 300dpi is required for print!) and more importantly, it is illegal. Make sure you get permission from the owner or use original images.

5. Consider using bespoke packaging
If you do decide to go with a more unusual form of packaging, create a design that utilizes the uniqueness of the package. Eye-catching packaging deserves eye catching artwork, so make sure you make the most of it!

6. Get a second opinion
Ask your colleagues, family and friends of a second opinion, a fresh set of eyes is always useful and they may think of ways to make the design even more striking.

7. Ask wewow for help
If you do find you need a bit more guidance or a few more ideas to get you started, speak to our team of designers who deal with this kind of design work every day. They’ll be able to give you advice and help you create the perfect artwork.

8. Think outside the box!
The key to all of this is to be original and imaginative! Use metallic or fluorescent pantone colours, selective white bases, matt finishes…the possibilities really are endless and more often than not you won’t even have to pay an extra cost to create a completely unique design.

wowpak packs a punch

2008-03-06T16:54:00.006Z

Bradford-based CD and DVD replication company, wewow, has recently launched their exclusive wowpak, an innovative solution to cost effective, recyclable corporate CD/DVD packaging that delivers a huge impact. Managing Director, Stuart Jones explains: ‘As a packaging company, it is becoming increasingly important to satisfy, not only our customers’ requirements, but also our environmental responsibilities. Our brand new wowpak can hold a CD or DVD and a mini-brochure, or 2 CDs or DVDs. And because it’s just one piece of board, die-cut and glued, it’s completely recyclable and extremely cost-effective to produce.’

More information on wowpaks can be found at www.wewow.co.uk/wowpak.asp

wewow – a shining light in the CD/DVD Replication Industry!

2007-10-02T09:38:00.001Z

It’s the busiest time of year right now for CD & DVD Replication industry and the company’s that have the best customer support teams will shine!

wewow majors in the corporate CD/DVD sector and our clients use CDs and DVDs to market themselves throughout the year. However the period between the Summer Holidays and Christmas is a particularly busy marketing time as companies use the last of their marketing budgets before the start of the New Year.

High-calibre customer support teams are paramount, even more so at this time of year. After all, CD production is a manufacturing process and there are many elements that need carefully managing to ensure the print and the data is exactly as per the customers' requirements.

If your project needs more than just the cheapest price then contact wewow for a no-obligation quote (we may not be the VERY cheapest but we are VERY competitive).

wewow have some of the very best customer support executives in the business and are regularly praised by clients on the high level of support and care they deliver.

We would love to be your shining light :-)

Stand out in a crowd with a bleach flat-top (or use EcoDisc)

2007-07-23T15:34:00.001Z

In my last year of school in the late 80’s I wanted to stand out in the crowd. I wasn’t top of the class or good at football and was always conscious that my glasses weren’t cool. I yearned to be different but the regulation maroon school jumper just didn’t cut it.

Becoming a trainee gent’s hairdresser, whilst still at school was my perfect opportunity – I could have any hairstyle I wanted. I started to dream up wacky styles and spent hours poring over the pictures in the salons tired style magazines.

The senior stylists saw me as a bit of a guinea pig, they must have picked up on my secret yearning and even convinced me that having my ear pierced twice in the same ear was de rigueur.

Nick Heyward of Haircut 100 was a huge inspiration and my dream hairstyle was born - I would have a bleached flat-top.

The ‘cut and bleach’ was planned like a military exercise; I would have it done on a Thursday night to allow me to get away with only having to attend school on the Friday so I could take radical action over the weekend if required.

If I could have only filmed the reactions on the faces of my class mates, one kid even walked into a teacher whilst looking at me with an admiring gaze. John, the coolest kid in school and who was first to get the white Nike boots even had the nerve to copy me shortly after, but I had already done the damage.

You know that you have reached the pinnacle when one of the god-like sixth form student’s comments to you that you have a cool hairstyle. Katie, who everyone wanted to go out with, smiled at me from within her entourage – I had cracked it, I got noticed.

If you want to get noticed you might not want to risk a bleached flat-top but you might consider our new EcoDisc DVD. Check out http://www.wewow.co.uk for more info.

P.S. Photos to the highest bidder!