Screen, Litho or Digital Printing: How to Choose the Best CD Print Method
Intro: Why Print Method Matters
When you’re ordering custom CDs or DVDs, the print method you choose can make a big difference to how your discs look, how durable they are, and how much you’ll pay. The three main options are screen printing, lithographic (offset) printing, and digital printing. Each has strengths depending on your artwork, order size, and budget. Let’s break them down so you can decide which is right for your project.
Screen Printing: Bold, Solid Colours
Screen printing is one of the most popular ways to decorate discs, especially when using a small number of solid colours. Ink is pushed through a mesh screen directly onto the disc surface, one colour at a time.
Best for:
Logos, text, and artwork with up to 5–6 solid colours
Pantone colour matching (perfect for corporate branding)
Durable, scratch-resistant finish
Pros:
Rich, vibrant colours with excellent opacity
Long-lasting, resistant to fading
Cost-effective for medium to large runs with limited colour palettes
Cons:
Not suitable for complex photographic images
Each extra colour increases cost
Longer setup compared to digital printing
Lithographic (Offset) Printing: Photographic Detail
Litho printing works by transferring an image from a printing plate onto the disc using an offset process, similar to magazine printing. This method excels at producing full-colour, detailed artwork.
Best for:
Photographs, gradients, and complex artwork
Projects requiring very high image quality
Large production runs where setup costs are spread across thousands of discs
Pros:
Near-photographic image quality
Smooth gradients and subtle tones
Cost-effective at high volumes
Cons:
Higher setup cost than digital or screen
Not as economical for small runs
Longer turnaround times
Digital Printing: Flexible and Fast
Digital printing uses advanced inkjet technology to print directly onto the disc surface, often with a protective UV coating. It’s the most flexible option for short runs and on-demand projects.
Best for:
Small runs (as low as 1–100 discs)
Complex artwork with multiple colours
Quick turnaround jobs
Pros:
No setup costs — great for short runs
Full-colour, detailed images possible
Fast turnaround, often within days
Cons:
Colour matching not as precise as screen/litho
Slightly less durable for heavy handling
Higher per-unit cost on large runs
Comparison Table
| Feature | Screen Printing | Litho Printing | Digital Printing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Logos, solid colours, Pantone match | Photographic images, gradients | Small runs, quick turnaround |
| Image Quality | Bold, opaque colours | Photo-quality, smooth gradients | Very good, but not as sharp as litho |
| Durability | Very high | High | Good (with UV coating) |
| Setup Costs | Medium | High | None |
| Ideal Order Size | 100–5,000 discs | 1,000+ discs | 1–500 discs |
| Turnaround | Medium (a few days to a week) | Longer (1–2 weeks) | Fast (a few days) |
How to Choose the Right Method
For bands and artists releasing an album with colourful artwork but only needing a few hundred copies: go digital for flexibility and speed.
For corporates with branded training discs using 1–2 colours: choose screen printing for perfect Pantone accuracy.
For large orders of 1,000+ retail-ready discs with photographic artwork: litho printing delivers the best finish at the lowest per-unit cost.
Conclusion
Each printing method has its advantages, but the right one depends on your artwork, budget, and deadline.
At Media686, we offer screen, litho, and digital printing for CDs and DVDs, so you can get the perfect finish for your project — whether it’s a handful of discs for a demo, or thousands for a national release.