JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Disc-makers not for me

Back in July, Tom Shea posted how happy he was with Disc-Makers. At that time I was busy finishing up my graphics for my next CD. After reading everyone’s comments I was sold and sure Disc makers was for me.

Well folks, not this time. All I wanted was a digi-pak. I had all the graphics done but didn’t feel comfortable using their PDF templates. I called them for help and was told to use their templates or there was nothing they could do. What?? I can’t send you my graphics and for a small price you put it on your templates? NOPE. I thought I just got a bad customer service rep so I used their “Chat on Line” service and was told the same thing. He did tell me, however, they had a graphic service that I could use for an additional $500, if not then I was S.O.L. Still not taking no for an answer I e-mailed customer service and was told the same thing. OK, don't let the door hit ya!

There are so many CD replication/duplication places that are more than willing to help. One phone call and I was set. I guess Disc-makers has gotten a little too big for us little guys.

I think Iggy that so many disc fulfillment companies now are automated or at least semi-automated that humans don't get to even see the artwork. Its a case of what you send is what you get, and the onus is on you to get it right.

No comebacks then lol

Reminds me, 30 years ago I went to a printer and asked for some letterheads. I gave him the artwork, name address, phone number ect.

On the artwork I had scribbled a new phone number with a big arrow up to the existing one and written in big letters, please use this new number. I had also crossed a line through the old (defunct) number.

Well they printed exactly what was on the paper.
Crossed out number and big arrow and my note as well.

I went ape, but they said, what you send is what we print.

I guess automatic printers do that as well now.

Good luck with your new company

God Bless Roy and Helen

Interesting Iggy. And a funny story, Roy.

I used Discmakers for the first time on my new CD cappuccino. I had been using Kunaki which is totally automated. Discmakers offered the wallet I wanted but Kunaki did not. I also thought Discmakers would be more "manual" but I ended up using the automated pdf upload. It worked fine for a wallet which is just front and back, but it looked awful complicated for a package with more pages. I also was befuddled by the color format they requested. None of my graphic software would make it. So I went with the RGB that I had and it worked pretty well although the cover is slightly darker than I intended.

Anyway, I decided that all the manufacturers I looked into were about the same. And having them do anything related to design was expensive.

I love Discmakers and consider them to be one the most outstanding companies I have ever dealt with. I have used them for three cd projects ---- jewel cases and replication. Outstanding in every way. Each project was better than the one before.

In order to keep there costs down they have to have automated systems --- It is simply a reality. For Justice's latest cd, I used their on-line graphic process and it was great.

Tom

I know of someone that ran into the same problem with Disc Makers, I believe he gave up and went else where to get his CD done.

Funny story Roy. I understand the automation process and used it quite successfully with my last two CD’s. Using Kunaki, I simply uploaded the files, approved the result and voila a nicely produced, professional looking CD. This time, however, I wanted a 6 panel digi-pak. I didn’t have any of the programs to run the formats Discmaker’s templates used. Customer Service’s (that’s an oxymoron) solution was to tell me to buy the program, learn it and then follow their guidelines. They gave me a link to a YouTube video. Not very sympathetic towards the needs of their customers.

Colin, yes they’re all the same with one exception. Customer service. I called several other companies and was told “sure send the graphics, we can do that”. “What else can we do for you?”

Tom, I know you love Disc-makers and I didn’t want to take away from Justice’s CD exposure by responding with my recent experience. I am sure if I wanted to put out another jewel case, I could have followed the on line guides, but for some reason the Digi-paks are another animal. Glad you’re happy.

Everett, Yeap, I’m sure there are other unhappy campers. It’s a shame, cause up until now, I always held Disc-makers as being the Cadillac of CD makers, but sometimes when you get successful you forget what got you there.

Iggy, you can import the PDF templates into GIMP and do what ever you need to do there. It'll save it as a XCF file but once you've finished the project you would then export to PDF or image formats such as PNG, JPG, GIF & etc.
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program.
It's free and takes the place of Photoshop & other image editing software for such jobs as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.
There's a version for Windows, Mac and LINUX.

One of the included template sets is a CDR template, for Scalable Vector Graphics, a process Disk Makers don't want you to use. ????? Why then include it? Anyway, Inkscape, another free piece of excellent software, will handle that format.

I checked out DiscMakers, Kunaki and a few others when I was doing the Deathgrass CD. I couldn't use 'em. I used to be in the graphic-design business; I create my own stuff, using software that doesn't exist any more, and I want it printed exactly the way I designed it. I can convert what I do to *.pdf so other people can read and process it. No problem there.

Those guys couldn't do it. They either insisted on my using their own limited, kludgy software, on designing it themselves without letting me proof it (or charging extra if I did), or couldn't get mine right.

I ended up going with a little outfit in Orange County (CA) called Disk Faktory, which I'd used on my first CD (because they'll do short runs at a decent price). They were a little more expensive than the other guys, but they could use my design and make it come out exactly the way I'd done it. I plan to use them next time, too, for the same reason.

Joe

You can always try Groove House. www.groovehouse.com They're super awesome on customer support.

The whole 'print ready artwork' thing is a bit off-putting at first - the new Lo-Fi EP was the first time I have had to deal with all that automated stuff, but after being offered the opportunity to pay a graphic artist 25 quid an hour I elected to find a simpler and cheaper method - you can import the pdf in Word and edit it there, then re-export as a pdf.

I used http://www.xpresscds.co.uk/ and they were helpful, quick and cheap. Cds were top when they arrived.

Dan

Iggy I completely understand why you would have gone elsewhere - no one place is for everyone. Competition makes different companies work differently ----- I hope your project is a success.

Tom

2nd that opinion.

Thanks everyone. As you can see there are many other companies willing to do what it takes in order to make a sale and win over a customer. I gave Disc-Makers three opportunities. Nothing else to say, really.

Received a very nice e-mail from David Olinsky, EVP at Disc Makers. He stated he has made changes and re-trained his team to better address issues like the one I had.

As I had stated, everything I’ve ever seen from Disc Makers has been top notch so I hope my ruffling of the feathers will help somebody else down the road. For me, it’s too late as I’ve found somebody else.

Hi Iggy:

Sorry you had that experience. It's strange how a company that should understand how difficult it is to make a buck in the music biz would develop such an unsupportive attitude. Best of luck with your new release.

Dave

I decided to go with Kunaki this time. (Last time it was Discmakers.) I was trying to get my project done in time for a show I had coming up. Before I got the sample review disc, time got tight, so I went out on a limb and ended up paying 2nd Day Air rates for 20 discs without a chance to see and listen to the review disc. Fortunately, it was all good, except that I needed to change the times on some of the songs (in my rush to send it off, I neglected to get the correct times after mastering, and instead sent the mock-up I had done with approximate times.) Sold the first batch out at the show that weekend. Meanwhile, I deleted that account and uploaded again with the corrections. Ordered 5 sample discs which arrived and were fine. Ordered 100 more, but they were not going to be here in time for my Bluebird show this weekend, so I also ordered 25 and again paid 2nd Day Air. They arrived night before last. Yesterday I realized that four of the jewel cases were broken. I sent an email to the company I bought them from. Then I started taking the cellophane off of a few (radio folks prefer to receive them that way) and I noticed that the cases were broken on the inside, too. The little teeth that hold the CD in place were mostly all broken off. Bits of plastic were just rattling around inside the cases. 14 out of 25 were defective and unsalable. I searched the web until I found a phone number (it's not on their website) and called them up. I told them I needed to have the discs by Sunday. They said it was impossible since today is Friday and UPS doesn't work on Sunday. They offered me my money back. I reminded them that it was only Thursday, that I had another larger order from them already in transit, and that the reason why I paid high shipping rates for this 25 is because I need them by Sunday. They said they would see what they could do and that I should send an email with the order number. I told them I had already sent three emails, but had gotten no response.
The 14 replacement discs arrived this afternoon (that was quick) but 4 of those are also damaged. I sent them another email. I'm hoping that the 100 (and the order they shipped straight to CD Baby for me) are good. If not, I guess I'll be asking for my money back.

I've used Discmakers and Oasis in the past. Customer service was non- existent at both. The D project came out better than expected. The O project made me feel uncomfortable. Their CS talked down to me, tried to include costly services I didn't need, after the fact. I have a real problem with business's taking my money and acting snotty about it. I usually don't do business with them again. I'm using local companies from now on. Just have to plan ahead a little.

Well, we're not associated with either. I used to be able to get involved in problems, but truth is when we were working together there simply weren't issues like this. I think the same issues that swept our relationship of over a dozen years away are showing up in your experiences. It makes me sad, but it is out of my control.

Brian