Guide to Preparing Double-Sided or Multi-Page Files for Print

Double-sided vinyl foldover printing

Nothing makes us happier than receiving print-ready art files. This saves you time from having to redesign files, saves us time from emailing you a list of issues, and it gets your album or artwork out the door and in your hands quicker. You may be wondering what’s the best way to prepare double-sided or multi-page artwork files for print. Great question, here’s a quick summary:

1) Download the correct templates

Template downloads page

This will always be the first step for any artwork tutorial. Download the templates off of our site, as they are sized to our printing standards and products. Make sure you download the latest template, not just the one that’s been sitting in your Documents folder for two years!

2) Add art in a separate layer

Artwork in separate layer from templates

Most templates will have two visible layers: one that’s marked for Templates, and one that’s marked for Art. Please design using the Art layer in CMYK. If you don’t see an Art layer, create a new layer.

You can begin designing your artwork. Some templates, like our cassette J-cards, will have a file for the front cover and another file for the back cover. The template may also include a file specifically for Adobe Illustrator users where front and back covers are spread across two pages.

3) Save files twice, with and without the template lines

You’ll have to hit Save As two times per page. Once with the template layer visible, and once with the template layer disabled.

STEPS 4 AND 5 APPLY TO ADOBE PHOTOSHOP USERS,
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR USERS CAN SKIP TO STEP 6

4) Open PDF Presentation

Have your front cover or first page file open. Click on File -> Automate -> PDF Presentation.

5) Add files

PDF Presentation

Here you can add files that are currently open in Photoshop, or browse to search for saved files. Make sure you’ve selected Multi-Page Document under the ‘Save As’ option.

Click ‘Save’. You’ll again have to do this twice: once with all the files that have template lines enabled, and once with the files that have template lines disabled.

6) Save as a PDF/X-1a:2001

Save as a PDF/X-1a:2001

The final step! Just use the settings you see above. Most important is that the Adobe Preset is set to PDF/X-1a:2001.

That’s all you need to prepare your artwork! Leave the rest to us, and soon you’ll have high-quality artwork or packaging for your new album. We use digital press for small runs and super high-quality offset press for larger runs and by request. You can find all of our printed products in our online shop.

Audio cassette sticker label guide

Sticker labels are an excellent choice for audio cassettes if you want to show off a killer design in vivid colours. Something to keep in mind when graphic designing is that our stickers aren’t one size fits all, we actually have a few models to choose from. Some mesh better with certain cassette shells than others. Here’s an overview of our different cassette label templates to make your next cassette duplication order even easier!

STANDARD WHITE

These smooth labels have diagonal corners on the top with rounded corners on the bottom. In addition to the regular matte stock is a high gloss version which gives your colours an extra shine. Our 12-up sheets (which is to say 12 labels per page) allow for full bleed, so you can make your images extra large to ensure no artwork will be cut off at the printers.

SQUARE BOTTOM CORNERS

These are similar to the Standard White labels, but instead of rounded corners they have square corners at the bottom. These do not allow for full bleed, so if you’re not careful with your home printing you may find that some of the artwork at the bottom of the label may appear at the top due to a shaky printer. For this reason we suggest using solid colour backgrounds, like the Mothra Stewart tape above (great band name.)

We have a variety of Square Bottom Corner labels! All of them are available on the cassette duplication calculator:
Glossy White Square Bottom
Brown Kraft
Clear Labels
Solid Colour labels

Ezekiel Tha Prophet

FOUR ROUNDED CORNERS (CL4RC)

Pretty self-explanatory, all four of the corners are rounded! They’re printed on matte paper, giving a visceral texture to your cassette. The labels are full bleed, so you need not worry when designing your artwork!

Visit our website to download sticker label templates and get designing!


Which label is right for your cassette?

Chum Out

All you have to do is look at the cassette shell! For example, the Chum Out cassette above is using our ‘Old Computer’ shell, which has beveled style frame. The frame cuts diagonally on the top corners, meaning that you will want to use either our Standard White or Square Bottom Corner style labels.

CL4RC02 Concrete Coloured Paint

Meanwhile, our black cassette shells have rounded corners across the edges, so you’re safe to use the Four Rounded Corners sticker labels without worrying about overlap! Of course, you could use the Standard White labels with this style of shell as well, it’s just a matter of personal preference.


If you have questions about particular shells, don’t hesitate to send us an email, we want to make cassette duplication as smooth of an experience as possible for you. Make sure to check out the cassette selection guide for high-res pictures of our cassette shells.

Order cassette duplication with sticker labels

Want to print them yourself? Buy blank sticker labels through the online store

Four new cassette case colors from Duplication.ca!

How do you follow up a week of new cassette shell colours? You introduce a line of new cassette cases! Our new cassette boxes are bright and cheerful, just in time for a long and hot summer.

Each Norelco case is available as an individual item through our online store or as a packaging option when ordering cassette duplication and print.

Neon Pink Norelco cassette case from Duplication.ca
Neon Pink
For the post-club ravers who crave more unpredictability in their music.
Order online!
Burgundy Norelco cassette case from Duplication.ca

Burgundy
Mysterious and comforting, like the deep woods, or acoustic black metal.
Order online!

Lemon Yellow Norelco cassette case from Duplication.ca

Lemon
A relaxing cassette case for scorching hot days, feels like squeezing a lemon into a white beer.
Order online!

Pink Norelco cassette case from Duplication.ca

Pink
Unafraid to stand out, you spot this pink cassette case and you can hear the off-meter off-tune no wave riffs from SoHo.
Order online!

Want to personalize these new cassette boxes so they’re unmistakably yours? Etch your artwork directly on the case! We can laser engrave text and artwork to cassette cases and the cassette itself. You can add it as an option through our cassette duplication calculator, where you’ll receive an instant quote.

Get your music professionally duplicated on cassette

Double cassette album packaging now available

Double cassette albums from Duplication.ca

Are you releasing an album that’s just too big to fit on a single cassette? Maybe you want to package two albums together as a special edition? Duplication.ca has you covered.

Introducing Double Album Cases for Audio Cassette

Audio Cassette Double Album Case, Black, Polypropylene from Duplication.caAudio Cassette Double Album Case, White, Polypropylene from Duplication.ca

Available in black or white, these double album cases snuggly fit two audio cassette shells. The album snaps closed and has an outer overlay film allowing you to slip in a graphic trapsheet for large-scale artwork. They’re made out of sturdy polypropylene, making them crack resistant despite its lightweight design. There’s even enough space inside to fit a booklet!

Grab them for only $0.38 USD each!

Sangre De La Luna duplicated and packaged by Duplication.ca

We also have single album cases, available in black or transparent editions (the latter allows for double-sided artwork.) Grab them individually in our online store or add them to your duplication order!

USB Cassettes: digital music with an analog design

USB cassettes from Duplication.ca

USB CASSETTES
DIGITAL MUSIC WITH AN ANALOG DESIGN

Do you love the retro aesthetic of audio cassettes but need modern digital merch for your fans? Then revolutionize your merch table with our USB Cassettes! These USB drives are the same shape and size as regular audio cassettes, but with a moveable thumb drive that comes out of the bottom. At 8GB of space you can load it up with over 1,000 MP3s, 1080p video, FLAC files, PDFs, or any other data. We can supply larger drives on custom orders.

Click here to learn more about USB Cassettes

Best of all, you can personalize your USB Cassette with cassette cases, J-cards, pad print, and even full-colour UV flatbed printing. Now you can finally turn your digital release into a physical object for your fans!

USB cassettes with full packaging from Duplication.ca USB cassettes with full packaging from Duplication.ca

Order USB cassettes today

Want to customize your order? Send us an email and we’ll supply a quote!

Our factory direct CD/DVD manufacturing keep your costs low!

Factory direct CD pressing and printing

Factory direct means no third party involvement and no outsourcing. Duplication.ca keeps costs low to make ordering easier for musicians and clients. Check out our awesome CD duplication and replication packages, as well as our DVD manufacturing services for competitive prices with quick turnaround!

Check out this awesome tour of our printing facilities in Scarborough, Ontario!

CD pressing with dozens of packaging options from Duplication.ca
Dual-layer DVD pressing from Duplication.ca

Summer Sale! 15% off everything in the online store until July 21st 2019

We’re on Summer Mode at the Duplication.ca offices! The sun and fresh air has us in such a good mood we thought we’d celebrate with an old fashioned summer sale. Use the coupon code summervacation to save 15% off anything on the online store! Sale ends Sunday July 21st at 11:59 PM EST.

Egg Shell colour cassettes at Duplication.ca

So excited that you don’t know where to begin? How about our hottest sellers, our blank tapes! These cassettes are loaded with normal-bias tape, or chrome tape for the audiophiles who want that extra boost in volume or quality. There are dozens of colours to choose from, including the brand new Egg Shell model pictured above! Blank tapes are perfect for the DIY aficionados who don’t mind spending time manually recording on their living room tape decks.

Red tinted Norelco cassette tape cases from Duplication.ca

Next up is our huge selection of cassette cases! At Duplication.ca you’ll find a wide variety of classic Norelco cases, which come in an assortment of opaque and tinted colours, now including Red Tint. If you’re working on a box set, try our double-Norelco cases or even our fully printed slipcases. DIY-heads can grab blank O-cards to design at home!

Blank CD-Rs and DVD-Rs from Duplication.ca

We don’t just specialize in audio cassettes, Duplication.ca is the place to go for blank media and to find the highest quality CD-R and DVD-R discs on the market. You can find replacement Jewel Casesblank Digipaks, and tons of printed cardboard sleeves and packages for your band’s next release.

Foldover printed 12" jackets on digital and offset at Duplication.ca

Speaking of printing, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide the music community with printed vinyl jackets that are both high quality and won’t break the bank. Check out our 12″ record jackets, printed on full colour CMYK at a whopping 24pt thick using our offset press. We also print innersleeves so you can keep your records in good (and stylish) condition. Not to mention our replacement polysleeves and mailers, perfect for record collectors and resellers.

Don’t forget to use the coupon code summervacation to save 15% on your next order! The sale ends on Sunday July 21st at 11:59 PM EST.

Discount applied before taxes and shipping. Sale code applies to online store purchases only. Cannot be combined with any other discount.

The Duplication.ca Guide to Cassette Box Sets and Double Cassettes

Double cassette cases at Duplication.ca

Do you have an album so big that one cassette alone could not possibly handle it? Double cassette releases are always exciting, but how do you go about packaging them? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

Wet Tuna, released by Baked Tapes

Triple cassette box available from Duplication.ca

Multi-Cassette Box

This sleek design works like a Norelco case with the two cassettes sitting side-by-side. Its longer length makes it size comparable to that of a CD case, making it easy to store and easy on the eyes. An extra large double-sided J-card allows you to go nuts with the artwork, pack in as much detail and information as possible!

View the double cassette boxes on the online store

Our triple cassette boxes are even longer in length but keep the same width. Unlike the double cassette boxes they do not have posts.

Click here for triple cassette boxes

"MTL Tapes" released by La Cohu and packaged in a Triple Cassette Album from Duplication.ca

Cassette Albums

If you’re a fan of the classic audio book packaging style, look no further than our cassette albums. These packages contain a transparent wraparound film for you to slip in a larger trapsheet in lieu of a J-card. We even have albums that hold up to EIGHT CASSETTES, if you can believe it.

View our wide selection of cassette albums here

Disso Vol. One

Double Norelcos

Double Norelcos are exactly as they sound– two Norelcos joined at the hip! They open on both sides “butterfly style,” meaning it facilitates two J-cards. This is perfect for releasing two separate albums that require different artwork in one package.

Click here to order Double Norelcos

If you’re planning a run of 100 units or more, take advantage of our special offer. 100pcs for $60 CAD / $45.50 USD!

Double cassette slipcase by Duplication.ca

Printed Slipcases

Last, but certainly not least, we have our cardboard slipcases. These 15pt boxes can hold up to four cassettes with Norelco cases, which make them ideal for career retrospectives. They’re printed and assembled in-house, so not only do they go under our rigorous quality control, but we pass the manufacturer-direct savings on to you.

Take a look at our Printed Slipcases options

At Duplication.ca, no cassette release is too big or too small for us to handle! Don’t forget that in addition to great packaging and printing solutions, we offer high-quality cassette duplication services so your cassettes sound amazing on any stereo.

DUPLICATION.CA HAS A QUICK 4-WEEK TURNAROUND TIME FOR CASSETTES!

FM Attack - "New World" cassette duplicated at Duplication.ca

Sometimes the hardest part of recording and designing your latest cassette release is the waiting! It’s tough standing by the door, watching the mail carrier walk by your apartment with no packages in hand. At Duplication.ca we do everything we can to get your cassettes shipped as quickly as possible while not compromising the quality of our recording, printing, and packaging. We’re proud to be able to lower our standard turnaround time to an estimated 4 weeks before shipping! The standard shipping cost remains the same: FREE to the United States and Canada!

If you’re about to leave on tour or you’re just too excited to wait, we have a variety of rush options which guarantee that your cassettes will be out the door or ready for pick-up in a matter of days. Choose from 15 business days all the way to our ultra quick 5 business day turnaround.

Hot tip: if you want to ensure your cassettes will be put into production immediately, double check your audio and artwork files and upload them when you place your order! We only begin production once all the files have arrived and are ready for processing.

Click here to place your cassette order and receive your tapes in a matter of weeks!

October 2018 cassette round-up

On a personal note, I love October. I love the crisp autumn weather, I love secluding myself at night and binging on horror movies, and more than anything I love stepping on crunchy leaves while listening to new tapes on my Walkman. Here’s are some personal favourite Duplication.ca jammers from the month of October!

R. Stevie Moore – “Homers” c62

Outsider artist R. Stevie Moore returns with this reissue of his 1973 self-release. If you’ve never done the deep dive of the weird ‘n wild world of RSM this is as good as any place to start!

Andrew Weathers / Blaine Todd – Split c44

A melancholic but surprisingly relaxing split cassette that wavers between post-rock and experimental folk. Fans of Six Organs of Admittance and Jackie-O Motherfucker will love it.

Plastic Cactus – “Moth Eyes” c17

Atmospheric dry desert rock, and like a mirage it moves into psych ‘n surf territory. Full of rad Thee Oh Sees style riffs at 0.6x speed!

Courtney Barnett – “Tell Me How You Really Feel” c44

If you can’t dig Courtney Barnett you can’t dig nothin’. A+ Melbourne slackerdom, and if that doesn’t sell it for you, maybe the Kim Deal backing vocals will.

Appropriate Savagery – “Elegant In Its Brutality” c26
Anasisana – “Sad For The Rest of My Life” c34

Another gorgeous batch by California label Casement Exchange. Both tapes swing between chaos and beauty, must grabs for fans of minimalism. Can’t choose between the two of them, they’re both quintessential October graveyard wandering music.

Thinking of joining the analog cassette realm? Check out our online cassette duplication calculator for an instant quote! FREE STANDARD SHIPPING to the United States and Canada.