Getting an independent CD pressed isn't quite as simple as mixing down 12 or 13 good songs, picking out the cover art, and sending it off to a pressing plant. Newcomers to the process can get a project all the way to the pre-press stage before some issues rear their ugly little heads and delay the whole job.

DiskFaktory is a CD pressing company that specializes in helping indie bands do reasonably sized pressings of their recordings; DiskFaktory's Lance Scott says the first step is to submit the music ready for duplication. "If they want to make it go seamlessly make sure you have a master in hand first." Says Scott. His company provides a mastering service to optimize the recording prior to the job, but for bands on a budget, it's better to get it right in the studio.

Fortunately there is plenty of software available to help a band get mastering done right, and it's always helpful to ask for some assistance from a musician who has experience in doing an indie CD printing job. Some advice, and a few well-placed tweaks in your audio, and the project should be "ready for prime time." If the band still isn't sure, the CD pressing plant can help out, for a fee.

"We can offer mastering, when the band brings a master that's not very good, our guys can remaster it for highs mids and lows to make sure it sounds good on cd."

Mastering is all about the ideal sonic balance between frequencies heard on the disc. "Make sure the highs, mids, and lows are even. If its all out of whack, you wont be able to hear it (properly) when it's down on CD. Downloaded music on the internet can get real bad with interference, you get too much bass, or the highs are too high...you want it to be nice and even across the board."

Bands who submit a CD for mastering at the duplication plant will pay an extra fee, but they also lose some time in the process. "The time delay could be a day," said Scott, "It depends on how busy the audio department is."

Another issue that can become a hassle for bands is in the art department. DiskFaktory, for example, has a strict policy on copyrighted materials of any kind, including the cover art. Using images without permission is cause to stop a CD pressing.

"If the art is kicked out based on copyright issues with artwork or content...that can hold (the CD pressing) up. The bands, when they use our site they upload the art to the website, and sometimes it doesn't jibe. Take your own photos, etc. Bands should be very aware of copyright."

One printing issue bands should beware of involves differences in the art as submitted and how it appears off the printing press. During printing colors of a digital image may change just enough to be troublesome with certain kinds of artwork. Some images will come out two or three shades lighter, while other images may have color-shift problems. Request a proof of the artwork before it is mass-produced, otherwise you may be stuck with the results. Sometimes a proof can cost extra, but in most cases it is well worth the expense.

These are just a few of the basic problems bands can face when pressing an indie CD for the first time. One of the best things a band can do is to contact a CD pressing rep and ask specific questions about what to do, and not to do, before paying any money to get the jog started. You will be surprised at the kinds of things that have tripped some bands up, and the pressing plant is keen on getting your job done quickly and hassle-free. After all, a happy band is one that comes back for additional discs.