Compact Discs which look like black vinyl records are becoming very popular. This guide will show you how to create this effect, which DOCdata UK can screen print onto your newly replicated discs.

We've used QuarkXPress 6 on the Apple Macintosh, but we also accept files from Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand MX or EPS files from other applications. Please do not supply PDFs for onbody artwork.

Please note that DOCdata UK provides this tutorial for information only and cannot offer technical support on it, or any application mentioned. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Images shown are for illustrative purposes only.

Setting up the colours

First, download and use one of our templates from

the Artwork Specification Wizard (accessable from our homepage). For this example, we've used a fully metallised disc (no stacker ring). We need to set up our colours. This will be screen printed using at least 3 spot colours: a base black, a second black and a colour for the label.

For the base black, we can use the standard QuarkXPress black. For the second black, we need to create a new spot colour. Call it "Black- prints 2nd". In order for us to see it on screen, we've actually coloured it green. The label colour is up to you, but we've used PMS Orange 021.

Setting up the document

Create a circle with a 'Black' fill. Make it 118mm x 118mm and centre it within the document. This is our base. We'll add the "label" next.

We've made ours 60mm x 60mm, but yours can be whatever size you like! Centre it within the document.

Setting up the "groove"

Create a circle. Set the fill to 'none' and the keyline to 0.75pt 'Black- print 2nd". Ensure that the trap information is set to "Overprint". This will be printed on top of the black base and will give an embossed effect. Subsequent grooves should be 0.5mm away from each other and reduced in size by 1mm each time. Continue until the circles are close to the 'label'.

Tip: It is a good idea to obtain an actual vinyl record and study how the groove is laid out on it.

Remember to ensure that all of your circles, including the label, are fully centred within the QuarkXPress document.

The label

Add whatever you like to the label. You can use either black as text and/or logos, or add further colours (DOCdata UK can print up to six colours, and so far we've used only three).

And that's it!

Send your QuarkXPress document (with any fonts and linked files required) to us, together with a proof, paper parts artwork and, of course, your master disc and we'll replicate and print your new CD's for you.

Do you want to know how to achieve a particular effect? If so, send us an email using our contact form. Click here