CD/DVD duplication is a term used to describe short-run or small quantity copying of CD/DVDs. CD/DVD (compact disc) duplication came about in the late 1990s as a way to circumvent high production cost and quantity requirements for CD/DVD replication. CD/DVD duplication is generally done in quantities from 1-500. Any quantity in this range would fall under the short-run classification. CD/DVD duplication offers identical sound quality to a replicated CD/DVD, though there are other limitations.

A similar concept is CD/DVD publishing, in which large quantities of unique discs are produced using CD/DVD duplication technology.

Benefits

• CD/DVD duplication can be used for quantities that would normally be too small for a replication run.
• CD/DVD duplication allows for a lower cost entry into a data or music project.
• CD/DVD duplication generally has a much faster turn around time than CD/DVD replication.

Drawbacks

• CD/DVDs that are duplicated do not have 100% compatibility with all audio CD/DVD players. This limitation is shrinking every day as newer players replace older models.
• Duplicated discs cost more per disc than their replicated counterparts. When a project needs 1000 or more CD/DVDs it is best to replicate.
• Some duplicated discs have a blue/green/black burn side that makes them easily distinguishable from replicated CDs. There are diamond silver CDs that look like a replicated disc.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA