A mini CD forms the middle ground between a normal-sized CD and a business-card CD. The 185 MB of a mini CD is enough for the usual data storage. It can also be easily distributed. A business card-sized CD can hold up to 50 MB of data. A mini CD is probably a better option if your data exceeds this marginally.

The mini CD has an edge over regular CDs, as it is only 3” in diameter. Also, it delivers like a full CD-ROM and is more cost-effective than printed material. A mini CD also fits into all computer drives and regular stereo CD players. It has almost universal compatibility. A mini CD can provide up to 24 minutes or 210 MB of data, and can be used with standard audio or CD-ROM data file formats. A mini CD holds 5,400 PDF pages, 1,800-7,200 HTML pages, 15 minutes of MPEG Video, 15 minutes of CD-Audio or 170 minutes of MP3 as well as 900 Power Point slides- more than enough for a full multimedia presentation.

Mold changes to the stamper machine are used to make or replicate 3” mini CDs. These add a few pennies to each run. The mini CD-ROM is generally used for direct mailing as well as trade show giveaways. It is utilized also for the distribution of sales catalogs, product brochures or short videos. Therefore, cost-effective CD replication is a must for mini CDs.

For mini CD replication, PMS color-screen-printing can be used. This CD replication also utilizes color process offset printing and pit-art capabilities. CD replication companies also offer attractive mini CD replication services. Apart from standard replication copper or gold targets, real 24K gold targets, white or other color flood coats are also offered. The mini CDs are generally packaged using PVC sleeves or printed-paper sleeves with or without a window.