CD / DVD Packaging
Create and print your sweet-sounding designs on compact disc. Layout inserts, sleeves, booklets, and labels for CDs and DVDs. Printing specifications listed here may be for specific printers so always check with your own service provider, using these links for an overview of the CD and DVD packaging process.
Dissecting a CD for Design Sake
The individual parts of a compact disc provide unique graphic design challenges and opportunities for desktop publishers and designers. In this article we dissect a compact disc and analyze its manufactured anatomy, explaining how the different parts will affect your disc design. Guest article by Eric Fritz.
The individual parts of a compact disc provide unique graphic design challenges and opportunities for desktop publishers and designers. In this article we dissect a compact disc and analyze its manufactured anatomy, explaining how the different parts will affect your disc design. Guest article by Eric Fritz.
Printing on Compact Disc
Learn how pictures are printed on a CD and the limitations of this type of design and printing.
Learn how pictures are printed on a CD and the limitations of this type of design and printing.
CoverTalk - CD Design Resources Blog
Blog discusses album covers, software, and cd design tips.
Blog discusses album covers, software, and cd design tips.
Barcodes/Top Spine Label
The basics of barcodes for your CD cases, from CDMan.
The basics of barcodes for your CD cases, from CDMan.
CD Design Critiques
Marvin's Corner critiques of various CD designs.
Marvin's Corner critiques of various CD designs.
CD Design Tutorials at Marvin's Corner
I've linked to a few specific tutorials but here you'll find the entire start-to-finish course on designing and printing CDs and CD packaging from Marvin Humphrey.
I've linked to a few specific tutorials but here you'll find the entire start-to-finish course on designing and printing CDs and CD packaging from Marvin Humphrey.
CD Disc Designing
This tutorial from CDMan covers dot gain, line weights, cmyk color shifts, moire, and more.
This tutorial from CDMan covers dot gain, line weights, cmyk color shifts, moire, and more.
CD Packaging
In this article Carol Wright talks to the graphic designer, label manager, musician, lyricist and anyone else who has a say in the graphic design and typography of the CD packaging, advertising, or other printed matter.
In this article Carol Wright talks to the graphic designer, label manager, musician, lyricist and anyone else who has a say in the graphic design and typography of the CD packaging, advertising, or other printed matter.
CD Schematics
How many ways can you package a CD? Professional Image shows off some of the hundreds of diecuts for CD packages.
How many ways can you package a CD? Professional Image shows off some of the hundreds of diecuts for CD packages.
CD Templates
CDMan Disc Manufacturing templates and tips on working with them.
CDMan Disc Manufacturing templates and tips on working with them.
CMYK Process Printing
For those doing multimedia packaging, how to make many colors from just four, explained in Printing 101 at Marvin's Corner.
For those doing multimedia packaging, how to make many colors from just four, explained in Printing 101 at Marvin's Corner.
Gang Run Printing
Printing 101 at Marvin's Corner tells how "grouping several jobs on a single press sheet makes printing affordable."
Printing 101 at Marvin's Corner tells how "grouping several jobs on a single press sheet makes printing affordable."
Made in Canada
Will your CD need to be labeled "Made in Canada?" CDMan explains the rules.
Will your CD need to be labeled "Made in Canada?" CDMan explains the rules.
Manufacturing Process
Before the label goes on, here's a brief look at how a compact disc is manufactured.
Before the label goes on, here's a brief look at how a compact disc is manufactured.
Mini-CD Schematics
A variety of designs for business-card and mini-CD packages.
A variety of designs for business-card and mini-CD packages.
Music CDs
These packaging designs by Daniel Will-Harris are mostly CDs and CD covers (with a few other items thrown in).
These packaging designs by Daniel Will-Harris are mostly CDs and CD covers (with a few other items thrown in).
Offset Lithography
A look at this common printing technology used for much printing on paper. This is how most of your sleeves and CD booklets would be printed.
A look at this common printing technology used for much printing on paper. This is how most of your sleeves and CD booklets would be printed.
Paper Printing Basics
CDMan illustrates the paper inserts used in CD jewel cases and discusses color and grayscale printing options.
CDMan illustrates the paper inserts used in CD jewel cases and discusses color and grayscale printing options.
Prepress Problems
Mr. Toad's list of commonly encountered problems with files from missing graphics to misused inks.
Mr. Toad's list of commonly encountered problems with files from missing graphics to misused inks.
Rich Black vs. Plain Black
In printing, not all black inks are created equal. Marvin's Corner explains the differences.
In printing, not all black inks are created equal. Marvin's Corner explains the differences.
Screen Printing
Marvin's Corner explains this process. One common application is for printing on CD discs.
Marvin's Corner explains this process. One common application is for printing on CD discs.
Strategies for Effective Disc Design
Marvin's Corner at Mr. Toads covers everything you need to know to design and print on a CD. Color matching, printing on reflective surfaces, and limitations of screen printing are some of the topics covered.
Marvin's Corner at Mr. Toads covers everything you need to know to design and print on a CD. Color matching, printing on reflective surfaces, and limitations of screen printing are some of the topics covered.
Tray Cards
CDMan shows the measurements for placing the rosette and aligning your artwork if you're using clear trays.
CDMan shows the measurements for placing the rosette and aligning your artwork if you're using clear trays.