If it’s your first time to make artwork for a CD cover or CD packaging, then the best thing to do is to not do it yourself. Hire a legit CD packaging designer like the Dodds Sisters (they’re awesome)! But if you prefer to do it yourself, especially because they really are not so cheap, then at least hire a graphic designer.
However, not all of them are experienced with designing CD packaging. It’s better to read these very useful articles on CD packaging from concept to printing and shipping.
Table of Contents
CONCEPTUALIZATION
It isn’t as easy as finding a good image for your CD artwork, it requires a lot of thought and creativity if you really want your CD packaging to be impressive. It would be a pity to have really great music yet the packaging does not match its greatness. It all starts with the idea…a great concept.
5 Tips on Conceptualizing Your CD Packaging
Six Factors that Make a Packaging Awesome
LAYOUT
You have to choose the right template, the required image size, and all that 100% or else you’ll have to redo everything.
10 Commandments for Laying-out CD Artwork
9 Album Artworks That Know How to Rock Portraits
MATERIAL
There’s no need to use only the CD jewel case (although there are many ways to make them cool). You can use so many materials and printing options to customize your own CD packaging. Check out these articles:
4 Ways to Add Awesomeness to Clear CD Cases
Direct Printing on clear CD jewel case. Proof that minimalist designs are the classiest
Foil Wrap as an Awesome Add-on to Your CD Packaging
Three Materials that Add Oooph to Your CD Packaging
10 Golden Rules for Packaging Design
Three Materials that Add Oooph to Your CD Packaging
4 Cardboard Cases for Your DIY CD Package
9 Albums that Creatively Use Clear Jewel Cases
Die Cutting, Scoring, and Folding
MULTI-DISC SETS
Five CD Packaging Options for Multi-Disc Projects
COST- CUTTING
6 Practical Tips for Designing Album Cover
CD Packaging: How to Spend Less Without Compromising Quality
PRINTING
What is the difference between AQ Finish compared to others?
How to Make Lovely CD Box Sets Without Breaking the Bank
Print Options for Cardboard Packaging ( Digipaks, CD Wallets, Jackets)
Direct Printing on clear CD jewel case
CD Manufacturing: Choosing Colors and Formats- do it right from the start!
DON’TS
CD Packaging Disasters & How to Avoid Them
Album Artwork: Why you shouldn’t let your friend design it for free.
MARKETING YOUR ALBUM PACKAGING
How to Create a Buzz for Your CD Packaging
Your CD Packaging as a Branding Tool
Remember, if you need any help with CD/DVD/vinyl packaging and pressing, we’re here to help you every step of the way!
We here at Unified are obsessed with beautiful CD packaging. We’ve been making creative releases since 2008 and lovely packaging has become an obsession of ours.
We even have a Pinterest page dedicated to all things media packaging. If you want to make a really badass album with cool CD packaging, get a quote or shoot us an email.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
