Searching for the best CD duplication services that does really kickass CD packaging? It really isn’t that easy but it’s definitely worth it! We all know it’s super hard to stand out from the crowd and having an attention-grabbing CD packaging is definitely the best way to turn heads.
It was so much easier when we were still in high school cause we could just wear a quirky t-shirt or cut our hair a crazy way et voila! All eyes would be on us– from our crush to the scary school principal.
Cut to where we are at now…we’re big boy and girls. Some of us are business owners, published writers or professional musicians. It might seem we’re away from the claws of high school but when you really look at it, it’s still like being in high school except that it’s the biggest high school in the world! It’s noisy, everyone is busy, everyone’s craving attention…and the school is always asking for money! With this kind of noise, you need more than a crazy haircut to be seen and heard. It’s not an easy feat. Big brands and big companies pay bazillions of dollars a year to make sure they stand out from the crowd. Somehow, some way we need to stand out from the crowd. But how?
If you’re making a CD or DVD for your album, project, video, what have you…and you need to release it, you gotta stand out. You gotta make it just a little bit special or else why bother. We are here to make extraordinary things. When you look for CD manufacturing services, make sure you’re hiring a team that knows exactly how to make you and your products stand out.
I know what you’re thinking, you don’t want to spend a lot. We don’t want that either! Listen, you don’t have to shed a single dollar to make your album or product stand out. You can stand out just by choosing the right CD packaging for your bulk CDs! Do something different with it than just the regular CD cases we see all around. You don’t have to go crazy either, just enough uniqueness could go a long way.
Let’s look at some examples of some ways you can package your CD with Custom CD packaging for bulk CDs:
Table of Contents
JEWEL CASES
The OG in the house yo, the classic! This is also something you’d find in all CD duplication services all over the world. This bad boy is the founder, the very first package every created to hold CDs! Let’s give it a round of applause, ladies and gents. It is a wonder why there’s no statue of the jewel case yet since it’s been carrying music for four decades now.
Peter Doodson was the birth father of the CD jewel case and since his invention to this day, 8 BILLION of these cases are selling each year. According to Philips, they named it “jewel” because it’s so perfect!
When the technical development of the Compact Disc was virtually completed in 1981, the packaging and marketing activities were started. And since the CD was a totally different product from the LP, a completely new packaging had to be designed. Product development teams at PolyGram in Germany and the Netherlands worked intensively to find a solution. Glass, wood, plastic and many other materials were tried, but none of them met all the demands. The designers themselves had decided that the ideal packaging should not be much thicker than the CD itself, and it also had to present the consumer with the image of a state-of-the-art product. Price was another important factor, because the packaging had to be affordable. In other words, it was clear that the switch from LP to CD was nothing less than another industrial revolution! We don’t see the CD jewel case as anything truly special but it’s actually interesting how they meticulously designed. Read the full history here.
Why we love the CD jewel case:
- Affordable and light
- Industry’s standard packaging
- Looks legit. It’s exactly the same case that holds your favorite band’s CDs
- The booklet gives you unlimited possibility for artwork— up to 24 pages!
Downside: Since it has plastic, it can break.
Customization options:
- Option between clear (if you want the artwork of the inner tray to be seen) or black tray (cheaper)
- Number of pages of the booklet: from 2 panels to 24 pages!
- Artwork design has unlimited printing options
- You can add freebies and add-ons
When should you choose the jewel case: If you’re a musician, this is STILL the best CD packaging out there. If you’re making something for your company (promo video) or if you are a writer making an audiobook, this isn’t the best option. We suggest you choose any of the ones below.
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CD DIGIPAK
Hands down the most popular of our custom CD packaging. They are taken from old school gatefold LP Jackets infused with the old school CD jewel case. They’re super durable, pretty, and they don’t break. Digipaks became famous in the early 2000s and has been used by a lot of labels. They are usually made with a paperback or card stock outer binding and one or more plastic trays for the CD/ DVD. People love them! CD digipaks were invented by a company in Canada who owned the patent until 2003. It’s pretty modern and an excellent alternative to the CD jewel case if you want to level up just a little bit when it comes to the protection of the discs as well as the artwork. This is currently our most frequently ordered CD packaging. You can put it in your backpack with a thousand other things and not worry it breaking in two.
Why we love the CD Digipak:
- 4 or more panels to be able to display your artwork beautifully
- The artwork looks more stunning and sharp since it’s printed directly on the packaging.
- Has a more expensive look.
- Has UV coating so even if it’s made of cardboard, it can last long without fading or bleaching.
Downside: A little on the pricey side.
Customization options:
- You can have 4 panels, 6 panels or even 8 panels.
- You can have matte or glossy finish.
- You can add freebies and add-ons.
- You can still add a booklet for your artwork and lyrics
When should you choose the jewel case:
If you’re a musician who can afford to spend a few cents more for cool-looking artwork. If you’re paranoid of CDs breaking. This is usually used for CD singles and special edition releases.
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CD SLEEVES
If you’re scrimping a few dollars and if you’re not a musician releasing an album, this is the way to go, baby. It doesn’t get much easier or cheaper than this! The CD sleeve is totally ripped off from the 12-inch single jacket from the 70s. It is also a great CD packaging if you need to insert your CDs in a booklet or a book, or put it in a folder. It’s the “boy next door” of CD packaging, no-frills but has its charm.
Why we love CD Sleeves:
- Affordable and lightweight
- Easy to ship
- Compact
- Easy to insert in books, booklets, folders, welcome kits, etc.
- The artwork looks more stunning and sharp since it’s printed directly on the packaging.
Downside: CDs can get scratched when pulled out two many times and it only has two panels for artwork.
When you should choose the CD Sleeve:
Most CD duplication services recommend this for EPs or if you are on a budget. If you’re not a musician, this is a good option if you bundle your CD in another packaging like a box, a bag, or a book (as in audiobooks, manuals, etc).
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CD WALLET
The CD wallet is just like CD sleeves but with extra panels. That means it has more room for CDs (you can fit one or two more) and that the CDs are more secure since they’re “locked” inside the packaging. It also means it’s more expensive than the CD sleeve.
Why we love the CD Digipak:
- Economical and eco-friendly
- Sleek and compact
- Artwork looks stunning as they’re printed directly on the packaging
- Doesn’t break
Downside: Doesn’t have a tray so CDs might be a little less secure but definitely more secure compared to the CD sleeves.
Customization options:
- You can have 4 panels, 6 panels or even 8 panels.
- You can have matte or glossy finish.
- You can add freebies and add-ons.
- You can still add a booklet for your artwork and lyrics
When should you choose the CD wallet:
Most CD duplication services recommend this for EPs or if you are on a budget. If you’re not a musician, this is a good option if you bundle your CD in another packaging like a box, a bag, or a book (as in audiobooks, manuals, etc) AND you have multiple CDs.
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If you’re going to make CDs, then you better make sure you make the most of the CD packaging since they really can add more oomph. It depends on your project, you gotta find the one that matches it perfectly. But more than anything, our big advice is this: make sure it’s professionally made. Do not DIY! Making CD packaging is an intricate, very meticulous process that you’d be wasting money and time trying to assemble one– or hundreds, unless of course, you’ve worked in a company that does Most CD duplication services in your past life.
It might seem like something you can easily do…but it’s totally not. Get professional CD duplication services. Don’t worry, we can do as few as 50 pieces. You are guaranteed to have professional-quality discs and packaging plus you’ll have many options for customization.
In this competitive world we’re in, in this huge high school campus, we gotta make sure we make really excellent things, and if we can…add a bit of originality to them so we effortlessly stand out from the crowd.
