Mar
10
Simple Ways to Cut Down CD Manufacturing Costs
Filed Under CD Manufacturing, CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | Leave a Comment
With the rising popularity of Internet downloads, youtube, and piracy, CD sales is affected significantly. It is important to save every penny in the CD manufacturing costs in order for your music to thrive in this tough market. There are plenty of ways to do cut down your CD Manufacturing expenses without compromising the quality of your music and the attractiveness of your CD packaging. The trick is to do some research from other musicians, get the help of some people, and to follow the adage “ less is more”.
If you are producing an album for the first time and you do not have a very big budget, here are simple ways for you to cut down CD manufacturing costs.
Make your own CD Packaging design. Instead of hiring a graphic designer for your CD packaging, why don’t you unleash your creative side and make your own album art. Or if you do not have an artistic flair, you may have band members, friends, or relatives who’s really good at CD packaging art and is willing to do it for you free of charge. Do not be ashamed to ask for help from them. Remember, you are still a rising star and you need all the help you can get. Just make sure the person you choose is reliable so you would have less worries and headaches. Do not forget to credit the designer in your album!
Limit the number of pages. You have to decide on what to include inside your CD packaging. If you want to cut-down costs, it would be helpful if you limit the number of pages and only include the most essential information. Is it really necessary to include your bio, your photos, and the song lyrics in your CD packaging? If you are a new band, these add-ons could help you get recognized but always remember that there is Myspace or twitter if you want more promotion.
Do not use clear cases. Aside from the fact that clear cases usually cost a bit higher than regular jewel box cases, using clear cases also makes it necessary for you to print on both sides of the inlay card. This simply means additional paper, additional design, additional printing, and of course additional expenses.
Research on inexpensive CD Manufacturing companies. Our goal is to cut down CD manufacturing cost without compromising quality. It is not wise if you print the CD packaging using your home printer and burn CDs using your computer. The cheap quality of your album may ruin your career before it even started! The best way to do it is by having your album manufactured by a CD Manufacturing company that’s known for it’s good quality and low charge. The best thing you can do is ask other independent musicians for the best deals.
Mar
10
Kick Ass Packaging of the Week: Spinal Tap’s ‘Back From the Dead’
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | Leave a Comment
This awesome packaging by Brian Porizek was nominated in the recent Grammy Awards for Best Packaging alongside Sagmeister’s work for Byrne & Eno and four other nominees. Sagmeister bagged the trophy but I should say this one is almost equally remarkable.
What I love most about this CD packaging is that it involves the buyers in the creative process of assembling this beautiful paper art. When you buy it in the store, it looks like a normal-sized digipack.
But when you open the album, Viola!
It unfolds into a quirky cardboard cutout. Awesome!
The cardboard can then be assembled to form a Spinal Tap stage show diorama that looks like this.
It may look a bit complicated but the 3-step instruction card and an easy-to-follow online instructional video makes it much easier.
First you lay everything flat on the table. Then you fold the flaps around inserts in interlocking tabs until each one fits nicely. Once the stadium is properly set-up, you can pull out the 20-page book, DVD, and CD. This collector’s item looks great in any shelf.
All photos are from frolab
Mar
5
Worst Album Covers
Filed Under DVD Packaging | 1 Comment
Last night, I was running low on album cover ideas so I decided to look for great CD covers online hoping for inspiration to hit me before the night ends. As I was lazily fumbling through websites and google images, I stumbled upon some of the most ridiculous CD covers I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. The kinds that make you say WTF?!*@ in falsetto! I would love to have witnessed how these geniuses brainstormed for their marvelous concepts. I do not know most of these artists, I cannot say if the album covers are meant to be parodies, but I spent a whole hour laughing my brains out so It’s definitely worth sharing. Check em out.
Sigh. I dunno where to start.Maybe correcting the placement of his shadow would make a lot of difference.Or changing his wardrobe. Or his god-like pose…And where the hell are his feet?Sigh.
Hi, nice smile you got there. But could you explain to me again why you had your face plastered in a sailboat postcard?Thank you.
What’s next? Baboons, alligators, or ostriches? I’m worried=(
Hmmm.It’s trying to say something profound. Hmmm. Chick and egg.Hmmm.
Definitely the guys who didn’t get the part of Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Better idea.Burn your graphic designers first.
Holy Moly!
You can tell that they don’t like their music or each other very much
Oh-lala. Moustache. Check!Water splashing on sexy body. Check!Who would not love his life?
I dare you to stare at their faces for more than 5 seconds without laughing
Mar
4
Kick Ass Packaging of the Week: Byrne & Eno’s Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | 1 Comment
If you like Vonnegut Dollhouse’s uber cool CD packaging, then it is without a doubt that you will love this,too. I do, I do, I do a million time over! This limited Sagmeister-designed package of David Byrne and Brian Eno’s Everything That Happens Will Happen Today is just so A-W-E-S-O-M-E! In fact, it has convinced me to start collecting unique CD packaging (and why not since I work in this industry anyway).
The package is a white tin can with a little suburban house on it. When you open the can, you can hear a hammering and an old door creaking. The can contains two grassy-looking CDs, a miniature hardbound book, a small capsule, and a dice. I am suffocated by its awesomeness.
All photos from Creative Review
Sep
2
I absolutely adore the minds behind this clever Six Feet Under Under complete series DVD box set packaging.It is made of hard cardboard and a fake grass on top. This is so simple yet hits directly to the point. That’s what great Ideas usually are. They do not put too much riff-raff because the concept is very solid.
Aug
25
Kick-Ass Packaging of the Week: Vonnegut Dollhouse
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | 1 Comment
I know this album was out two years ago but I just cannot not include it on my Kick-Ass Packaging list! I am a sucker for miniatures so you must have an idea how much I drooled over this very inventive Vonnegut Dollhouse CD packaging by Jeff Harrison of Rethink Communications.
He actually built scale models of a house and photographed each panel. I bet he had lots of fun while doing this! Very well done Jeff!
Aug
1
Forget About Saving The Planet
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging, Industry News | Leave a Comment
Due to the economic meltdown, eco-friendly packaging is off the priority list of many record companies. “Green packaging is way down on my list right now,” says the head of one U.S. independent distributor, adding that there are “bigger problems to worry about.”
“We’re thinking about another kind of green right now,” says Duncan Browne, COO of the Mass.-based Newbury Comics chain when asked why they stopped using eco-friendly packages. “We’re seriously committed to green of the dead president kind.” And he is not alone. Plenty of other independent and small-scale record companies feel the same way.They are all pointing their fingers to the economy. The U.S. album sales continue to fall. According to Nielsen SoundScan, as of the end of April, album sales are down 7 percent from the corresponding year-earlier period.
I am saddened by this fact but I cannot blame them entirely because well…business is business after all. If the sales are not good, then concerns such as saving the planet have to wait. I genuinely understand their side of the coin and I am not trying to convince them to think otherwise. I just hope that a few good men will remain faithful to this cause despite the current challenges of the economy.
Jul
29
Sony Going Green With DVD Packaging
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging, Industry News, Music Retail News | Leave a Comment
It’s wonderful to know that the major record company Sony is trying to make a contribution in saving the planet. The company has pledged to reduce carbon emissions associated with its DVD manufacturing by 2 million pounds in North America by 2010.
According to a press release, all single-disc Sony standard definition DVDs will use paper made from 30 percent post-consumer waste. Previously, the firm used 100 percent virgin paper. Ultra-light discs will contain 20 percent less plastic and will be covered with plastic shrink wrap that is 20 percent lighter.
The packaging, which uses less plastic and more recycled paper, makes its debut in the Blu-ray release of “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.”
Jul
29
Chickenfoot Launched Debut Album with “Heat Sensitive” Cover
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | Leave a Comment
The new supergroup band which comprises Van Halen and Red Hot Chili Peppers Members launched their debut CD with an inventive packaging. The album packaging, when heated up by the simple touch of a hand, will change opacity, revealing hidden images on the cover and hidden song titles on the back cover. The packaging is printed with a new thermal ink technology developed by CTI (www.ctiinks.com). This is a new patented technology that is currently shaking things up in the world of packaging and marketing.
Feb
2
Packaging and Branding: Together Forever
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging, Music Retail News, Vinyl Packaging | Leave a Comment
The Dieline has a comprehensive report on the importance of packaging and design when creating a brand identity for a product. This is the kind of concept anyone in the music and entertainment industry can relate to.
Consumers identify with the brands that match the perceptions of their lifestyles. The role of package designer has expanded from being a researcher, marketer and communicator to that of also being an image maker.
Think of it. Packaging makes products and their brands tangible to consumers. Shoppers can actually pick a product from the shelf, hold it, read the front or back panel, shake it, sniff it, and make a purchase decision. Since packaging is the ultimate touch point after the product itself, shouldn’t it project the brand image in a meaningful way?
There’s no question that digital music is an important factor in the way fans receive entertainment, but that doesn’t mean the physical medium is going anywhere. People like owning things they can see, touch, and store somewhere. For example, it’s no surprise that the vinyl industry–while different today than it was 30 years ago–is still going strong.
As this article shows, a smart way to market is to use physical products as a way to create and enhance a brand image.
