Yes, the CD packaging is meant to protect the disc but it has a bigger role. It can be utilized to create a brand for your band. It can also be used as a great marketing tool. If you have a really creative CD case, people will have something to talk about aside from your music. People love novelty items and despite what the statistics say about the death of the physical format, people still buy good (and good-looking) CDs.
If you’re designing the CD package for your next album, here are the basic things you should keep in mind:
Weight of your CD packaging. Most of your fans are probably going to buy your album online so spare them big shipping fees by choosing the right materials for your CD packaging. Why use a tin box when you can just use a cardboard box?
Size of your CD packaging. As much as we don’t want to limit your creativity in your CD packaging design, size is a very important factor in CD packaging especially if you’re planning to let record stores sell them for you. You should also stay away from designing boxes with irregular shapes. Consider shipping and storage always.
Visibility of essential information. Make sure that your website address and other important information are easy to find in your CD artwork. It shouldn’t be like a big labyrinth because people don’t want to have a hard time.
Bar code should be easy to find. Your album needs a bar code because the retailers who will be selling your CD for you require it. It’s the way a retail sale is identified, inventory levels are tracked, and sales are credited. Make sure it’s very visible. Read all about barcodes here.
And the most essential requirement of designing a CD package is lots of creativity. If you’re planning to wow them with your CD packaging, make sure your design is noteworthy. Go all the way. Give it your best shot.
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.
