Posts Tagged ‘CD Packaging’

What Makes a Great CD Packaging

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

by James Hill

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CD packaging may seem less significant than the actual CD inside it but nevertheless, it still plays a very important role in promoting your album. It is one of the best ways to advertise your music and it could greatly affect album sales. A really eye-grabbing CD packaging can even convince customers to buy the album even if they do not really know the band. Some would buy it merely for the amazing CD packaging and some are somehow persuaded to buy it because they associate good CD packaging to good music. A kick ass CD packaging is highly necessary if you are still new and if you want to have a good impression.

If you are thinking of a CD packaging design of your upcoming album, here is a checklist of what I personally think constitutes a great CD Packaging.

The CD packaging should protect your CD
First and foremost, a CD packaging should be able to perform its basic function. Its primary purpose is to store and protect the CD from scratches, dust, liquids, and other elements that could damage the disc. There are many CD packaging designs nowadays that try too hard to be unique that the functionality is compromised. This should be the first consideration when thinking about a creative concept for your CD packaging. Try to be creative without sacrificing the CD cover’s main function.

The CD packaging should be easy to ship
When planning the design of your CD packaging, always consider how it will be shipped. Choose materials that do not consume too much space and can easily be stacked. This may mean that you choose regular shaped containers over irregular ones. You should also consider the weight of the CD packaging. Try to make sure that the materials for your CD packaging is not too heavy to minimize hassles and additional shipping costs.

CD Package Example

The CD packaging should grab attention
The tough competition in the music retail industry calls for a really eye-catching CD packaging. With the increasing popularity of piracy and the Internet, the CD packaging is one strategy to convince the consumers to buy the actual album. Think out of the box and find creative ways to make your CD packaging standout. There are thousands of ways to do this! You can use a different material like cloth or foils instead of the usual jewel cases. You can use shiny paper, big images, freebies; whatever you think attracts the buyer’s eye.

The CD packaging should reflect the musician’s personality
The design of the CD packaging should somewhat reflect, if not showcase, the musician’s personality and style. If you are a new artist who’s still trying to build your name in the music industry, it is one great way to show your character so the buyers would love to know you more. If you’re band plays psychedelic pop music and you all love neon colors and pop culture, show this quirkiness in your CD packaging.

The CD packaging should be eco-friendly
This is not a must but you would be doing something good to the industry, and to the whole world, by promoting green CD packaging. Imagine if all musicians produce eco-friendly CD packaging, then the world would be a much better place. Musicians influence a lot of people thru their music and style and maybe by producing eco-friendly CD packaging, they could convince others to be more aware of the environment. You can use recycled paper instead of jewel cases, you can use stickers instead of shrink-wraps, and you can use soy-based ink instead of petroleum-based ink. There are tons of ways to produce an eco-friendly CD packaging! The downside of choosing this path is that it could cost a bit higher but it is definitely worth it.


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CD packaging may seem less significant than the actual CD inside it but nevertheless, it still plays a very important role in promoting your album. If you are thinking of a CD packaging design of your upcoming album, here is a checklist of what I personally think constitutes a great CD Packaging.


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CD Packaging: What Popular Musicians Can Do That New Musicians Can’t

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

by James Hill

Styx in Concert

Styx in Concert

We all know the relevance of CD packaging in the retail business and the music industry. It increases album sales, it helps define the musicians’ style and personality, and it has artistic value. A great CD packaging is especially important to rising new artists. They are still trying to squeeze themselves in the music industry and CD packaging is one avenue for their music and their band to get noticed.

If you are a new musician trying to conceptualize an attention-grabbing CD packaging design for your upcoming album, you should bear in mind that although it is good to appreciate the CD packaging designs of popular bands, it is not always wise to work on the same style or template as theirs. They are already popular, thus they have more freedom to experiment and be obscure with their CD packaging designs. You, on the other hand, have to get noticed first. There are no hard CD packaging design rules and I am not suggesting that you surrender to conformity. This is just to give you some small insights in conceptualizing your CD packaging if you are a new artist.

Here are some things that the popular bands can do but the new artists cannot when it comes to the music retail business and the design of the CD packaging:

Popular musicians can be more obscure with the CD Packaging; new artists should be clear with what the album is all about.
The design should also reflect the style and personality of the musicians and the kind of music they make. Madonna and Lady Gaga have the choice to be obscure with their CD packaging designs simply because they are already established musicians. They do not even have to put a picture of their faces in the CD packaging and people would still buy their albums. They do not have to show big and bold fonts of their names or their album names if their faces are already on the cover. The more popular an artist is the more he can get away with being vague with his CD packaging design. New and rising artists, on the other hand, need to be clearer with their names. Popular musician’s name may not be very clear and may not even show up in the CD packaging; new musicians’ name should standout from afar. The design should also say a lot about the musician and the album. Remember, you should make your CD packaging design thinking that no one knows you-that you are introducing yourself to the world for the very first time.

Popular musicians can include more expensive “freebies”, new musicians should not add something that’s more expensive than the album itself.
Freebies are supposed to be 100% free and should not increase the price of the actual album at all. Some popular musicians however include “freebies” but increase the amount of the album by a few dollars. Some very popular bands include collector’s items that are more expensive than the actual album-like t-shirts and toys- and still get plenty of sales. If you are a new and rising artist, adding real freebies (and by that real I mean, 100% free items) could be effective in increasing album sales. The consumer would instantly think that he’s getting more from what he’s paying. But do not include something that is more expensive than a key chain unless you have a major sponsor. Do not include something that would increase the price of your album significantly. Significant= $2 or more.

Popular musicians may or may not include a brief bio or discography inside the CD packaging, new musicians should.

A well-known band may or may not include a long info about them inside the CD packaging because well…they do not find it necessary anymore because most people already know them. It is very likely that they already have big websites and many people are following their every tweet. New artists, on the other hand, should maximize their CD packaging and use it as an avenue for self-promotion. New fans and friends of new fans get curious about you and would love to know you more. Introduce yourself and your music to the whole world. Afterall, you would not be doing this on your 4th or 5th album.

Popular musicians can sell merch, new musicians have to focus on their music first
You become an established musician simply because many people love your music. If many people love your music, you become famous. Only when you’re famous can you sell non-music items and get a good profit from it. One good example of this is the band KISS. Since the internet downloads and piracy are killing the music retail industry, they found a good way to earn using other means. They sell KISS collectibles like lunch boxes, t-shirts, toys, figurines, and many others. You cannot do this if you are still a new band. Who would want a figurine or toy from an anonymous band? Work on your music first before you sell nonmusic items.


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Unified Manufacturing Provides whole package like CD/DVD manufacturing, CD Packaging, designing, printing. For more information about CD Manufacturing contact James Hill.


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