CD Duplication: What is a Digipak CD
Digipaks are used by bands and record labels all over the world to offer fans a limited-edition product but what actually are they?
So what are Digipaks CD? They are a printed card packaging that is often used for CDs and/or DVDs. The digipak, made from cardboard stock, contains an internal plastic holder that is capable of holding one or more discs.
These discs are held in place with plastic trays (flexitrays), which are glued into the digipak. Typically, the outer packaging is made from custom-printed cardboard – this custom appearance is chosen by the digipak’s manufacturer and can become either the album artwork, or DVD cover.
What Does a Digipak Look Like?
A digipak is pretty much the same form, shape and size as a standard CD Jewel Case. But its outer structure is made from custom-printed cardboard and CDs are held in place by snapping into a plastic tray.
Types of Digipak
The most popular type of Digipak is the 4-panel container. Digipak can also be produced as 6-panel or 8-panel sleeves holding 1, 2, 3 or even 4 discs and potentially an additional booklet.
This design is the preferred choice of major label artists everywhere as it opens up like a book, offering the buyer a richer experience beyond just enjoying the CD.
What to include in a Digipak CD?
- A lyrics booklet – offering an insight into the CD’s recorded songs
- Promotional material – directing the customer to where more relevant material can be found
- Thank you note – some artists have been known to include letters of appreciation to their paying fans
- A song list – a running order of the tracks on the CD
How Much Do Digipak CDs Cost?
Although CD Digipaks offer a modern, stylish method of housing CDs without compromising on professional aesthetics, they do not cost an arm and a leg.
In fact, we can offer you 100 Digipaks CDs for just £289. This is just £24 more than our price for 100 Jewel Case CDs (priced at £265), but you won’t have to worry about cracking your case!
Are There Other Types of CD?
Yes, generally speaking there are two types of CD available:
1. Compact disc-recordable, or CD-R
2. Glassmaster CD
The key difference between the two different types of CD is that CD R is getting burn onto the disc with a laser and glassmaster replicated CD is made out of stamper.
Here’s our article explaining the process in more detail.
What is better, a Digipak CD or a Jewel Case CD?
A CD Jewel Case is a clamshell-like structure which houses a CD. It is made from semi-flexible polypropylene and contains two sections which are held together by a rigid spine; hence, the clamshell appearance.
A printed cover slides into the front and back of the Jewel Case, to advertise what is contained within, and the CD is stored within (typically on the right-hand side).
This is the only space for design in the Jewel Case, unlike the Digipak which, because of the custom card-stock outer-shell, can be completely covered in a design of choice.
CD Jewel Cases actually provide a better safety protection for the compact disc itself. The cardboard used in Digipaks, in dealing with heavy pressure, is much weaker than the semi-flexible polypropylene used in Jewel Cases.
Therefore, although the Digipak’s outer structure will not crack under pressure, it will not provide as thick layer of protection for the compact disc inside.
History of The Digipak
In 1974, a Dutch electronics company by the name of Philips began developing a digital optical audio disk with error correction code. Some 50 years later, these disks are a core part of 21st century life.
Digipak CD packaging consists of an outer shell made from a type of custom cardboard. Within this lies one, or more, plastic trays capable of holding a CD.
When compared with CD Jewel Cases, the first reasonably priced method of storing compact discs, the Digipak’s outer cardboard frame provides much more stability.
For many, a common complaint about the CD Jewel Cases was their fragile nature – even the most careful of CD owners became used to seeing cracks on their CD case.
But, with the cardboard used in Digipak CDs (which can be environmentally friendly cardboard), these cracks are a thing of the past.
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| What are Digipaks | Printed card packaging often used for CDs and DVDs, made from cardboard stock with an internal plastic holder capable of holding one or more discs |
| Digipak appearance | Same form, shape and size as a standard CD Jewel Case, with custom-printed cardboard outer structure and CDs held in place by snapping into a plastic tray |
| Types of Digipak | 4-panel container, 6-panel or 8-panel sleeves holding 1, 2, 3, or 4 discs and potentially an additional booklet |
| Inclusions in a Digipak | Lyrics booklet, promotional material, thank you note, song list |
| Cost of Digipak CDs | 100 Digipaks CDs for £289, only £24 more than the price for 100 Jewel Case CDs |
| Types of CD | Compact disc-recordable (CD-R) and Glassmaster CD |
| Comparison with Jewel Case CDs | Digipak CDs offer a custom design and sturdier outer structure but provide less protection for the compact disc inside |
| History of Digipak | Developed by Philips in 1974 as a digital optical audio disk with error correction code |
Hope that helps!
Thanks,
Rory
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