The fondness for old vinyl LPs is partly rooted in the value of their
packaging. The large size of the discs allowed for big, bold artwork to be
portrayed on virtually every available surface of the packaging and sleeve
notes became as treasured as the record itself. This tradition has continued
to a certain extent in the era of DVDs and CDs, with packaging playing a
major part in the sale of certain titles and the artwork remaining of
cultural importance even if many see the shift towards digital downloads
taking a front seat in the future. There is still a lot of value in DVDs and
CDs as gifts and, as such, a lot of care and attention needs to be paid to
the presentation of the packaging in they are distributed. There are a
number of options for this, so here we shall look at just a few.

The most common form of CD and DVD packaging is made entirely from plastic.
The Jewel Case has been a staple of the CD market almost since the
technology was first produced on a large scale. It is certainly an
efficient, cheap way of packaging CDs and DVDs. Usually a slim paper inlay
will provide the front and back cover and a booklet can be added inside at
the discretion of the client. The Jewel Case packaging solution is still
widely used, although the industry is shifting its preferences in order to
attract the consumers to purchasing of music in physical rather than
download formats.

Many CDs and DVDs are now packaged in something called a Digipack. This is
designed to give the disc a unique, premium feel without actually hiking up
the price. Rather than using the all-plastic Jewel Case solution, which can
be found on any number of CDs and DVDs, the Digipack uses a mixture of
glossy card and a thick, well made plastic inlay onto which the DVD or CD is
placed. In this market it is all about the perception of value and so the
consumer will associate the Digipack packaging with a premium product not
just because of its bespoke look and feel that in some ways harks back to
the days of LPs, but also because of its relative rarity in a market which
is dominated by the cheap, mass produced Jewel Case.

Digipacks can come with a tunnel pocket which can be used to house a
booklet. You can choose to use multiple pages in this booklet and the tunnel
pocket solution neatly conceals it when the case is closed, but makes it
easy to access when opened. Adding a booklet to a Digipack CD or DVD case
will automatically increase the perceived value and the consumer will feel
as though they are buying more than just the digital contents of the disc,
with the packaging itself holding value as an object in its own right.
Studies have shown that about three quarters of CD and DVD buyers would
prefer to pick up their new purchase in a Digipack cardboard case than in a
Jewel alternative.

The biggest benefit of Digipacks is that they are far friendlier to the
environment, as statistics show that their production produces just five per
cent of the emissions of the equivalent Jewel Case. Some producers are going
even further and cutting down on Digipack manufacturing emissions to make
them more appealing to the conscience of the consumer without detracting
from their value as a product. Despite the shift towards digital downloads,
the sale of portable DVD
players and CD players are still going strong, which suggests that a
focus on the packaging is going to pay back dividends in the long run.

As Tony Wadsworth put it at the event “I don’t see that there has to be a dichotomy between commercial goals and environmental goals, especially if we take a long term view”. Quite right too, especially when consumers would support …

Publish Date: 06/24/2009 13:51

http://stereosubversion.com/commentary/digipacks-vs-jewel-case-majority-decision-reached-06-24-2009/

Kelsey Heaton talks about digipack design, using  illustrations.

Digipack

The digipack was created as an alternative to the normal jewel box design which was made of plastic more often that not most Cd’s now use the digipack design as it gives the audience a greater graphic display and is more environmental …

Publish Date: 11/21/2009 9:14

http://kelseyheatonsdca2media.blogspot.com/2009/11/digipack.html

A fully-realized composition of rich, haunting atmospheres that swirl amongst a torrent of cinematic and classical elements. Heart-wrenching melodies, epic piano movements, and stunning distorted beatwork combine to create an …

Sven Weisemann – Xine VI – Harbor Lights

For this project me and Philippa have to also desgin a digi-pack, with advert and DVD packaging. Mine and Philippa’s first idea for our DVD packaging is, to have it so that the outside of the DVD looks as if it is a notebook/diary (we …

DVD Packaging Rough Designs

These are some rough designs Amy drew whilst she and I were planning the design for the digipack. The final cover design will be a combination of the two covers shown here, using the approximate back cover of one and a front design …

Making the Digipack

Now one might be thinking, what is the big deal with Digipak? It just seems like its packaging for a CD or a DVD, not a big deal. However, it is a big deal. Why? It is a big deal because Digipak packaging offers more appeal to the CD …

Image via Wikipedia

Because I am producing vinyl sleeves made from card, it would be fitting to keep the cd cases also made out of card to unify the range, but this is also economically friendly, for a record label this would be good because they may not …

Image via Wikipedia

A uniquely printed DVD Digipack, says that this is a superior product; your market is receiving a more substantial, refined and extravagent item, with a higher perceived value.