You've burned the recordable CDs or DVDs with the right information and printed them to perfection, so the question comes up -- which printable DVD and CD packaging options will provide the best storage and presentation?
There are many solutions out there today to preserve and/or present your recordable CD and recordable DVD:
- CD Jewel Cases
- Plastic CD Cases
- DVD Boxes
- CD Sleeves and CD Mailer Envelopes
- DVD and CD Mailers
- CD Buttons
Let's discuss some of these and how they are used in different environments.
CD Jewel Cases
If you ever bought a CD at the 'record store', you're familiar with CD jewel cases. They continue to be the primary packaging tool used for delivering music CDs to retail customers. Pre-packaged software is also often sold in jewel cases. They provide excellent protection from dust and when used with inserts, protect discs from the elements as well -an important consideration for recordable CDs as sunlight and humidity will wreak havoc on your recordable CDs. CD Jewel cases can also be found in multi disc configurations that house 2, 4 and even 6 CD-R discs in a single CD jewel case.
Let's look at some of the options available in the CD jewel case category.
Traditional Configurations
The single disc full-size CD jewel case is the "original". These units consist of three pieces: the back panel, the cover and the tray insert. Typically, a black tray that holds the disc inside the case snaps into the back panel. This allows a printed back-panel insert to be exposed in the back portion of the case and then the cover seals the disc inside the case. The cover is typically tabbed to hold a paper insert to dress up the front of your jewel case. If you want your CD and DVD data and music discs to look "retail ready", this is the CD packaging you will want to use so it allows you to easily include printed card stock on the front and back of the case itself.
Note: Traditional CD jewel cases can be purchased "unassembled". This is useful if you are using back inserts in significant quantities of cases because you don't have remove the trays before inserting the back panel insert.
Slim Configurations
In order to save space and reduce costs, manufacturers have introduced a series of "slim" CD jewel cases. This is typically achieved by molding the tray insert directly into back panel. This reduces the number of case components to two. Generally speaking the plastic is also thinner in these configurations. This reduces the impact protection capabilities slightly, but it does significantly reduce the storage space requirements versus traditional jewel cases - sometimes by as much as 50%. Plus, you can save as much as 40% when compared to traditional jewel case costs. If you have a desk cluttered with CDs & DVDs, this is an alternative you should look at.
Plastic CD Cases
Often referred to as "clamshells" or "c-shells", these are a more recent disc packaging option. Available in a either square or round shapes, these cases hold a single CD or DVD disc in a clear, soft plastic, polypropylene case. The clear plastic allows any printing on the disc surface to be easily read for organizational purposes. But there is no "spine" or other area to label for easy filing and retrieving.
ThisCD packaging option is useful for mailing discs and also is an ideal solution when you need to take discs with you - no more loose, unprotected discs in your briefcase. They are not, however, a good solution for a retail environment, or even when leaving behind a disk as sales collateral. One nice feature of these molded discs however is that they are available with 3 ring binder holes (only 2 holes per case of course). If you need to include a disc or two with a binder of sales or training materials, the plastic CD case makes an excellent choice!
DVD Boxes
As the name implies, DVD boxes or cases are typically used to house DVDs though they can be used to store recordable CD discs as well. Just as CD jewel cases are the traditional packaging for CDs, DVD boxes are the "traditional" packaging solution for recordble DVDs. They are widely used for retail sales of DVD video because they provide excellent disc protection and easy to implement case identification. You can purchase blank DVD "case inserts" for case labeling that can be printed on your home computer or you can have them commercially printed. You simply slide them into the clear plastic sleeve surrounding the 3 outer edges of the case. This provides for front, side and back labeling capabilities. Using DVD boxes with printed inserts makes organizing and retrieving your recordable DVD discs a snap.
In addition to their labeling benefits, these cases also provide outstanding disc protection. They hold up very well in padded mailers so they are a great packaging selection when mailing your recordable DVD discs. You get protection and a professional look! Do you have a data or video set that spans multiple discs? No problem! DVD cases are available in configurations that will hold as many as 6 discs in a single case. Just be sure to purchase the properly sized DVD case insert if you go the multi-disc case route. Typically, the multi disc cases are thicker requiring a slightly wider insert if you want a professional and neat look to your finished case.
CD Sleeves and Envelopes
This is the lowest cost solution available for protecting your disks. CD sleeves are offered with or without a "window: and are available in traditional paper, paperboard, Tyvec, and vinyl versions.
Paper CD sleeves are a simple, protective, and lightweight solution, taking up considerably less space than CD jewel cases. These sleeves are custom printable, with or without a window to show off the CD/DVD graphics. The paper envelope offers all the advantages and options of the paper CD sleeve with fold-over flap features. The flap can be secured with latex adhesive, peel and seal tape, or a label to provide license agreement protection. These are most commonly used by software companies.
Paperboard offers rigid protection with a low-cost price. Custom printable, the CD sleeve is available with or without windows. A paperboard CD envelope offers the protection of the board sleeve with a clear window to view graphics and an optional sealable flap.
Tyvec, a polyethylene non-abrasive material with a high degree of smoothness, has the added benefit of being water resistant and tough. In addition, Tyvec is static resistant making it less likely to attract and trap dust particles. While Tyvec is the superior sleeve material, it also costs about twice as much as paper based CD sleeve products. There is also a special Tyvek DVD sleeve available since the surface of a DVD is more sensitive and needs to be protected differently than CDs.
Vinyl CD sleeves are usually made from clear 5 gauge polyvinyl, and are available with one or two pockets. The one pocket style is auto insertable, the twp pocket version hold two recordable CDs or one recordable CD and booklet.
Paper, paperboard and Tyvec CD sleeves can be ordered in a variety of colors and as mentioned above, with pre-printed information (i.e., company name, software title, etc.) on the exterior of the sleeve as well. This is a useful, low cost method for providing professional looking disc packaging in larger volume applications.
CD Mailers
Mailers are designed to handle various forms of media using a variety of material and sizes and offer rigid, dependable CD/DVD mailing protection. They are available in 5 ¼" x 5 ¼" to accommodate a CD or a 3 ½" disk. It is also available with a window so you can showcase your disk graphics yet provides a durable mailing option.
There is also a 4 9/16 x 6 9/16" CD mailer that provides a significant reduction in postal costs due to its unique size and lightweight paperboard stock. These are highly recommended when doing bulk-rate or bar code mailings.
CD Buttons
Although "CD buttons" are not necessarily a packaging method they have a wide variety if uses. These clear buttons allow you to fasten CDs, CD-Rs, or DVDs to almost any material. They adhere to paper, SBS board, plastic, cardboard, and even vinyl. If you have a binder of information and want to include a CD, using buttons is your best bet.
