Posts Tagged ‘compact disc’

Types of CD Packaging

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

cd case1 200x300 Types of CD Packaging

The compact disc, or CD as we call it, was introduced in 1982. This new technology allowed us to go from analog to digital recording capabilities. CD’s offer a much higher sound quality and storage capacity. They are also more durable and less susceptible to damage compared to cassette tapes and vinyl records. Although CD’s are becoming a less popular means of listening to music since places like iTunes exist, CDs are used for a variety of other things which means they still need secure packaging.

We are most familiar with the standard jewel case, but there are actually many different types of CD packaging. Below is an overview of the types of CD packaging:

Jewel case: This is the most popular and commonly used form of CD packaging. These cases are fitted with a molded, semi-rigid plastic insert that features a center hub to secure the CD and hold it in place. The case closes with a hinged door that is snapped into place. The cover of jewel cases have a slot for holding a booklet or artwork. The back is designed to hold a lining of artwork.

Slimline case: This type of CD case is half as thick as a standard jewel case. The front is similar, allowing for a booklet or artwork to be inserted. The back is a one-piece plastic tray. These cases are smaller and easier to ship.

Slim Double Case: This cases is basically like a standard jewel case, with the exception of the CD tray design. The CD tray is a slim double case and hinged near the spine. The way it is molded can hold a CD on each side.

Chubby CD Jewel Case: This case, also called the fatty case, is a way to hold multiple discs in one case. It has two clear sides to hold CD trays and each side is connected to a center section that may be molded to hold one or two additional CDs.

Digipak: This type is made of cardboard with a plastic molded tray attached to it. The cardboard case allows for screen printing and the interior sleeve has a place for a booklet to be inserted. Some digipaks have gatefold flaps that fold over to cover the CD from both sides.

FLPpak: This is a type of digipak but with added protection. A molded tray is attached to the cardboard backing. The bottom, top, and opening is protected with hard plastic. The opening edge has a hard plastic tab that is hinged to the back and snaps in place when closed.

Clamshell Cases: These cases are shaped just as their name, like a clamshell. They are a great way to protect CDs. They hold CDs snugly and keep them safe against scratches and damage.

Paper Sleeve: These sleeves have a clear plastic window and are the easiest as well as cheapest CD packaging. This type of CD packaging is commonly used for promotional and demo discs.

So there won’t be a test on these different types of CD packaging. But it is interesting to know there are more options than the standard jewel case.

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Katy Perry Puts Cotton Candy Into CD Packaging

Monday, September 6th, 2010

katy perry teenage dream album cover 300x300 Katy Perry Puts Cotton Candy Into CD Packaging

The music industry has been in a transitional phase for a handful of years. Digital sales continue to grow at a steady pace while CD sales continue to decline. Artists continue to fight the transition because buying digital albums means consumers are paying less and less attention to the artwork and digital mp3s do not sound as good as CDs. Thus the compromise of art and quality.

Packaging has come to the forefront in the music industry as many artists and record labels are trying to find innovative ways to convince consumers that they’re missing out when buying digital.

The example of Katy Perry’s recently released album “Teenage Dream” takes music and media packaging to the next level. After removing the shrink wrap from the album, the sweet scent of cotton candy is exuded from the packaging. After weeks and weeks of testing, the pressing plant was able to apply the scent into the printing varnish of the CD booklet. Not sure how consumers benefit from something like this unless maybe you’d like it to act as an air freshener in your car?

Regardless, this is a unique way of enticing your fans to pick up a physical copy of your disc rather than a digital copy from iTunes. It will be interesting to see what other ideas surface in an attempt to salvage the ultimate fate of CDs…..time is running out.

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Happy Birthday CD!

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Yesterday marked the 30th birthday of the Compact happy birthday cd 30 Happy Birthday CD!Disc. On March 8th, 1979, Royal Philips Electronics exhibited a prototype of what we now know as the CD. Since then, over 240 billion CDs have been sold. The introduction of the CD also paved the way for videogame discs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs.

To celebrate this historic landmark, IEEE, the world’s leading professional association for the advancement of technology, presented Philips with the IEEE Milestone Award for their role in the development of the CD.

The CD was truly a revolutionary idea. Not only are CDs much smaller than their predecessor, the cassette tape, they are more convenient and have a much higher quality happy birthday cd Happy Birthday CD!playback. They completely transformed the way audio, video, and computing was done.

Although some believe that CDs are being pushed out of the way for digital files and mp3s, CDs have brought us a long way and aren’t disappearing yet. Many prefer having a physical disc, rather than storing everything on the computer. And don’t forget about videogames, DVDs, and the new Blu-Ray format. The world is not letting go of discs anytime soon. So to this we say, “Happy Birthday CD!”

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