The standard size for the front cover would be 4.724" x 4.724" and for the tray card would be 5.906" x 4.646". Make sure to check the template of your printer because there may be some differences from brand to brand.
Does the artwork on your CD cover come out cropped, blurry or get rejected by the printer? Bad design is a no-show compared to wrong dimensions. This guide is for printing your cover, including exact sizes, bleed and printing steps, there are no mistakes.
Get precise templates and customize printing in a matter of minutes without having to worry about rejection. Quality CD packaging for retail delivery, delivered quickly and shipped all over the US.
The standard size of a CD Cover is 4.724 x 4.724 inches (120mm x 120mm) for the front booklet panel. The back tray card is 5.906 x 4.646 inches to fit behind the plastic tray of the jewel case. The main reason indie releases are returned for reprint is these numbers being off.
All print files should have 0.125″ bleeds on all sides to ensure that the color will reach the edge of the final trimmed product. The trim line is the end of the cutting and the safe zone ensures that text or logos do not extend to the edge of the cutting. In the absence of any of these three, white borders or cropped art appears.
The minimum requirement for printing is 300 DPI and most images used on web pages are around 72 DPI and will look fuzzy when printed at a larger size. Change your colors to CMYK and always embed your fonts so they don’t have them move during production.
There are various forms of CD cover packaging. Jewel cases use plastic made of a rigid material, a printed booklet and a tray card. A digipak folds the same way as a little book and requires less plastic. Paper wallets or sleeves are cheaper and are suitable for demos, promos and eco-friendly releases.
Depending on the type of shelves and the displays, retailers and distributors may demand a specific cover packaging format for CD packaging. Ensure that you confirm early so it aligns with the needs of bundle customers in the retail or streaming space.
Jewel cases are ideal for retail shelves and provide a classic and collectable look. Digipaks are designed for album releases that seek a luxury unboxing experience. Sleeves and wallets are ideal for bulk giveaways or software distribution, the right CD covers packaging format can save on reprint costs.
Custom CD packaging options will vary based on quantity, paper stock and finish. The price is higher for the short runs (25 to 100 units) and the price drops drastically for orders over 500 units. A few cents of added lamination (matted, foiled or spot gloss) can help increase the appeal of the shelf.
Opting for durable CD cover packaging materials such as cardstock safeguards your release throughout the shipping procedure. Cardstock 14pt or higher is not easily bent and scuffed during transit. Kraft paper is a natural and eco-friendly option for artists aiming to develop a sustainable brand. Gloss-coated stock helps to bring out the colors and matte stock stocks are soothing under store lighting.
According to the RIAA’s Billboard report, CD revenue in the US rose 1% to $541 million in 2024, while approximately 33 million units of CD labels were shipped that year. Despite the rise of streaming, CDs continue to have a place in the hearts of fans to collect, sign and physically hold which helps to keep the demand for CD covers steady.
Most printers prefer the print ready PDF/X-4 file first. If the printer provides design services, native files from Adobe Acrobat DC (AI, PSD or INDD) will work. Before submitting your CD cover file, always check the file to be sure it is embedded with CMYK colors.
Uploading RGB files rather than CMYK files will cause your final colors to be thrown off. Avoiding a bleed results in white edges after cutting. Low-resolution web images lose resolution and make text and logos fuzzy when printed to a large size. These three points are easy to fix BEFORE your CD cover file is sent and therefore will save days of turnaround time.
Vexa Packaging converts your artwork into a print-ready CD cover with proven templates, accurate bleed settings and the best stock choices. No more guesswork and reprint delays like so many independent releases get caught in. Please contact us by email at inquiry@vexapackaging.com for a proof within 1 business day.
Got a question? Take a look at our FAQs about the custom packaging process.
The standard size for the front cover would be 4.724" x 4.724" and for the tray card would be 5.906" x 4.646". Make sure to check the template of your printer because there may be some differences from brand to brand.
Yes, 0.125” bleed for all four edges so that the background colors go all the way up to the edge of the trimmed product. Without doing this, thin white borders will appear along the trimmed edges.
The jewel case that can hold plastic discs as well as a printed booklet and tray card. The digipak has the appearance of a book and is made out of cardboard instead of plastic.
Yes, most printers will take runs from about 25 to 50 units. Small batch runs are more expensive per unit than large batch runs but are suitable for demos, test pressings or small runs.
The majority of orders are delivered in 5-7 business days, and there are some rush production options that can be delivered faster.