Ancillary Task: CD Digipak

For the introduction of the CD Digipak, we had to research:

• the history of the CD Digipak
• the different forms they can take
• the conventions of a CD Digipak

After researching all these aspects, we then would have to analyse 2 CD Digipak by artists with same genre as our artist. In my case, the genre would be folk-pop as my artist, Lenka is folk-pop.

About the CD Digipak

The CD DigiPak is modern and stylish. It is an alternative to the standard CD Jewel Case. CD Digipaks are a printed card packaging that can hold one or more CDs placed in CD flexitrays which are glued into the digipak.

CD Digipaks give a product an expensive professional look and feel – especially when well designed CD artwork is combined with the use of specialist print finishing.


History of the CD Digipak

IMPAC Group, Inc. originally owned the Digipak trademark. That company was acquired by MeadWestvaco (MWV) in 2000 and folded into its AGI Media division. Following this acquisition, the Digipak name and designs were licensed to manufacturers around the world. MWV sold AGI Media to Atlas Holdings in 2010.

CD Digipaks were originally only seen as limited edition or specialist CD products. When improvements were made in the CD production and CD packaging printing techniques, it meant that the CD packaging is now available at much lower quantities and at much lower prices.

Different forms they can take

The most common CD Digipaks is the 4 panel Digipak which opens like a book. There are also the 6 panel Digipak which are also very popular, giving a larger canvas CD artwork and information about the CD. There are also 8 panel and 10 panel CD Digipaks available.

Here are some example of different CD Digipak templates:

 4 Panel 1 Tray CD DigiPak Template

4 Panel 1 Tray CD DigiPak with Inner Mooncut Pocket Template

 4 Panel 1 Tray CD DigiPak with Outer Walled Pocket Template

  6 Panel 1 Tray CD DigiPak Gatefold Template

6 Panel 1 Tray CD DigiPak Rollfold Template

8 Panel 4 Tray CD DigiPak Rollfold Template

Conventions of a CD Digipak

Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside.

These are the conventions of a CD Digipak:

·    Artist’s name and title of the album displayed on the front cover of the album

·    An image on the front maybe of the band or the band logo or something that relates to the album.

·    The spine of the CD Digipak will include the artist’s name, album title and also the record label.

·    On the back cover, it will have the complete track listing, barcode and also the record label.

·    Digipak’s are often made out of cardboard

·    There might be sometimes a feature CD or bonus content such as an extra CD

·    There also might be an image on the back cover that is similar to the image on the front.

·    Some  images on the back of the album are completely different to the front but relates to the album content

·    Inside the CD Digipak, it usually has different artwork on each panel that relate to the album content or an image of the artist

·    Also inside the CD Digipak, it usually includes an insert where it provides information maybe about the artist and their songs
 It is typical that the outer of the CD Digipak has a matt finish, giving it a professional look to it