CD Packaging

CD's have been around since the 1980's, and their introduction is often referred to as the moment when music emerged into the digital age.

Although the download/streaming market is starting to take over CD's market share, it is still sold today, and is still a very important part of the music industry.
Because of this, its place in commercial illustration is still valid.

Before the CD format emerged, the dominant format of audio was in the form of vinyl records, which emerged many decades before.

The images below feature some examples of CD artwork, from a variety of different artists, spanning several genres.

http://www.creativeprintpack.com/images/cdpack3.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll307/dicang97/paramore-1-riot-cd-album-art-12660.jpg < image reference at this link.

https://d2g892zuoe3k49.cloudfront.net/4fc06d4bc64dfcba5500277c/198705170_700.jpg < image reference at this link.

What is interesting to see, is traditional vinyl based artwork, altered to match the CD's size.
Some key examples include "The Beatles", "The Rolling Stones", and "The Beach Boys".

http://goodrob13.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/abbey-road-remaster-9.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.collectorsfrenzy.com/gallery/171021270852.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Music/v4/b2/32/47/b2324734-7548-01b7-9cae-360e09bf6769/13UMGIM60671.600x600-75.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://dvp14a235i3p5.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Rolling_Stone_vinyl_box.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://eil.com/images/main/Beach+Boys+-+Surfin'+USA+-+SHM+CD-452448.jpg < image reference at this link.

CD packaging compared to vinyl, is more compact and takes up less space. This means that CD album artwork has a smaller 'canvas' to work with.

CD covers are smaller in dimensions, so take up less space than for example, a shipment of vinyl records. This means that more of the product can be shipped at one time, and if you have your design on it, that means more customers potentially at once. This could be worth noting.

CD cover designs can be printed directly onto a card sleeve, in a similar fashion to vinyl. They can also be inserted into a 'jewel', (plastic), case via a paper slip which protects the CD.

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzlme1tVxA1qbogr4o9_1280.jpg < image reference at this link

http://www.unifiedmediastore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/c/1cd10panel_1.jpg
< image reference at this link.

Like vinyl, CD's include a front and back cover, so this is no different.




Thomas.