CD case poll

[clearerphish]

Ok, my band is getting ready to record an album. When we take on a project, I usually look for aspects that aren't being considered and start working on those. That way, I get to aid process without stepping on toes. We have a pretty clear vision for the album, but not for the packaging. This is our first full length anything and we want it to be really cool, but not so expensive that folks won't pick it up at a show. I do want to make really cool packaging that gives the fan/customer a tangible benefit to having it over mp3's.

Here are the options:

1. Standard Jewel Case:


2. Sleeve:


3. Digipak:


4. Enviro-digipak:


5. Wallet:



PROS/CONS as I see them:
1. Standard jewel case: The obvious option. PROS: Cheap, easy to get anywhere, the industry standard. CONS: break easy, environmentally unfriendly, "old hat".
2. Sleeve: PROS: way cheap. minimalist. still get full artwork. small profile/footprint CONS: not great disc protection, no insert/liner notes options, a little chintzy.
3. Digipak: PROS: a little different than the std jewel, nice matte look/finish, lots of insert options, less enviro unfriendly than the jewel case. CONS: a little more expensive, a little less durable in some ways
4. Enviro-digipak: tray made from 100% recycled bottles or compostable potato starch. rest made from post consumer recycled paper stock. Comes with a PBR and some skinny jeans. PROS: Obv, hippies and hipsters LOVE this one. Better for the environment than your prius. Definitely off the beaten path. Limitless options for liner notes. Contemporary. And I must list this as a pro: it's my favorite option. CONS: same cons as 3 plus most expensive option (which is very little concern. We are not making this album so we can make money, although we will.)
5. Wallet: the sleeper. PROS: mid point as far as price goes. Off the beaten path. Zero plastic, super envovironmentally friendly. CONS: not great disc protection, less durable in the long run,

None of these options, even in a small run, will end up costing us more than $4 total each disc complete, leaving us $6 each disc sold. We're very fortunate in that all our studio time and engineer are pro bono so the only real cost is packaging, giving us more options.

Which one do you like best?

[AutoBat]

6: Digital Download

I don't use CDs anymore.

[back2thefutre]

vinyl

[clearerphish]

digital downloads will be available, and I plan on financing a small run of vinyl myself. But this is about the packaging of the disc. (I rarely use CDs anymore either)

[BassmanAK]

Don't take this the wrong way... PLEASE.
IMHO....
It depends on whether you want to make an environmental statement, or be taken seriously.
Unfortunately, the wrapper can say as much as what is contained within.
If it's the first: #4.
If it's the latter: #1.
Again, my opinion. But ask around.

[clearerphish]

not taking it the wrong way at all - I set this poll up to get opinions, and I appreciate you sharing yours.

[Max]

The standard CD nowadays seems too universal. I've been a fan of digipacs because, IMO, they look more professional and clean.

And I'm always breaking the plastic on the top of CDs

[ByteFrenzy]

I'd prefer the digipack anyday, and if the budget is not an issue, the eco digipack. I hate sleeves, they offer far to little protection. A wallet works if you remove the CD after purchase and either rip it or store it in some multi-cd box, otherwise it's as bad as a sleeve. Jewel boxes will crack but at least will still protect the CD even if cracked, but they won't let you stand out from the crowd.

Why don't they do little paper or plastic inner sleeves with the sleeve? In that way there would be some extra protection for the CD and it would be a lot more like a miniature LP sleeve... so retro it'd be almost cool...

[NLD09]

It's never really mattered to me when i'm buying somebody's CD at a show, so i would look for the most profitable option. I once bought a CD from a group that had simply printed on green paper and folded it around their cds.

[AutoBat]

I used to make all my cd cases origami style: http://www.papercdcase.com/

[JaySwear]

digipack! either eco or otherwise. those things are cool. and definitely stand out on my cd shelf. what more could you want than a cd that not only sounds good, but also stands out on the shelf?

[PT]

6: Digital Download

I don't use CDs anymore.

Me too.

[Big V - AKA "The other guy from Norway"]

digipack! either eco or otherwise. those things are cool. and definitely stand out on my cd shelf. what more could you want than a cd that not only sounds good, but also stands out on the shelf?

6: Digital Download

I don't use CDs anymore.

Me too.

I like both digipacks and downloading music

[mayfly]

We did Jewel cases when there was nothing else available.

The latest record is in a sleeve.  However, if we make it big and I need to reorder in, say, 10,000 batches, I'll be switching to digipack

[line6man]

6: Digital Download

I don't use CDs anymore.

I strongly prefer my music in the form of a CD whenever possible, as opposed to downloads. There are three disadvantages to downloads, versus CDs for me.

1. If your computer crashes or something, you've lost your music and must buy it again.
2. ...Unless you back it up. In which case, you have to burn a CD, so why not just by the CD in the first place.
3. Downloading music means you miss out on all the album art/booklets/etc.

The option to download online could be a choice in addition to a real CD.

FWIW, I like the Digipak or Enviro-Digipak option.

I usually prefer jewel cases, but of course, they break too easily.
I absolutely despise sleeves of any kind, and will move the CD to a jewel case if I come across an album that was packaged in a sleeve.