DIY Packaging Ideas

[jakepetsounds]

Hi there. recently, over the past week or so, I've given considerable thought to finally self-releasing an "EP". I've got many friends who have gone the route of paying hundreds or thousands of dollars to have hundreds or thousands of CDs "professionally" pressed, and in most cases the product is hardly something I'd want to spend money on, let alone their asking price.

This will be extremely limited, as in 5 - 10 copies all completely made by myself. I was wondering if you guys had been in a similar boat before - any creative solutions to packaging you'd care to share? I'd like to make something pretty, something the consumer feels is worth their investment. Here's how it's shaping up so far: Tough Canvas outer case screen-printed with the cover artwork. Inside, the cd is held in a DIY folded paper case with artwork drawn right on. Original artwork on the disc as well, along with a small foldout poster of original artwork. The CD would also come with a digital download code to download a 2nd CD filled with my older music from throughout the years.

How does this sound to you guys? Is that something you'd spend 10 bucks on? What are your own experiences with hand-made merchandise and the like? I'd love to kick some ideas around. I also like this emoticon:

[ras.s]

It doesn't sound bad. I've got some doity EPs from friends, one with the cover made from sturdy paper, folded and then stapled from two sides.. Not too pretty really, but then there's a paper on both front and the back, and they are burned from the sides, which makes it kinda cool. I guess coffee stains could be appropriate too.

Here's another idea:


A thing to consider is that the corners are easily twisted when making covers from paper. And being thinner than regular cd covers, they also get lost in the cd shelf.

[whyterabbyt]

Depends on your budget, but I always thought the metal tins available lent themselves to doing something with on a small-run, DIY type basis...

http://www.rivieramultimedia.co.uk/cd-dvd-tins.html

[jakepetsounds]

wow, those square tins are really awesome. thanks man!

don't know if you guys have ever heard of martin tielli (look him up!) but he did a limited edition CD series with 4 releases boxed in tins just like that, and its actually exactly what i had in mind. so cheers for that!

and ras.s, when i said "DIY folded paper case" that was actually the exact same design i had learned hahaha, i think it looks pretty nice! good tip with the cd shelf thing. i could probably get the type of paper i'd need at an art shop, yeah?

thanks for the ideas guys.