A Disc Case Made of Board, Not Plastic
A CD jacket is not a folder. It is a small square sleeve, about the size of a jewel case, that slips over one disc. Because it is board, it weighs less than plastic, ships flat and will not crack in the mail.
That makes custom printed CD jackets a natural fit for album releases, merch tables and promotional mailers. If your disc needs to travel with letter-size papers, a full-size DVD presentation folder with disc slits is the better match.
Board jackets also stack neatly in a shipping carton and take up far less shelf space than hard cases. For short runs of a demo or a limited pressing, that saves room at home and at the venue. Recycled-content stock is available if you want a lighter footprint.
CD Jacket Specs
| Spec | Options |
|---|---|
| Closed size | 4.875 x 4.875 in (124 x 124 mm) |
| Styles | Single pocket, gatefold, four-panel, six-panel |
| Disc capacity | One or two discs |
| Stock | 14 pt or 16 pt C2S, kraft board, recycled-content stock |
| Printing | Full color CMYK, Pantone spot, white ink on kraft |
| Finishes | Gloss or matte laminate, soft-touch, spot UV, foil title |
| Add-ons | Thumb cut, inner sleeve, shrink-wrapping in sets |
| Template | Free die-line for each jacket style |
CD Jacket Styles and Sizes
The single-pocket jacket is the classic. It is one panel folded and glued on two sides, with the disc sliding in from the open edge. A thumb cut on the opening makes the disc easy to pull out.
A gatefold jacket opens like a book, with a pocket on one or both inside panels. It holds two discs or one disc plus a lyric insert. Four-panel and six-panel styles give more room for liner notes, credits and photos.
Most jackets close at 4.875 x 4.875 in (124 x 124 mm), which fits retail CD racks. DVD-size jackets and oversize styles are quoted on request.
How CD Jacket Orders Work
- Choose a jacket style based on disc count and how much text you need.
- Request the free die-line template for that style.
- Lay out cover art, spine text and credits on the template.
- Review your free digital proof panel by panel.
- Receive flat or assembled jackets, ready for your discs.
CD Jacket Printing That Shows Your Artwork
Album art lives or dies on color, so we print full color CMYK with a free proof before the run. Pantone spot colors lock in a logo or brand shade. Printing inside and out puts credits or a track list under the flap.
Matte lamination suits moody photography, while gloss boosts bright, saturated art. Soft-touch lamination feels velvety in the hand. Foil stamping on a band name or title catches light on a shelf.
Spine text matters on gatefold and multi-panel styles, since that is what a buyer reads in a rack. We print the title and artist along the spine when the board is thick enough to show it.
Using a CD Jacket Template
Every jacket style has its own flat layout, with glue flaps and fold lines in set places. Ask for a CD jacket template and we send a die-line at full size for your chosen style. Our artwork guidelines for print-ready files cover bleed, safe zones and resolution.
Keep text at least an eighth of an inch inside fold lines. Extend background art past the trim edge so no white shows after cutting. If your designer is unsure, our free file check catches problems before printing.
Popular Uses for Custom CD Jackets
- Independent album and EP releases
- Merch table bundles at concerts
- Software and driver discs shipped with hardware
- Wedding and event photo or video discs
- Promo mailers for radio and press
- Conference recordings for attendees
Custom CD Jackets: questions we get
What size is a standard CD jacket?
A standard jacket closes at about 4.875 in square, or 124 mm. That holds a 4.7 in disc with a little room to slide it in and out.
Can I print on kraft board for a natural look?
Yes. Kraft gives a raw, earthy finish that suits acoustic and folk releases. White ink under your colors keeps them bright on the brown board.
Do jackets come assembled?
We can supply them folded and glued or flat. Tell us which you need and your quote confirms quantity, turnaround and delivery.
Will the disc scratch inside a board jacket?
Coated and laminated board is smooth on the inside. For extra care, add a thin inner sleeve that the disc slides into first.
Can you make a matching folder for press kits?
Yes. We print custom press kit folders with the same artwork, so a jacket can ship inside a larger branded kit.