6 panel DVD digipak printed with fluorescent PMS colors

While you are price-shopping for digipaks, you are probably trying to save a buck wherever you can, but should you go with the company offering the cheapest digipaks?
NOT ALL DIGIPAKS ARE CREATED EQUAL. While price is an important factor, there are many other details to consider before you make the decision. Website description and pictures simply do not say half of the story. By considering the following details in a sample will help you make a decision:

1. Thickness of cardstock: CD digipaks essentially replace standard jewel cases and DVD digipaks replace amaray cases, so the cardboard must be sturdy and thick enough to withstand normal wear and tear. The thickness of the paper is especially important in the spine area, where there is only 1 layer of cardboard. Compare the thickness of the cardboard between different samples, and ask for the thickness of the stock used in points (pt). Our standard digipaks are made with 21pt cardboard.

2. Evenness of edges: Digipaks are constructed on a flat piece of cardboard, then it is cut and folded into shape. The trim must be precise and straight or sometimes where the edges are glued, you will see uneven edges, exposing the white side of the cardboard. Check for proper amount of glue in the corners, if they are coming apart you know that down the line the digipaks are not going hold their shape.

Example of digipak tray not glued properly

Example of digipak panels not glued properly

Properly glued digipak tray

Properly glued digipak panels

3. Recyclable vs Recycled paper: all paper is recyclable; when a cardboard product is labeled containing ‘recycled content’, ask for the percentage of post consumer waste content (PCW). Generally regular paper stock including regular copy paper, glossy paper for jewel case, amaray insert, and cardboard stock for jacket, wallet and digipak contain 10-20% post consumer waste. Make sure to find out the amount of post consumer waste content and compare, generally speaking, the more the PCW content the more expensive the stock is.

4. Die cuts and pockets: a die is used to cut, shape the digipak into the right form. If your project requires a special pocket for a booklet , or an unusual size, ask the vendor to make sure they are capable of making a die, and if there will be any extra charge. A manufacturer that is specialized in making custom packaging can basically make any die, any shape and any pocket imaginable.

5. Stock finishes: this should be something that all digipak manufacturers offer. Standard finishes include aqueous (AQ), UV gloss, matte and reverse print (uncoated). It is an easy way to create a different look without making any changes to artwork. Compare the different finishes and decide which ones work the best. Note: matte finish is generally more prone to scratches and finger smudges, while UV gloss will preserve the surface the best.

6. Inside spine printing: on a standard digipak, when it is opened, the inside of the spine is usually white. If you have an image that goes across the panels, the white may break up the art. Check if the digipak manufacturer is able to do the optional inside spine printing with either a PMS color or CMYK.

To get more ideas how your CD digipaks or DVD digipaks can stand out, see our digipak portfolio.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_justified_sinner/2498066986/