An increasingly popular option for direct mail, this package is light, and provides plenty of room for marketing message and graphics. A slit cut pocket is provided here for the insertion of the disc. The one shown here is 6 panels but more panels can be added, with different stocks and coatings.
Postcard-style mailer with DVD prices
Postcard-style mailer with CD prices
Front and back of mailer
Inside of mailer
What is DDP 2.0?
DDP (Disc Description Protocol) is an image of the disc, essentially a “virtual disc”. It can then be burned onto a DVD-R as DATA. The file format is acceptable to replication companies as master for replication. It eliminates the need for a DLT drive. Some of the reasons where exporting to DDP 2.0 files are necessary are DVD-9 titles, CSS, ACP and RipGuard encryption, etc.
Create DDP 2.0 image for DVD-9 (dual-layer DVD) using DVD Studio Pro
As we discussed before, when creating a master for DVD-9 title, sometimes the position of the layer break causes an issue in DVD replication. Creating a DDP 2.0 image can usually solve the problem, here’s the step by step:
1. Setting the layer break point manually
Find the point of the disc that is approximately halfway and the first layer must be larger than second layer
setting layer break on DVD-9
2. Creating the DDP 2.0 image
Bring up the Build and Format window, set the output format as DDP 2.0 and save them as files on the hard drive.
creating DDP 2.0 image using DVD studio pro
3. Burn files as data discs
You should now have a folder containing several folders like the next screenshot: video_ts, audio_ts, Layer 0, and Layer 1. (If you are exporting a DVD-5 project there will only be Layer 0). All you have to do now is burning the files the Layer 0 and Layer 1 folders to DVD-R as DATA, using Toast.
DDP 2.0 export results
The files inside the layers look something like the following:
Sample Layer 0
Sample layer 1
To make sure the content of the DDP 2.0 files are correct, you may want to burn the video_ts and audio_ts folders onto a playable DVD to QC. However these files are not required for replication.
Share→ No CommentsTags:ACP·copy protection·ddp·dual layer DVD·DVD studio pro·dvd-9·macrovision·ripguard
A conversation we have with Brett Ashy, president of the Ashy Agency, an agency for marketing communications companies to the broadcasting and entertainment industries. We asked him about creating a demo reel package to impress prospective clients.
1. How important is the design of packaging of a demo reel?
I think packaging is very important. Your packaging, if done correctly, gives an immediate idea to it’s recipient of your brand and the attributes your brand stands for. It let’s your consumer or potential client know a little bit about who you are as a company and upon sight and touch should evoke a response from the person receiving your reel. While I think a branded presentation, meaning the design of your package and the design of your reel and it’s contents present a cohesive message, in the broadcast design industry, it’s the work on the reel that makes the most difference. However, I’ve known some companies that have such creative and well designed packaging that it provokes the recipient to pop the DVD in to see if they are that creative the entire way through. All in all I believe in well designed cohesive brand packaging that carries over into the work the potential client sees on the reel.
2. What type of packaging works well for your companies? Why?
Well, within the last two years, I’ve asked all my companies to change from plastic jewel cases to digipacks which utilize mostly cardstock and have a plastic tray. We are trying very hard to move away from the use of as much plastic as possible. Also, I’m finding the artwork on the digipacks just look so much better on cardstock than they do showing through a plastic jewel pack.
3. What’s your word of advice to have your reel stand out from the rest?
Find other reels that you feel stand out from the rest. What is it that you feel makes them stand out from the rest. Whatever that is try designing around that quality, while bringing your own ideas, your brand and what it stands for into the design. I’m not advocating copying anyone’s work, I’m more advising to find interesting ideas and making them uniquely your own.
The Ashy Agency is a broadcast and new media design agency that handles sales and marketing of 11 industries highest end motion graphic design, live action and visual effects studios. Began in May 2005 by President Brett Ashy, the Ashy Agency currently represents the design and production talents of BigSmack, Big Star, Eloisa Iturbe, Engine Room, Eyeball, Fresh Paint, Laundry, Monkeyhead, Nailgun, Roger and Spillt. The Ashy Agency can be found at www.ashyagency.com or look up The Ashy Agency on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/The-Ashy-Agency/279680895562?ref=ts.
Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/brymo/2585686355/
You will be surprised how simple it is to pump up the volume on a CD/DVD package, with little or no change to the graphic design. The following options are relatively easy to implement, and will make a good design look great.
1. Stock options: as simple as choosing the right stock can make such a big difference on the final print. Here are some examples of various paper choices:
DVD digipak in woodfree/fiberboard
DVD digipak in woodfree/fiberboard
DVD digipak in extra white Japanese recycled stock
CD insert printed on uncoated speciality paper
2. Coating: coating a paper is a simple way to change the look of the design. For example, matte coating gives a modern and sleek look with the smooth surface; high gloss UV makes the design really ‘pop’ and colors more vibrant; reverse print makes the design look more organic and rustic. , You can enhance the look of the design easily without changing anything on the artwork
difference between AQ and matte
3. Spot UV: here’s another trick that does not require any changing of the artwork. It’s simply printing a glossy coat over a graphic element that you want to highlight. Its subtlety often cause a nice surprise.
The carbon fiber effect is made up of small dots of spot UV
The title on the cover is printed with spot UV
landscape in the back is printed with spot UV
4. Inside spine: If you have this amazing artwork that spans across the inside of a digipak or wallet, then you need to know that generally the inside spine is white and will break up the artwork in half. To remedy this is to print the inside spine as well so the design looks continuous as well on the inside. Read more about our digipak and wallet inside spine options:
DVD digipak with CMYK spine
5. Foil stamping: any graphical elements with foil will shine and pop from afar, but use it sparingly, a little goes a long way. Foil comes in many different colors, with most popular ones are gold and silver.
image on the CD digipak cover is printed with blue foil
logo and title on this CD digipak is printed with silver foil
→ No CommentsTags:coating·digipak·fiberboard·foil stamping·high gloss·inside spine·matte·paper stock·recycled·reverse·spot uv·UV·wallet·woodfree
The cardboard that is used on printing digipaks, wallets and jackets is generally coated on one side. The opposite side is uncoated (without any coating). Printing on the uncoated side makes the print look rough, and organic because color generally does not go on vibrant as printing on the coated side.
The following are some examples:
4 panel wallet in reverse print
4 panel CD digipak in reverse print
Other stock coatings available are matte coating, glossy coating and aqueous coating
ShareHere’s a different mini disc – it’s as big as a regular disc, with the outer area of the disc in clear plastic. Its content capacity is the same as a mini CD or mini DVD. Both the content (silver) and clear areas can be printed. It’s a catchy way to disguise a mini disc as a regular sized disc.
clear disc
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, you may want to print the inside of the spine as well to make the image continuous.
Standard digipak with white spine
There are 2 options we offer for inside spine printing:
1. PMS inside spine: a standard PMS color that match the inside image is used. It is the cheapest option of the two.
DVD digipak with 1 color (black) inside spine
2. CMYK inside spine: part of the image of the inside panels is used to make the inside look continuous. It is the best option for for photographs and illustrations.
DVD digipak with CMYK spine
→ No CommentsTags:CMYK·color·digipak·inside spine·PMS·wallet
Do you miss the days with vinyl albums? Check out this special effect you can get with silkscreening. The ‘groove’ in the vinyl CD is created by silksreening the disc with layers of black ink, therefore, the grooves can be in ANY colors. The cardboard jacket is customized with a hole in the middle imitating the look of vinyl album covers.
Close up of the disc showing the vinyl grooves
custom cardboard jacket just like the old vinyl album covers
Another example of vinyl CD
→ 3 CommentsTags:cd·jacket·sleeve·vinyl
This is a digipak/jewel case/amaray alternative that is great for customers who are looking for a retail packaging but without the extra weight of the plastic. Similar to a digipak or wallet, the disc is secured by a foam dot.
CD dot pak prices
DVD dot pak prices
4 panel DVD dot pak with optional woodfree/fiberboard stock
4 panel CD dot pak
**WARNING: EXPLICIT IMAGES**
This is a slight modification of our standard 4 panel CD wallet. A 6mm spine allows higher visibility when placed on retail shelves. Album title is printed with spot UV over matte stock.
Disc is inserted into left pocket
On disc print, title is printed with spot UV on top of matte ink
