CD packaging alternatives, TapeOp style

[Mark67]

When I finish my next project, I definitely don't want to go the plastic jewel box duplication route if I don't have to. Other avenues, like cardboard digipaks, seem somewhat cost prohibitive, though.

Is there anything you guys have seen that combines indie frugality and creativity to make an aesthetically, visually and/or tactile-ly pleasing artifact of the finished package? Maybe self-printed sleeves or whatnot? Something to keep costs down but not look el cheapo?

[marqueemoon]

There's good info on the "I hate jewel boxes" thread:

http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopi ... 37&start=0

[Mark67]

Thanks so much!

[Mark67]

marqueemoon, how did that Gocco thing work out, by the way?

[marqueemoon]

marqueemoon, how did that Gocco thing work out, by the way?

Still haven't used it yet. I'll post here when I have. I'll probably be doing some flyers for my solo show with it very soon.

[inverseroom]

This never came up on the other thread, but does anyone know where to get inkjet-printable CD sleeves? You know, like tiny record album sleeves, which you could then punch out and fold over and glue? God, that would make my little pathetic rock and roll world complete.

[fear of texas]

if you want TapeOp Messageboard style, first you gotta tell us why you hate jewel boxes. then 5 peeps will tell you that jewel boxes are ok, but only the clear ones. the BLACK jewel boxes apparently rob you while you open them. or leave Hennesey residue everywhere. then some peeps come in to call the bullshit. then everyone hates each other. then we argue about whether indie-rock jewel boxes are any better. then how punk rock jewel boxes suck, even though it's never explained why. all the while, there's 56 different jewel box topics, like if i could buy 10 million different jewel boxes, which ones should i buy? like if i had NO jewel boxes at all. then after we figure that out, everyone talks about obscure jewel boxes that no one else has heard of, but everyone acts like they do anyway. then you'll read how someone should fuckin' goddamn better know how to open a jewel box around me if they are serious, cause if not, they can fuckin go open jewel boxes around someone who is not as serious. then everyone forgot that you just wanted a cool way to package a cd. then i would say to steal all those aol tins you can find, spray paint em up, and be done with it. but then it turns into what exact brand of aol tin is best, and which brand of spray paint is best. then someone would argue mixture of the digital cd in the analog tin is the way to go...and goddammit their word is good as gold cause they work in the real industry. then the thread goes on and on, and you got maybe 3 answers. hope this helped.

oh yeah. heres some basic cheapo cool looking packaging: make a paper sleeve for the cd like a 7" (piece of paper 9.5" by 4.75"...then fold it in half). put the cd in the sleeve, put it in one of those cd plastic baggies (bagsunlimited.com). it'll look like a little 4.5" record.

[djslayerissick]

fear of texas, bravo.

[DeafinONEear]

[cartman]seriously, guys... I'm about to pee my pants.[/cartman]
That was fuggin funny!
I love this place.

[JES]

Fear of Texas -- that was a splendid piece of verbal art.

Best,
--JES

[CDSager]

I don't know how much it costs, but the other day i was browsing some record stores on st marks and I saw a CD that was packaged as a box of ampex tape. I thought that that was brilliant. I also really like the small jewel cases, the really thin ones.


Rock and Roll

[miamidevice]

The Ampex-style CD box was probably Shellac's 1000 Hurts. It is a nice looking record.

One thing you could do is find a pile of old 5" floppy discs, remove the actual disc and use the sleeve to package your CD. they're the perfect size and look pretty effing cool. I've seen a couple of bands do this, and I've always been impressed.

m.

[sashacasa]

here's some cd-r "vinyl"
who knows if they're any good.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... id/101562/

[I'm Painting Again]

that floppy disk idea sounds fresh.

but i still dont get it, they are stiff and shaped like a box.

^from a Hal Hartley film^

we used those "record" cds before seemed to work ok. but i think they are fugly as heck.

[inverseroom]

The Ampex-style CD box was probably Shellac's 1000 Hurts. It is a nice looking record.m.

Ha! I was gonna say that it was Hubcap's "Halogen Sons"--they're a sort of alt-country band from Ithaca, NY, where I live. Tape Op actually reviewed this CD a few issues ago and it has the same packaging gimmick. It's pretty good, actually!