Timeline of the Digipak

1. Digipak Timeline
Sinead Grace

2. What is a Digipak?
 A digipak is a style of optical disk
packaging. It typically consists of a
book-style paperboard outer binding
and has plastic trays inside to hold the
disk/disks.

3. 2000s
 Digipak cases grew in popularity with
recording artists in the early 2000s as they
were one of the first alternatives to jewel
cases. As there is no alternative name for
this style of packaging, the term ‘digipak’
is often used in a generic way.

4. Jewel Cases
 Jewel case packaging is a compact disk case
which has been used since 1982 – the first
release of a compact disk. It is a three piece
plastic case and usually contains a compact
disk along with liner notes a back card. Due
to the CD jewel case being a standard
design, it is very cheap to manufacture,
costing around £1 per case.

5. Ownership of the Trademark
 The digipak trademark was originally owned by
IMPAC Group, Inc. This was then acquired by
MeadWestvaco in 2000 and given to its AGI Media
division. In 2010, MWV sold AGI Media to Atlas
holdings. Atlas then purchased Shorewood
Packaging and merged this with AGI Media to
create AGI-Shorewood – who own the digipak
trademark today.

6. Features of a Digipak
 Digipak packaging is less resistant to abrasion than
jewel cases and so tends to show signs of wear
quickly. In the past, licensed manufacturers have
recommended coating the digipak in a UV coating
to ensure longevity. Although being more brittle
than jewel cases, digipaks became a popular
alternative due to the unique style which drew
customers in.

7. Examples of Digipaks