A digipak is an alternative to a jewel case packaging for DVDs. It is made of cardboard and is more durable than plastic jewel cases. Digipaks come in various panel configurations and can feature graphic designs. They are considered more environmentally friendly than jewel cases as the cardboard can be recycled. A four panel digipak is a good choice for new, unsigned bands to include a DVD and basic information about the band in an affordable package.

1. DVD Digipack

2. What is a digipak? A digipak is an alternative to jewel box packaging. It is made of cardboard and is popular as it is near enough shatterproof. You can apply graphic display allowing the digipak to look highly artistic and interesting. The digipak is used mainly for musicians and are reasonable priced. It accommodates a booklet usually placed in a slot on one of the panels. You can get a number of panels on a digipak usually from 4-8. The digipak is a registered trademark of AGI media. Originally digipaks were only available in large quantities, however AGI introduced a new product called digipack i-create for the consumer market.

3. Digipaks are considered more environmentally friendly as they are created out of cardboard, which can be recycled. Digipaks can be printed on FSC certified board stock, and printed on waterless printing technology including a completely recyclable tray. They also use much less plastic whilst still protecting the DVD itself. Because digipaks are more environmentally friendly they are usually considered cheaper as they can be made out of recycled content.

4. Examples of Digipak designs CS1020-R CS1015 CS1010 CS1005 CS1000

6. 4 Panel Digipaks: include the DVD, a front and back cover and usually a slot for a booklet 6 Panel Digipaks: can hold more than one DVD/booklet, usually more artistic than a four panel 8 panel Digipaks: usually holds up to three Discs or has more booklets. Extremely artistic and includes lots of information. Usually used for highly popular artists who have a number of albums. Usually used for “greatest hits”.

7. My DVD Digipak I have decided to use a four panel digipak, as my band are unknown and fairly new in terms of music. Using a four panel digipak will allow me to use one booklet with all the information on the band, and one DVD. The front and back covers will include photos and information.

8. Different types of Four Panel Digipaks. This four panel digipak is oversized and allows both trays for to be on the same panel to the left when opened. This allows for more information and photos to be included on the Digipak if the artist had more than one DVD included in the pack. Pack design 1

9. This Digipak includes a tube pocket. The tray is to the right and the tube pocket to the left. This allows the DVD to be on one side and separate from the information booklet. This digipak is interesting and unique as the layout enables the DVD tray and the tube pocket to fold over. Pack design 2

10. This Digipak includes a slit for a booklet. The DVD tray is on the right and the book slit on the left. This also allows for the Digipak to fold over. Pack design 3

11. I have decided to use pack design 3, this is because I like how simplistic is and how it folds up to look like an actual CD case. I also like how neat it appears. The simple four panel design is perfect for an unsigned band because it is cost efficient and gives enough information for people to learn about them, however doesn’t give in depth detail, appearing quite ambiguous so that the audience want to go and watch them and find out more.

12. I quite like the design of this digipack. It is simple and I like the limited choice of colours. This type of design fits in with the genre of my band because the colours link in with the colours used to connote heavy metal. I also like the drawings because they are a quite unique way of indicating what the band is all about. Furthermore I like the way that the titles of the songs have been displayed in a artistic way.

13. Again I like the limited range of colours used, and the predominant red which clearly connotes the sexy theme which is indicated in the title on the CD. I would prefer a more in depth booklet in the side pocket as I feel that information and pictures about the band are necessary in digipak and give the audience another reason to want to pay money for the digipak, especially considering the vast amount of illegal free downloading.

14. I love this digipak, I like how the picture is spread over the disc tray and the other panel, where I would personally have put a side slit in for a booklet. I love the simplistic white background as it gives it a very contemporary look.

15. I like how the side slit for the booklet is artistic and made out of different material to the actual digipak itself. This idea makes it appear like a holiday scrap book which I find intriguing.

16. Michael Jackson Digipak example I like the use of the gold writing. The picture on the front is very artistic and simple. I like the idea of a simplistic black background so that any pictures and writing stand out. I like the black and white photos used. The layout of the digipak is very simplistic and the slit for the booklet is interesting.