DIGIPAK RESEARCH

What is a Digipak?• They are a type of case for CD’s or DVD’s which were originally

used for special editions of albums or films, but recently have become the preferred way of presenting the product.

• Digipaks are a relatively new type of CD case. They’re made of card and consist of anywhere between 4 and 8 panels, which fold up to create the finished case.

• They are more environmentally friendly and are considered a better alternative to the old ‘jewel case’

• They are somewhat reminiscent of old fashioned vinyl sleeves and- like vinyl sleeves- are more based around the artwork than the old jewel cases.

• They aren’t only used for CD’s- you can get tall digipaks for DVD’s (called DVDigipak)

Features Of A Digipak

• Digipaks have 4 to 8 panels which fold up to make the finished case. A gatefold- a type of fold used in advertising and on vinyl sleeves which, when folded it is the same size as a normal LP cover (12 ½ inch x 12 ½ inch square) which contains artwork for the record, liner notes or song lyrics- gatefold were used predominantly in the Progressive Rock genre but recently other genres have adopted the gatefold because of the shift of focus back on the artwork of a record. They also have a plastic tray or a plastic hub/ “Soft Spot” which actually holds the CD or DVD, and this is a much more eco friendly way of presenting the CD than the 100% plastic jewel case.

Plastic tray and the ‘hub’ that are predominantlyused in digipaks Some of the most famous gatefolds- 4 of these 5

are progressive rock/rock bands. As you can see there is A great emphasis on the artwork