When you receive a quote for a CD duplication package, you’re going to notice these numbers describing the printed insert: 4/4, 4/1, or in some cases, 4/0.
These numbers refer to the color print on each side of your paper insert. When an insert is printed four over one (4/1), the four means full color and the one means black and white. A 4/1 insert is full color on one side with black and white printing on the other side.
Justin Kristal put together a video describing some different packaging options for a CD replication project:
Jewel Case with 4 Panel Insert - This is a pretty standard packaging option for CD albums. You get a full sized jewel case with 4 panels of print on your insert. Plus, you also have a tray card that can be printed on both sides. This gives you 6 panels of print space total. You can let your graphic designer go wild with their creativity and still have plenty of room for your credits, track listings, and even lyrics.
4 Panel Digipak - This is a popular choice these days for independent musicians. The digipak is made of cardboard stock that is printed in full color. The cardboard is then folded together to make a sturdy case. Finally, a plastic tray is glued inside to hold the CD or DVD in place. If you opt for a clear case, you’ll have 4 panels of print space. But if you opt for a colored case, you’ll have just 3 panels since the tray will be glued over the top of one.
Slim Jewel Case with 2 Panel Insert - This is similar to the jewel case, but it has one key difference: the slim jewel case has no room for a tray card. This makes it only half as thick as a standard jewel case. Slim cases are compact, lightweight, and great for protecting your disc during distribution. However, because there is no spine on these cases, they aren’t ideal for storage and organization.
If you are looking at COPYCATS Media quote for a CD duplication package, it can contain a lot of unfamiliar terminology. For example, your quote may include an item description like this:
CD Duplication Package - Duplicated CDRs with 1 color thermal imprint, 4 Panel Insert 4/1, Traycard 4/1, Jewel Case, Assembly, Poly-Wrap
If this is your first experience with ordering a CD duplication package, you may be quite confused by this description. To help you out, we’re going to be breaking down these descriptions and informing you what each term means. Today we’ll start with the panels.
Writing this all out would take too long and end being even more confusing, so Chris Brummund and Ricky Coles made a short video clip to explain it all. Check it out!
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