CD Cover Size? (In pixels)

[daedal.]

What's the size when working with CD covers in Pixels?
I was asked to make a cover for a local band and I've got a good concept but I can't seem to find the correct size..

[rYche]

put in 12cm by 12 cm in the dimension box...
and put the DPI as 250/300 if ur looking for print quality...

[daedal.]

Damn, I think I was working at 72dpi...
Heh, thanks. :)

[Baz]

nice, thanks! ive always wanted to know the dimensions for the cd cover too.

[J-Attack]

lo0k @ http://www.cdcovers.cc/

[timin]

i had this AWESOME link that had info about cd cover sizes, cd sizes, back cover sizes with all the bleed info...

i'm looking for it... can't find it.. if i find it, i'll let you know.

[J-Attack]

ohh
OK. DUDE (damn CAp key)
download a cover and oben it in photoshop and lo0k how many pixel the pic has
and in with dpi you will design??
72dpi=srenn
300dpi=normal print (in germany)

[Cone Graff]

:omg: The latest invention

http://www.orbitals.com/self/survey/pin/big/ruler.jpg

[Harp2]

Cone,

What the heck is that long metal thing with numbers on it called? And, more importantly, what does it do? Can you send me a .PDF on how it works or one of the manual? :grin:

Harp!

[daedal.]

Hah hah, I actually did measure it with a ruler but I wanted to be exactly sure on the size. It'd suck if I were off.

(Not to mention that Rulers, as for as I know, don't give you DPI.. I might be wrong though, it's been a while since I've used one.)

[J-Attack]

*lol*
@Cone Graf
funny anser

[timin]

i got the website!

http://www.diskfaktory.com/secure/enter/mf/ArtworkTemplates.htm

hope this isn't too late or anything.. probably is but.. oh well :grin:

[walls.of.alex]

If you're working at 72 ppi, you can still up it to your desired ppi(dpi). Just do to Image>Image Size..and look at the box and just change the Pixels Per Inch(DPI) to whatever. It might take some time for it to fully do it. It took me helluva long time to change 72>300 ppi before..but I'm on a Pentium I 200 Mhz comp..so :P

good luck

[Zeroalias]

I thought I would give it a go but when I try to make the DPI up to 300 it makes the image huge! How can you keep it with in 12cm but still have higher DPI? (Noob question?)

[baki]

I'm a little confused here. I'm also making a cover for a local band, but what does setting the dpi at 300 do? The image is huge. I thought it was supposed to be at 12cm x 12cm like the guy said earlier. How are you going to put that huge image on the cd cover?
Sorry, I'm also a newb, lol.
-sean

[Veritas]

i dont really know, but I dont think it will affect the size when u print. I dont 'THINK' it will. I think when u raise dpi, it just makes the image look bigger.

[Zeroalias]

By George, he's got it! Thanks man, you were right. I was expecting to use a full ink cartridge lol but it worked great! Thanks a load. :)

[baki]

So, when you print it, it's the same size. It only looks big on screen. Does it do this when you save it? Like as a jpg or something, or do you have to save it as psd?

[rYche]

hmmm... well here goes...

12 cm is 12 cm no matter what DPI you work at... DPI stands for Dots per Inch... as in how much of detail will be put into one square inch of paper... if i use 72 DPI then each square inch will have 72 dots of colour... but iof i use 300 DPI then each dot will have 300 dots of colour... obviously 300 dpi will be better...

the screen size obviously becomes very high if u work with 300 DPI instead of 72 because you're using 4.5 times the amount of pixels... which is why 72 DPI is used for screen work... and 300 DPI for printwrk...

a lot of scanners printers etc work even at DPI's as high a 1440 DPI and 2880 DPI i think... that's for extremely hi quality shit i think...

[TERRELL]

Hey,I'm a CD-Cover Designer...I did some for a couple rap groups.I also did some mock covers on my site...I like that Hip-Hop feel of CD-Covers...Peep some of my samples:www.sporadicdesigns.com/sicc1.html

When doing covers.You have to start out at 300dpi.You cant start low at 72dpi (lijke some said) and then go up..It'll never work...Its just like an image...You cant have a small image then drastically enlarge it and have the same quality...

[Harp2]

Anytime you plan to do something for print (especially commercial printing) you want to start no lower that 150 dpi. I use a 300 dpi base because you can always scale down, but never scale up... it'll look like dog crap, unless you want to print a pixelated mosaic mess?!? Some people even do their print work at 600dpi, which is as high as I would go. Also make sure you have the memory/drive space to do file work of this size, as the higher the dpi (image resolution) the big and fatter the file size. Thank god hard drives AND memory are cheap (now), eh?

Harp!

[ENAGEE]

:hi: you can also get some good templates from discmakers, which is company that specializes in manufacturing CD's. they have templates for every possible element of the cover/back/booklet you can think of.

http://www.discmakers.com/music/templates/templist.html

[Koobi]

Originally posted by baki
So, when you print it, it's the same size. It only looks big on screen. Does it do this when you save it? Like as a jpg or something, or do you have to save it as psd?

How do you mean? im not sure i understand but when you save as a jpg your images loose quality coz jpgs are compressed formats.
If you want to maintain your resolution and clarity without ending up at pixel city :).
I suggest using the TIFF format coz it can be viewed on even windows explorer without any special program being intsalled(unlike PSD's) also TIFF's preserve Layers that you create in PS(coz i think the TIFF patent is owned by adobe) so its :thumbs:

Just make sure youre on CMYK mode if its for print by going to Image>Mode>CMYK

And Harp, im one of those people who design images for print at 600dpi :) doesnt hurt to be careful

[mindBomb]

Originally posted by baki
I'm a little confused here. I'm also making a cover for a local band, but what does setting the dpi at 300 do? The image is huge. I thought it was supposed to be at 12cm x 12cm like the guy said earlier. How are you going to put that huge image on the cd cover?
Sorry, I'm also a newb, lol.
-sean

You guys are confusing DPI with Pixel size. you can have a 300 DPI image that is 12cm x 12cm, but it will LOOK huge cause, depending what platform your using, the screen resolution is either 72 ppi(Mac) or 96 ppi(PC). PS makes the image bigger to compensate for this. If you turn on your rulers you willsee that the image is still 12cm x 12cm. (don't forget your bleeds also)

For printwork, you typically want to work at 300 DPI. Your DPI settings should be between 2.0 & 2.5 times the LPI (lines per inch) setting the printer used to RIP the separations out. That number usually falls between 120 and 155 LPI depending on the printer. So working at 300 DPI typically works the best and its a nice round number to keep things standard.

Printing a 72 DPI image RIPed at 155 LPI would look absolutley horrific.

..And once again...Don't forget your bleeds...

[Koobi]

Originally posted by mindBomb
You guys are confusing DPI with Pixel size. you can have a 300 DPI image that is 12cm x 12cm, but it will LOOK huge cause, depending what platform your using, the screen resolution is either 72 ppi(Mac) or 96 ppi(PC). PS makes the image bigger to compensate for this. If you turn on your rulers you willsee that the image is still 12cm x 12cm. (don't forget your bleeds also)

For printwork, you typically want to work at 300 DPI. Your DPI settings should be between 2.0 & 2.5 times the LPI (lines per inch) setting the printer used to RIP the separations out. That number usually falls between 120 and 155 LPI depending on the printer. So working at 300 DPI typically works the best and its a nice round number to keep things standard.

Printing a 72 DPI image RIPed at 155 LPI would look absolutley horrific.

..And once again...Don't forget your bleeds...

excellent detailed advice follow it to the dot!

but for different print work i use different bleeds, like for business cards i use a bleed of around 3-5mm but not the same for CD covers

for those of you who are wondering what a bleed is.....in my own words and according to my understanding:

When things are printed using a press, plates of C, M, Y & K are used (C= Cyan. M= Magenta, Y= Yellow, K=Key colour= Black), so the C is printed using a cyan plate and the magenta colours are used using a magenta plate etc

now since the colours are printed individually using plates, the plates wont always be aligned in the same position so its safer to leave a lil more of the colour BEYOND the outline of the end of the crop marks..otherwise you might end up with a white(or whatever the colour of the paper you print it on is) border instead of a coloured one
i wish i coulkd post a pic to illustrate....
also look up the word "Crop Marks" on google

[mindBomb]

Originally posted by Bane
excellent detailed advice follow it to the dot!

but for different print work i use different bleeds, like for business cards i use a bleed of around 3-5mm but not the same for CD covers

for those of you who are wondering what a bleed is.....in my own words and according to my understanding:

When things are printed using a press, plates of C, M, Y & K are used (C= Cyan. M= Magenta, Y= Yellow, K=Key colour= Black), so the C is printed using a cyan plate and the magenta colours are used using a magenta plate etc

now since the colours are printed individually using plates, the plates wont always be aligned in the same position so its safer to leave a lil more of the colour BEYOND the outline of the end of the crop marks..otherwise you might end up with a white(or whatever the colour of the paper you print it on is) border instead of a coloured one
i wish i coulkd post a pic to illustrate....
also look up the word "Crop Marks" on google

Exacly. The printer needs the image to go beyond the actual size of the finished print. Then the excess is cut off. That way, no white will show up around the border.Each printer has a different recomendation for bleeds. I typically just use 1/8".

It is important to find a printer as/before you are doing the artwork. It's not easy to go back and make it to their specifications. It's always easier to design with their specifications in mind. Then once you find a printer you like, you can keep using them, and always know what they like.

Printers are not scary people (I worked as one for 9 years before I got a professional design job). But some print designers make them out to be scary sometimes. (This is because printing and making separations is not easy when you have artwork done incorrectly for the job) Printers are always willing to help, and tell you exactly how to get things done right. I mean, the better the art is, the less work they have to do to fix it. If you are havng trouble establishing a relation with a printer, It's time to find a new one.

Remember...artwork not only has to look right...It has to be printable. I suggest exporting your art as a non layered TIFF, and dropping it onto a Quark XPress or InDesign template. It's not always nessessary, but it be depending on the printer.

Good luck :hi:

[Koobi]

heh right now im working as a graphic/web designer but i have an opportunity to work as a graphic designer in this huge print company so i can use some of mindbombs tips thanks man :)

im gonna bookmark this

Originally posted by mindBomb
Exacly. The printer needs the image to go beyond the actual size of the finished print. Then the excess is cut off. That way, no white will show up around the border.Each printer has a different recomendation for bleeds. I typically just use 1/8".

i thought it only applied to print presses? well now i know something :)

[mindBomb]

Well, the bleed amount is different for different presses. 1/8" is a bit more than what most printers need, but I've never had one say that it's too much either.

These tips are for getting the job printed via 4 color offset printing. I have never done this through Kinko's or any other digital printer type situation. Their specifications are different I'm sure. Then their is always printing very small runs on a nice inkjet I guess.

Bane, my personal experience at a print shop was not that great. It was not fun having to consistantly mess with peoples art to get it right. Damn stressful in fact at times. Especially when a client gives you RGB art, and they complain about lost color when you convert it to CYMK. Stuff like that was almost an everyday occurance. Just giving my experience. It may be for you. Personally, i'm happy making the RGB images at 100dpi that I get to do now. Though I'm still doing freelance print design.

here are a few freelance CD covers if ya'll are interested:
http://www.mindbombstudios.com/print/jpegs/t12.jpg
http://www.mindbombstudios.com/print/jpegs/t26.jpg
http://www.mindbombstudios.com/print/jpegs/t11.jpg
http://www.mindbombstudios.com/print/jpegs/t27.jpg
http://www.mindbombstudios.com/print/jpegs/t16.jpg
http://www.mindbombstudios.com/print/jpegs/t17.jpg (7" vinyl design)

[RisQ]

just wondering (Great thread btw) what were you using, and how did you print for the actual CD design? Were they silkscreened?

TiA

[mindBomb]

Originally posted by RisQ
just wondering (Great thread btw) what were you using, and how did you print for the actual CD design? Were they silkscreened?

TiA

Edit: Oops sorry. I misunderstood you

Yes, the CD design was screen printed. I create them in PS and drop it inot a Quark template.

The best way to figure it out (and I never deal with these people directly, I leave it up to band managers, and then use their specs) is to contact a CD pressing house. They will send the templates, specs, and then print it all for the band. They take care of all aspects of CD printings, and jewel cases and everything.

Here is a list of a few Pressing joints
http://www.redented.com/default.asp?CategoryNumber=3

&

http://www.indiecentre.com/listings.cfm?CategoryID=5&SubcategoryID=1


I suggest having the band find a place that is good for them pricewise, and then have the band make all contact with them , and get the specs for you. Otherwise, you usually get into $$$ issues with the band that shouldnt even be a concern to you.

[baki]

thanks a lot uys. this should all come in handy for when i make another one of these. i figured it out bane so dont worry... just a little mix up on my part. =P

by the way mindbomb, love your sig! just bought a bc rich warlock with widow headstock from them. : )

[Harp2]

Mindbomb,

I don't think printers are scary people. I do think that several would be, first time freelance print designers don’t always have all the facts going to print. If you're in an agency or large firm that has in house print services, then you usually have plenty of people checking those who check your work as built in back up. Freelance is live, without a net. So, the first time out, or the first time a freelancer gets caught with their proverbial pants down it tends to give printers a bad name for those of us who can’t bring ourselves to be accountable for our mistakes. Whether pompous or just in denial, we then tend to pass these fears and negativity onto our client base. I think this makes printers "scary" to the public and other designers. Printing horror stories around the camp fire. Most the designers fault and most that could have been avoided.

In reality, you only need own your mistake(s) (many printing mistakes are too costly to ignore or to simply forget if you’ve made some of the ones I have in the past.) learn the lesson and move on. The next time your become more proactive in the entire process of the printing aspect of the project and working with the printer communicating what they need from you as far as formatting and what you need as far as output etc. When in print design in the 80s and early 90s, I worked with only a handful of printers and found them all to be good people. They all knew their profession top to bottom because they know mistakes can get expensive quickly, but they were always considerably reasonable people. If fact, they are one of the best places I found for bartering design work for printing. This Symbiotic relationship is win-win for the designer, as you get your project printed and do design work in trade, for the printer, which gets printed as well which I’d think you could at least get a proof of for your portfolio. (unless you sold the rights) I always tried to make sure to put a bit more time in on bartered designs because:

1.) You're (almost) guaranteed to get a print of your design for "free" (They are going to print it regardless, why not get at least a decent proof of it for your portfolio?).

2.) You only want you're best in your portfolio, so if you can get it printed for free.. all the better!

Many small to medium size printers did barters for me many times in the 80s and 90s when I was more into print design. I'm not sure of the current climate for this type of exchange of services, but if never hurts to ask. Especially if your printer compliments you on your work. They have opened the door… all you need do is step over the threshold.

Mindbomb & Bane (and others) I have to say I've enjoyed this thread. Mindbomb and Bane... thanks for towing the line and hashing out the details.

Harp!

[aenigma]

for the actual cd, i know it's 2mm bleed, but for the case i generally use 4mm bleed. just my little addition :)

[mindBomb]

Originally posted by aenigma
for the actual cd, i know it's 2mm bleed, but for the case i generally use 4mm bleed. just my little addition :)

Yeah thats pretty much consistant with what I said earlier. 1/8" = 3.175mm. Pretty much average.

Curious...Did your printer give a different spec for the CD and insert? or is that just what you do? Just wondering.

Originally posted by Harp
!
...
Many small to medium size printers did barters for me many times in the 80s and 90s when I was more into print design. I'm not sure of the current climate for this type of exchange of services, but if never hurts to ask. Especially if your printer compliments you on your work. They have opened the door? all you need do is step over the threshold.
...
Harp!

Lately, its been hard to barter for printing. The guy I used to barter with, now does his own art. (the "i have a computer therefor I'm a designer" mentality) Many printers seem to be doing about the same. if your areas are anything like my town, i'd expect to pay.

:doh:

[RisQ]

ThanX mindBomb, great linX.

Also, very nice work on your CD covers.

[McJay]

If your a beginner at print jobs and such I recommend you to find the smallest near printer you can find cuz they're more dependable of every customer and you can get easy tips and tricks from them because they really want to please you. You can learn lot from them and normally get the best result because they really tell you point by point what they need and what you'll have to do. This is my view to this subject.

[Harp2]

Mindbomb said<< Lately, its been hard to barter for printing. The guy I used to barter with, now does his own art. (the "i have a computer therefor I'm a designer" mentality) Many printers seem to be doing about the same. if your areas are anything like my town, i'd expect to pay.

Yes, I'm familiar with that mentality. It was just in it's infancy when I was migrating away from print work. It's almost always been a ideology in web design and now programming in the sense of "little Jane/Jonny down the street knows that HTML stuff, I'll get them to do the site for free." I have a sign over my desk, as many designers do... "FAST, CHEAP, GOOD... pick any TWO!" Many people are (still) playing fast and cheap with web design and now even programming. One trip to e-Lance.com or Smarterwork.com and you'll see many site designs built from one "vendor" using one template over and over. Then, since the kids (not young adults) doing them are living in mom and dad's basement, they can charge $100 a pop (under cutting everyone)since they don't have any real bills to pay and mom/dad footing the monthly membership fee(s). Much to their credit, as I'd be doing a similar thing in that situation, but I'd hope to have at least an iota of design sense, which many of these people don't seem to have. Just a handfull of "effects" and bookmarked tutorials. It's just churn n' burn some crap out. No wonder why people and companies continue to look at marketing and design and a "necessary evil". LOL... Rant over.

Harp!

[Seifer]

damn im tryin to design a cover right now dis helped thnks yall

[halftone]

http://www.amtechdisc.com/printspecs/1000.htm