CD/DVD labels

Product guides, CD, DVD, Labels, Template preparation, Tutorials

November 6th, 2008

CD’s and DVD’s are the most widely used data containers. Appart from audio, video, software, games etc., a CD/DVD can even be used as a business card.

View more CD/DVD cover examples at:

CD/DVD label designs at beacondigitalvideo.com
Custom label designs at myownlabels.com
Collection of DVD movie labels at dvdcoversfuzion.com
More CD/DVD labels at flickr.com
Cool CD/DVD labels at deviantart.com

Things to consider:

Size – CDs and DVDs come in internationaly standardized sizes.
Color space – Use CMYK
Bleed – Keep your artwork within the safe area.
Image quality – Image placeholders should have 300 DPI of resolution.
Font size – The smallest type should not be smaller than 7pt.

Size

CDs and DVDs have standard sizes, the only variations are the custom shaped/cut CD/DVDs like the ones used as business cards.

Standard CD/DVD disc sizes
Disc Type	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (in)	Free template file
Standard CD/DVD or Blu-ray	120 (diameter) 118 print area (-22 center area)	4,724 (diameter) 4,646 print area (-0,866 center area)	CDR	PDF
Mini CD/DVD or Blu-ray	80 (diameter) 78 print area (-22 center area)	3,15 (diameter) 3,071 print area (-0,866 center area)	CDR	PDF
CD/DVD business card	85 x 60 (83 x 58 print area)	3,346 x 2,362 (3,268 x 2,283 print area)	CDR	PDF
Hockey rink CD/DVD business card	80 x 63 (78 x 61 print area)	3,15 x 2,48 (3,071 x 2,402 print area)	CDR	PDF
Credit card sized	85,60 × 53,98 (83,6 x 51,98 print area)	3,370 × 2,125 (3,291 x 2,046 print area)	CDR	PDF

If you’re creating a business card CD/DVD, check out the business card guide for more usefull information.

Note. There are many companies that give their customers the option of choosing their own custom shaped CD/DVDs.

Professional CD/DVD label printers can print any image on the disc but, to achieve best quality, try to avoid gradients, shadows or photos and use vectorized graphics with sharp edges. This gives the printer the option to use the screen printing method which will result in a highest quality print.

In order for the colors on the final printed product to look like the colors you chose on your PC display, you should work in 4 color CMYK mode.

Note. Since the CD/DVD label printing process is different than the paper printing methods used for the CD/DVD cover and booklet printing, the colors may sometimes be slightly different.

Bleed area

The CD/DVD label printers can print as close as 1mm to the outter edge of the disc. Ex. If the physical size of the disc is 120mm in diameter, the maximum print area is 118mm in diameter. The inner edge diameter, which is the middle hole on every disc, should be exactly:

22mm – for maximum print area (used for all disc types and prefered for mini and custom shaped discs)
36mm – which leaves the center plastic ring arround the disc’s middle hole transparent.

Note. Use one of the templates from the upper table and be sure to keep your artwork within the safe area.