CD cover layout templates?

[dlmorley]

Hi all
No idea where to post this.
I am doing a CD cover for my next release. I'm doing it myself as this is a small run just to clear my DATs of older tracks that I still consider worthy, BUT no budget for artwork.
I have Quark Express and was wondering if there were any decent templates out there so I can simply do the artwork without worrying about dimensions and format etc but just put my images and text in existing templates. Front cover, booklet and inner would be good!
Also, if poss in metric as that is how my brain works ;-)

Any pointers would be great
Thx
David

[joelpatterson]

Not sure if this helps or hurts, but I do my CD artwork layout in Photoshop, and I've come up with *simple* templates on my own.

The "booklet" (and additional pages, if you want them) are roughly 9.5 inches by 4.75 inches, folded in half. (224.5 mm x 111.4 mm? Don't quote me on that.) The tray card (backside, and under-the-CD side) are just under 6 inches by 4.65 inches. (115.3 x 111.2 mm ???)

I can print these out on 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper, so it works for me. If you have a scanner, you can scan *sample* CD artwork, and create a template by drawing in borders.

You don't want some namby-pamby pre-made templates!

Or, if you do, you could go to somewhere like Oasis and download their pre-fab templates. I think they are Quark-ified... again, quotation might be problematic, here.

[dlmorley]

Thx..
I'll try scanning something in..

[The Byre]

I have a page on this subject on my website ('CD Layout Service').

If you are getting it done by a professional printer, there is a step-by-step description of how to create the pdf files.

[AlexLakis]

This is where I got mine. There are more on the site, you've just gotta navigate around a little bit.

http://www.newenglandcd.com/download...wel-insert.htm

[RichS]

Most of the major disc replication houses (http://www.discmakers.com/templates/) will have templates available in several formats... Photoshop, Illustrator (eps), and simple jpeg. Place the template in a separate layer (as a guide) in whatever software you're using.

[dlmorley]

thanks for all the answers! Great info here

[dlmorley]

Just one quick question
I have a black and white photo that I want to use for the cover. Do I print in B&W as 2 colour or CMYK?
Thanks again
David

[The Byre]

You can do it in B&W, but there is very little difference in cost (I'm talking replication here) so it would add depth, if you tilt the B&W very slightly to deep blue. For 500 pieces, the printer chanrges about $20 extra for colour for any given page.

[dlmorley]

Originally Posted by The Byre

You can do it in B&W, but there is very little difference in cost (I'm talking replication here) so it would add depth, if you tilt the B&W very slightly to deep blue. For 500 pieces, the printer chanrges about $20 extra for colour for any given page.

Thx!
Yes, so I will do it 4 colour.
I also guess it is nicer to have a white which is a touch creamier and a black that is not 100%...
Thanks again
David