There are no doubt you’ve spent countless hours at the studio and the editing room making the content for your DVD. Each minute has been scrutinized multiple times to make sure that the final product is precise as you wanted it to be or what the client requested. It is now your responsibility to show the same level of commitment and attention to detail the design of your disc and the packaging it comes in, especially in the case of an environment that sells. The most important thing you do not want to do is miss out on sales or suffer from a lack of interest in the final product due to bad quality packaging or printing.
Most likely, you’ll also need to adhere to a budget, and this is the point where things become complicated. it’s worth taking the time to look into the possibilities of choosing a partner for packaging and printing DVDs.
How to Select and Source DVD Printing and Packaging Services
One of the main aspects, when you are looking for packaging and printing services, is the number of DVDs that are required. Like most items the greater the quantity you purchase more, the lower the price per unit. If you are only looking for only a small amount of discs, there are options to keep the price of the project low and still produce a top final product. If you need an extensive run, there are options to reduce costs that can, for larger quantities of discs, could be substantial.
The most common considerations to consider when choosing a supplier. Conduct a bit of research online and locate reviews from customers or request your contacts to give you recommendations. Choose a business that allows you to speak directly with a designer in order to ensure that your specifications are met. Request samples and, if you can set up a meeting with an individual designer face-to-face and check out the quality and quality of previous projects. This is especially important in the case of a massive number of discs to be packaged, a image on a website will not convey the high-quality feel and quality of the packaging. The most important thing is you don’t want to have packages that are “make do” with because there’s not enough time to make the reprint. All of this won’t be an issue for a trusted professional and experienced supplier of packaging.
DVD Printing Artwork
If you plan to design the disc’s and packaging artwork, you’ll need an assortment of templates that you can use so that the printing service you choose to use will be able to use your final artwork in their printing setup. Discuss your needs with your supplier to ensure that they meet your requirements and they should be able to supply you with the needed art templates.
The companies that print DVDs will typically have an artist who will create your disc and packaging for you, even if you’re planning to design it yourself. Alternatively, you can employ an experienced graphic designer who is experienced in this field and will be able to guide you on the type of images that print best on DVDs as well as their packaging.
Short Run DVD Printing and Packaging
Digital Printing
If you require more than 100 discs digital printing could be the best option for you. They are created with an inkjet printer that is digital; the discs that are used contain an inkjet-printed surface and the company you choose to use should be capable of offering you assurance of the disc’s quality. By using this printing technique it is possible to print high-quality photographs. The discs must be finished correctly to ensure an extremely professional final product. A clear lacquer must be put on to protect the ink that it is not damaged by moisture, and also to provide an adequate degree of impact resistance. The supplier should also be able to prove that the DVDs printed are finished in a proper manner.
Digital DVD printing doesn’t need screenings, films, or plates to set for Silk-Screen or Offset (Lithographic) printing, however, it could be more time-consuming. It’s ideal for small print quantity, but once you reach the 100 + disc mark you’ll need to consider different printing techniques available to reduce the costs.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is ideal for printing blocks of colors, especially when particular Pantone colors are needed for the design. The Pantone color system is a code system that guarantees consistent shades of color for branded media when needed. A set of numbered swatches is utilized to identify the precise mixture of inks needed to create a particular shade and the ink gets mixed with a precise collection of machines. Screen printing also permits the use of special inks like metallic effect inks as well as fluorescent inks.
A screen for DVD printing needs is constructed for each color of ink which can be used up to six colors. A white base layer is applied to the discs in the event that there is any white in the design prior to. The remaining five colors are then printed onto the disc. The colors printed on-screen are vibrant and captivating and when utilized as a part of a top-quality printing process, it will let your disc shine.
When cost-control is a concern especially for smaller quantities of discs, then restricting the number of colors used in the design could negate certain fixed costs associated with sundries. When you print larger batches, the cost is absorbed and can be reduced to a minimum, particularly if you’re printing more than 1000 DVDs printed.
Offset or Lithographic Printing
Lithographic printing is a method of printing high-resolution photos or complicated images onto DVDs. Inks are applied by an inkjet printer and a rubber mat system that can be used for printing large volumes of discs. The costs for setting up lithographic printing can be costly however, like screen printing, they are negligible for larger volumes of discs usually more than 1000. Similar to Screen printing discs, they should be coated with a layer of UV lacquer in order to ensure that the disc is water-resistant and also to give it a high degree that is resistance to impact. The lacquer may be gloss or matt, depending on the needs of the design.
DVD Packaging
There’s a wide variety of packaging to pick from based on the budget for your project or the needs of your project. Paper or plastic wallets are on the low and are and then you can choose printed card wallets that can appear classy with the proper design through traditional cases that come with printed paper sleeves, and on to more sophisticated types of packaging like jukeboxes and customized metal containers/tins.
Plastic Wallets or Paper Wallets
A wallet made of plastic or a paper wallet is perfect if you’re placing the DVD in the packaging together with other promotional items, for example, if you’re giving them to attendees at an exhibition or trade show of any sort or mailing the discs. They’re low-cost and lightweight and give some degree of protection for both the recorded and printed surfaces.
They can also be purchased with three or two adhesive strips in the event that the wallet requires to be glued into the form of a book.
Printed Card Wallets
There are numerous kinds of wallets for cards, such as an ordinary card sleeve you can slide in a single disc or a box that stores several discs within pockets in the form of a booklet (Lancing Pack). The wallets can be printed digitally using an image of high-resolution or an image that is as simple or intricate as you want. The wallet is then coated with a matt or gloss lamination depending on your needs for the design.
Clamshell Cases and Slimline Jewel Cases
Clamshell cases offer greater protection over cards or paper wallets. They also come with an image printed, but they will only allow the 3 or 4 block color print, which is sufficient for a business or band’s logo. An ultra-slim jewel case can permit the use of digitally printed paper components as well as an information booklet in the event that it is needed. Both are light and compact, but the clamshell packaging is likely to be constructed of an elongated type of plastic as opposed to the jewel case. jewel cases are susceptible to break on impact since they’re made of the more rigid type of plastic.
Standard DVD Cases
The DVD case that we are all accustomed to watching blockbuster films in, is available in a range of colors and also a selection of grades that are around 140 x 135 x 190mm. They typically have an internal stud that keeps the disc in the case, but they can also have a tray to store the disc, particularly if there are several discs to be contained within the case. They are made from flexible polypropylene plastic that has transparent plastic covers that is able to hold a printed paper insert. If there’s a book to be placed inside the box, the typical cases come with molded clips that hold it inside the left-hand side of the panel.
The most affordable standard DVD cases can be found in clear or black plastic, as they are the most popular. Cases that are colored differently (red-blue, yellow-white, and so on.) are generally a bit more expensive since there’s usually not an enormous demand for them.
This kind of case is available in a slimline design with an internal spine depth of 9mm or an oversize to accommodate several discs with an overall spine depth of 20mm or more.
Digipack and Jukebox
These kinds of packaging are more sophisticated and can cost a bit more than the cost of the project, but could be exactly what the project requires to make it stand out.
Digipack
Digipacks are Digipack includes a strengthened card folder that has a variety of panels printed (usually around 4 or 6) with a tray made of plastic attached to one of the inner panels to accommodate the disc. There are multiple tray options that are possible for packages with more than one disc, however, anything more than 3 will cause the package to become too heavy and difficult to open and close. Each of the panels could receive a top-quality digital print. The card can be matt or gloss laminated, based on your needs, or left with the standard silk-like appearance.
Jukebox
The Jukebox provides a unique method to display the DVD once the box is opened. The card mechanism pushes the disc forward when the box is opened, and it folds flat after the package has been shut. It’s a unique way to make your product stand out and give it an edge. The box can be printed digitally with the design you prefer, but it is not the case for all packaging makers to offer this, so you’ll have to inquire beforehand and request a design template to be used when creating your packaging.
Printing and Finishing DVD Packaging
The packaging is typically digitally printed, but it is possible to be, if needed, printed on the screen. It’s not likely to be any cost difference between printing a basic “less is more” type of design or printing full color with dancing and singing. A majority of card stock packaging can be finished using matt or gloss laminate which is a thin layer of plastic to provide the finish you want depending on the design you want to print.
Naturally, the goal of packaging is to make the prospective customer as excited as they can about the possibilities of the DVD included. You should work closely with your designer should you have one, to ensure that you have a package that shouts about how fantastic products you sell.
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