jewel case inserts

  • Thread starter Thread starter dobro
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dobro

dobro

Well-known member
Dunno which forum to put this in, but I reckoned a lot of people in here would know sth about this.

I'm using EZ CD Creator (Version 3.5c) to make the front and back covers for my CD jewel cases, plus my word processing program to make the lyric insert that gets stapled inside. Problem is, EZ CD Creator is problematic and not very powerful. I'll spare you the boring details, but what I want to know is whether you know of a software that does it better. I want to be able to do basic stuff like overlap photos and text, rotate stuff, operate easily with various formats for text and graphic files, and get the thing printed where I want it on the page EASILY. I want to be able to do this easily - I'd rather spend my time with the music.
 
I used MS Publisher 97 a few years ago. If doing it again, I think I'd use a graphical program like Photoshop for it. Measure the insert, define a page format in Photoshop andoff you go.. It'll require some test printing, but once the format is ok, burn it to a .pdf and print it in the copy shop. It'll cost you, but if you want color books, you have no other option.


Herwig
 
While it's not the best thing in the world, MediaFace is a pretty good program for doing inserts. Probably not as good as a photoshop program, but much better than any of the label makers that come with burning software.

I think you can still download a freeware version of it from Neato.com (I can't believe I just said 'Neato') among my recording colleauges (hehe).

Good Luck!
-Micro
 
Maybe Photoshop, yeah - another thing I'd like to do is change the contrast and brightness/darkness settings for images, and I think Photoshop would do that.

I looked for a free download of Mediaface, but it seems to cost $20.

Another question: I've never had a CD with a paper label. Are they as dumb as they sound, or are they okay? Do they wear out quickly, or stand up to the endless plays I expect my CDs will receive? :D
 
Since that EZ CD Creator SW WILL let you import a .bmp file, I create that file elsewhere as fancy as required and just paste it in wholesale in EZ CD Creator. It IS weak- but it does have some capabilities....
 
Wow, I just checked out the Neato website and yes, there is a bunch of junk you have to get through (and be registered) to get to the freeware.

You just can't go to the MediaFace4 download (that's the new version that you have to pay for), but there are ways to get to the freeware, but it's basically an impossible process unless you log in and then go to the free download section.

Micro
 
Thanks, micro.

drstawl - yeah, I even managed to get EZ to work with jpegs, despite the fact it isn't listed as a format. It didn't like it though. Refused to save it and open it sometimes. But the image that gets printed is way less good than the image on the computer screen. All sorts of weak links in this chain...
 
For the comp cd I was originally going to use Neato, and I even tried Publisher...

In the end I just used Jasc Paint Shop Pro (run of the mill imaging program), because it was much less limiting.

Of course the inserts weren't perfect...but ok.

Slackmaster 2000
 
I've been using Sure Thing CD labeler for over a year flawlessly.
Create your mages within photoshop or where ever and import.
Sure thing allow's for any paper products out there, Fellowes, Neato, IBM, HP, Avery, and others. Very flexable. Also has over 3000 predesigned backgrouns and templates.

www.surething.com
 
I've been getting good results with Photoshop Elements to do the artwork/text, then I import that into Mediaface for printing.

dobro, stapling lyrics inside? Why don't you print them on the other side of the insert?
 
I want the font to be big enough to read easily, and that means a few pages of insert. My insert software (EZ CD Creator) is really a pain when it comes to working with text, so I've put the lyrics part of the insert (3 pages, folded double) together with my word processing software, which is also more user friendly when it comes to getting stuff centered on pages for the sake of double-sided printing.
 
Another vote for Sure Thing CD Labeler.
I started using it when I needed a program capable of doing circular text, for example around central hole. It was good enough for me ever since.
 
photoshop!

I used photoshop primarily for my cd labels. Gives you the most versatility but you need to do alot of the things other cd-labelling programs do for you. I believe the dimensions are 12cm x 12cm for the front and 12cm x 15cm for the back (to compensate for the side labels. You can create them and then save them blank as a "template" if you wish. If you don't already have photoshop, this is not an economically sound choice, however..but photoshop is a powerful tool for manipulating images and text.

dlv
 
muskgrave,

at what resolution do you print your labels? 300dpi? 600?

do you use a laser printer or inkjet?

thanks..

ps: PS7 has the new vector shapes and text, but when i print the file it rasterizes the shapes...this is not a big deal if i print at least 300dpi..
 
300 should do ya fine,
I don't do anything professionally of course, just cd's I make with my stuff or possibly other stuff on it.

dlv
 
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