Yeah, Photoshop works great for me, just create a template in the right size, design it and then print it.

I have been a very vocal critic of DVDA, and here comes another criticsim.

How in blazes can a company charge hundred of dollars for a product like this and not provide even a basic CD/DVD cover designer??

Is there ANY other program that doesn't provide this? It isn't as though this is a feature that someone just thought of. Nero and Roxio included it almost from day one in their under $100 CD authoring programs.

I hope DVDA 2.x addresses this shortcoming.

I've tried using Photoshop, but I can't find any presets for making DVD covers. I'm new to it, so I must be missing something. Can you point me in the right direction please?

I think meritline.com has a template for photoshop on their web site:

http://www.meritline.com/lib/meritline/dvdcaseinserts-temps1.psd

Not sure if that's what you want though.

I've allways used "SureThing" as it covers just about everything re CDs, Mini, Biz and DVD jackets, etc. that there is.

http://www.surething.com/ST/Category.asp?CatCode=DELUXE_NEW

I have used the Meritline templates. They provide them for photoshop, illustrator and others. They also have templates for disk design.

I measured the case - 184 x 272 was close, then used these dimensions in MS Publisher, including guide lines for cutting the paper.

I also use ShureThing and it works great. I originally purchased it because it’s the only program I could find that still does VHS tape labels. (remember those) ;-)

~jr

Thanks for the help. Downloaded the Photoshop template, but I can't see to add pictures to it. With the template open in photoshop, I tried to open pictures, but they didn't go inside the template. I tried importing them as well but that did nit work either.
Guess I need to get a quick start guide, but could someone please tell me how to work with this template?
Thanks again.

I use Sure Thing, and it is awesome, and very, very easy to use. What I like about it is that everything is premade inside a template. For example, the vertical letters on the DVD cover spline are already there. You just type away and voila'. I also like that there are lines on the template, so you know exactly where the edges of the cover are at. There is no guesswork, whatsoever. If I want to make a very advanced background in Photoshop, no problem. I just import the background into Sure Thing and piece of cake. Before I got Sure Thing, I tried using Photoshop with various templates and it was always a mess getting the margins just right.

"then used these dimensions in MS Publisher"

I gave up on specialised programmes mainly because I had problems aligning CD labels to suit all the variations of labels that are available.

I now use MS Word all the time. You can insert images, have a w i d e selection of fonts, rotate, shadow etc.

I create a template for each manufacturers label dimensions / position on sheet and they align perfectly every time.

> I gave up on specialised programmes mainly because I had problems aligning CD labels to suit all the variations of labels that are available.

SureThing has an alignment function which prints out a page on your printer, then you fold it in quarters and see where the center is on the graph that it printed. You then tell SureThing what the coordinates of the center of your page are and it makes sure any template you use is aligned. (i.e., the alignment is template independent!) It has templates for many, many label manufacturers. It’s just really easy to get good results. Download the demo and see for yourself.

~jr

Sounds like a "SureThing" to me. I'll check out the demo. Thanks

I just scanned a commercial DVD cover and then used that as a reference backdrop to create a template in Corel Draw. (Any graphics/layout program will do, as will MS Word).

Draw boxes around the front cover, spine and rear cover to use as guides.
Once the boxes are done and aligned, delete the backdrop.
Insert graphics, text, etc. as you wish, within the guides.

I usally publish to a PDF file, then take it on CD to Kinko's and have them run off color copies directly from the Acrobat file on plain 8.5" x 11" paper. Then, trim them to fit with a paper trimmer.

Just measure a DVD cover that you already have, enter the dimensions in photoshop and you're all set.

While we're on the subject, I've read conflicting reports about labels on DVD Discs. Some say it's safe to put labels on DVD's others say don't do it.

Any thoughts on this?

Don't do it. It will eventually casue problems. I know there are people on this list that do it, since we've had previous discussions about this in the past. But don't do it, printers and printable media are so cheap these days there is no reason why you would want to. It's often times cheaper to print directly on the CD or DVD than to use paper labels.

I have to disagree with Jsnkc. I've been using quality Avery labels and not had one minute's problem. It boils down to a matter of opinion. His and the those of us that use labels simply differ.

Just do your homework and make your own informed decision.

J--

I have to disagree with Jsnkc. I've been using quality Avery labels and not had one minute's problem. It boils down to a matter of opinion. His and the those of us that use labels simply differ.

Just do your homework and make your own informed decision.
=========================================
The Avery Permanent labels work well, but I have done any of the following:

1. Used the Avery labels (but it is difficult to find a CD applicator which they fit on properly....too loose)

2. Taken my full sized design and shrunk them down to core label size and applied those

3. Printed directly on printable media with my new dull looking Epson R300 which can be improved by printing twice at different settings and which has 6 ink cartridges (a potential future nightmare)


All of the above work on most players because the biggest factors are the MEDIA ITSELF, the burner, burner program, and the burn speed (1x works best). By "media itself" I mean the ID encoded into the disk not the name on the label

In terms of appearance the labels have it hands down, but the core labels are a good compromise for the argumentative types who insist that the labels screw things up.

In reference to the original post here, the industry has really missed the mark with DVD jacket software. There still aren't many programs to choose from and the ones I have tried do not have really good wizards which make adding smooth text and customizable photos to it really easy so you can concentrate on creativity and complex layout if you so choose. Then there is the matter of the paper and printer because A4 photo paper is the better paper size and it is overpriced here in the US when you do find it. I usually design an A4 layout, then set the printer to 8 1/2 x 11and print on 8 1/2 x 11 photo paper and it just fits with a tiny bit to trim.

Sure Thing is OK. Nero is OK. Click n' Design 3D is a nice program for CD design where you can switch backgrounds, fonts, and colors on the fly and see what they will look like. Guess what? No template for DVD jackets.


John