I use photo glossy paper for my dvd inserts and have a guillotine style paper cutter for nice clean cuts.

I also use a free software program called CoverXP. This software will resize your image to the proper dimensions for your inserts. Just be sure to set your paper size to A4 in your printer properties (even though you are using 8 1/2 x 11) to have it print to the correct size.

Here's an image of an insert I made for a movie I captured from tv and converted to dvd as an example. "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo"

Doc

Glossy paper seems like nothing but trouble to me. Over time the ink / paper sticks to the plastic cover. I use matte photo paper, just the cheap stuff.
Other problem I've struck is with 100% coverage you can burn up a LOT of ink. If I keep getting large orders then I'm either going to buy a color laser or farm it out to a print shop.

And here's an even bigger problem, some of the cases I've used need paper larger than A4, these cases hold 10 DVDs, I've got an A3 printer that'd do the job that I bought a year ago second hand but the damn thing is sooo big and A3 photo paper is rather expensive.

Bob.

"I would like to continue using glossy- just curious what you guys are using and where you are getting them from. Any glossy inserts without perforation out there?"

I use glossy photo paper from Costco (Kirkland brand). It's about $19 for 125 sheets. Real good quality. Won't stick to the sleeves like some other paper. I use the Epson R200, with the borderless setting, so you don't need special paper.

Guillotine-type cuttters aren't quite as precise, and tend to fray the paper. I use a Dahle rotary paper cutter to precise cuts. Once you've done it enough times, it's just as fast as tearing off the perforated edges of the more expensive paper.

I use 120gsm premium paper - doesn't cost much but produces nice bright colours.

I design them in MS Publisher, based on a template I created which has printed grey lines for guillotining down to fit snugly into a DVD case. (over here in Oz there's no such thing as an A4 DVD case - they disappeared with VHS.)

J -

I have a stock of matte blanks that I'm going through now, but when those are gone I may follow a tip I saw from the pixelpops guys on their forums. I have been using one of those small paper cutters designed for scrapbook-ists and they work great. Here's the message, and a link to follow -

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Here's a link to a company that sells legal-size 8.5x14" glossy paper for inkjet printers. At PixelPops, we use the 32lb. Premium Gloss 8.5x14 paper (Item #8504) for printing DVD Case Insert designs for our own DVDs. It works great with the PixelMixer. Leave the crop marks layer on in your .PSD and print from Photoshop using the 8.5x14 printer settings. Cut along the crop marks for a perfect DVD Case Insert. At $41.00 per 100 sheets, this is a nice alternative to the more expensive glossy perforated inserts made by other companies.


Direct link to 32lb. Premium Gloss

Here's a link to a company that sells legal-size 8.5x14" glossy paper for inkjet printers. At PixelPops, we use the 32lb. Premium Gloss 8.5x14 paper (Item #8504) for printing DVD Case Insert designs for our own DVDs. It works great with the PixelMixer. Leave the crop marks layer on in your .PSD and print from Photoshop using the 8.5x14 printer settings. Cut along the crop marks for a perfect DVD Case Insert. At $41.00 per 100 sheets, this is a nice alternative to the more expensive glossy perforated inserts made by other companies.

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Nice alternative? That price seems outrageous. The JetPrint Matte I linked above is around $8.00 in Walmart for 100 sheets and looks just as good as the Kodak, Fuji, HP, Epson, or any other photo paper I have used as a DVD jacket cover. Even direct from International Paper it is only $10.99 per 100 sheets.

John

For most of our projects we use a clear clamshell.
Art is on the DVD top.
No need for an insert.
Works for corporate jobs.
But don't imagine most brides would be impressed with their special day stuff into a c-shell?

I use Pixel Pops for DVD labels and Case Inserts...great product with a lot of flexibility so the labels can be customized.
Also use Bidex Precision Cutting CARL 15" Rotary Trimmer to cut the labels. This cuts much more straight lines than a guillotine cutter. Staples Carries it:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=16324&cmArea=SEARCH

Also use HP Glossy Brochure and Flyer paper. 150 sheets for $30:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesSearch?keyword=hp+glossy+flyer&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&errorUrl=searchnoresults&searchSumUrl=searchresultssummary&searchUnsumUrl=searchresults&fromUrl=home

My limit is $15-$20 for 100 sheets. Sometimes I get Fuji, Polaroid, or Kodak at BJ's because they are having a rebate and a sale or sometimes an online vendor will have a sale. If I run out I get the JetPrint for under $10.

You guys are spending a lot more on this paper than what is spent on commercially produced Hollywood DVD jacket inserts. Pull one out and take a look.

John