DigiPaks the New CD Duplication Packaging

For many years, there was absolutely no substitute for the jewel case, also known as optical disc packaging. At the turn of the millennium, IMPAC Group, Inc. came up with what they called Digipak. The company trademarked the design of a book style or gatefold paperboard for outer binding with a plastic tray inside holding a compact disc or a digital versatile disc. Some variants in design used card stock instead of paperboard for the outer binding and many styles had multiple plastic trays inside for more than one CD or DVD. This style of packaging did not take long to become popular as record labels endorsed the cheaper alternative to jewel cases. Many recording artists chose the packaging style for their singles in the first decade of the twenty-first century.

Today, DigiPaks has become almost the default choice for CD duplication packaging. Branded as DigiPak, Digipak and Digi-Pak, the design has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. The plastic tray has been redesigned by many manufacturers that have the license to use the trademarked packaging style. There are different sizes of DigiPaks, with the taller and larger ones being usually reserved for special editions or premium collections. DigiPaks were criticized in its early years for not being as resistant to shock and wear & tear as the classic jewel case but the lightweight made it more reasonable to ship, the soft spot was easy to handle and there was no brittle plastic case as was common in the erstwhile numero uno packaging style for compact discs.

DigiPaks are the new CD duplication packaging for one more key reason. Many manufacturers now use eco friendly materials to make these packages. Some manufacturers use recycled materials, wherein every component of the packaging, made of either synthetic or natural material, is procured from recycled products. The greener alternative to jewel case obviously makes more sense. DigiPaks are also coated with protective coating to limit damage caused by ultraviolet light.

There was another notable criticism of the package pertaining to the teeth inside the case. It was made of plastic and hence was brittle. External pressure or thrust upon impact and during handling could break the plastic holding the compact disc in place, thus damaging the CD or DVD. Newer designs don’t have such teeth. Many natural materials that are softer have been introduced in the design to gently hold the compact discs in place without damaging the content. If you are looking for affordable new CD duplication packaging, then DigiPaks will be our de facto option.