Digiapk

What is a digipak 

A digipak is the same form and size of a standard CD case, however it is made from environmentally friendly cardboard. The difference with a digipak is that the CD wallet has a plastic tray which the disc snaps into - sturdier product. The history of the digipak starts in 1974. A Digipak consists of a insert, spine and front, the insert being a booklet containing information about the Artist, pages devoted to pictures of the Artist, and sometimes the lyrics of songs and different information to do with the record label and producers. There are many different types of digipak's here are two:

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  4 panel Digipak - the most common panel. CD digipaks with 4 panels have a this many panels for customer colour printing. Front cover, inside left, inside right and back cover. These digipaks use a clear tray on the inside right panel, meaning that you can add your own print to this panel and it will show through on the tray.           
  
• 6 panel digipak - has an extra panel allowing the disc to be placed in the centre of the digipak.  6 panel digipaks are produced to be able to hold 2 discs, as well as, the front cover with additional information.

What to include in a Digipak CD?

A lyrics booklet – offering an insight into the CD’s recorded songs

Promotional material – directing the customer to where more relevant material can be found

Thank you note – some artists have been known to include letters of appreciation to their paying fans

A song list – a running order of the tracks on the CD

What is the purpose of a digipak?

The purpose of a digipak is to promote the album, to list the content of the album, ensure the CD is eye catching. Digital uses the corporate identity of the Artist as a reoccurring theme and to attract not only the fans of the artist but a wider audience, who may walk past the digipak in a shop. As well as, to tell the audience something about the musician they didn't already know. Another purpose of a digipak is to create additional promotional materials, such as sleeves within the digipak, which could include booklets and posters or a lyric booklet. 

How does digipak benefit artist?

The front of the digipak will have a reflection of the artist and what their predominate genre is. The digipak will contain a theme and a message about the artist image. There are usually some ideas conveyed in the lyrics or visuals in the debt music promo which would make the digital more visually asthetic and abstract. Digital benefit the artist and their own music as its a promotional aspect of the music industry, which helps bring awareness to the artist and the selling point. Buying a digipak establishes your loyalty to an artist as you don't only get a CD, in some cases you may receive other merchandise. 

    

What are the codes and conventions?

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  In oder, to create a successful digital, there are specific codes and conventions in them, such as the main image, band, names, track list. 
• The spine of the digipak should include the name of the artist or band and the album institution. The back panel usually consists of the track lis, and printed on in a contrasting colour making it legible. 
• Digipak's are designed to fold into the standard square shape of a regular CD case but many fold out in different ways and have a varying about of panels. The front and back are standard promotion sections much like an ordinary CD case, that are used to draw the customer to the CD.  
• Interiors are usually extra information about the artist, songs and album itself. The general card or paper folds around the edges of the plastic secures the disc in place. 
• The colour scheme usually reflects the mood of the album or the genre of the tracks/songs on the disk - black and brown can be uses to reinforce genre and mood which is more a rebellion theme, helping establish a more clear target audience.