What do you expect in packaging?

Thanks for the info folks...keep the responses coming!




Edited by BigHairyMonster - November 24 2007 at 22:14

BigHairyMonster wrote: Another packaging question in preparation for Big Hairy Monster's debut "View".  Feel free to cast multiple votes if there are more than one item that you like to see on a CD. Also, feel free to comment on any of the items.  Also, if you have any pet peeves regarding CD packaging, please share with the class. Thanks!

Ah, preparing a debut. Can't wait to see!

Okay here are my two cents.

Cool cover art. Noot "cool". Good. And high contrast!

This covers is screaming at  you:



and for example, cover doesn't have to be pretty, but it must be easy noticeable - again, screaming at  you. Take a look at this high contrast:



It's great. It's perhaps not pretty, but it's aimed on the market, and it's drawing customer's attention. Therefore, it's good.

A lyric sheet? Hm, I don't think it's necesarry.  Lyrics could always be present on a band's website (and that 's what you need, a web link).

It also depends of your language,target market langauge, and of ability of your singer to pronounce the words loud and clear. And a level of your songwriting.

Some band pictures are always welcome, but it depends of a concept...if your band wants to be mysterious as The Residents, the pictures are out of the question...

Both small insert with basic info and large booklet are fine, but  the booklet will cost you a lot. Basic info should really be basic. For all the extra informations, listener should visit the official web site.

One more thing you don't need long and detailed biography, info or loads of pictures of your band...that is unnecessary self-indulgence. When you will became famous, people will be interested in that.

Personally, the only detailed thing I like to see is a gear list, that's because I'm a keyboardist. However, statements like "X is using ProMark sticks, Y is using Peavy amps" is  unnecessary. Keep it simple.

And please, whatever you're putting inside the sleeve, KEEP THE TEXT READaBLE!! Beware of the fonts!.  There's nothing worse then some artsy-fartsy font  used for a poem, imitating the handwriting.
Of course it depends of the artwork...but be clever. If  you artwork resembles art noveau, use tall fonts with floral motives, if you are doing spacey science fiction cover, use "old computer" or LCD font...but always keep the texts readable!



Barcode should go on  a separate sticker if you care about your album artwork, but it's slightly more expensive. The listeners prefer CD without a barcode ruining the art.

A Band Sticker? Are you aiming at the 12--years-old audience?

Rock memorabilia should WAIT until band became more popular and it should be sold separately. Stickers, posters inside the CD package are stupid and unnecessary extra cost.

So yes, packaging IS important.

Best of luck.

I'm just going to say, that doing impulsive purchases the cover art is what catches my eye. Not that it matters if I know the music is good, but that's the reason my first Genesis album was selling england by the pound.

Band Pictures, live or studio, short or detailed history & maybe somthing more

Pretty much any or all of those except the last choice.

The more elaborate the packaging the better for me. I like great cover Art, Lyrics and a large booklet included. My favourite would be an LP replica sleeve or failing that some sort of card cover as oposed to a platic box.