How to Create a CD or DVD Photo Jacket

DVD Jacket

Today's computer users create DVDs and CDs all the time of movies, music and images. I don't know about you, but I have a lot of DVDs that are in cases with "Sharpie" names inscribed on the front. This is fine for personal use, but when I give a CD or DVD to someone else, I like to put them in a CD case with a printed jacket. Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 makes it easy to crank out CD and DVD covers in a variety of formats. Just follow the simple steps below to use the CD/DVD wizard and start making your own arty covers.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0
• Copies of Images for production

1. Open Files in BIN

   Open Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 in Editor Mode. Select and open all the image files you will use. You will notice all of these images available to you in the bin at the bottom with the last one selected in the editor window.

2. Select the Option

   Click the CREATE tab at the top right of the screen and select MORE OPTIONS at the bottom. From the options menu select DVD jacket. The jacket is the insert that goes into the DVD case and the DVD label is printed on special label stock that you adhere to the actual DVD. I just create a DVD jacket which I print on glossy photo stock. I still write the title on the DVD in case the media gets separated from the case. This is just a matter of me being too cheap to buy the label stock, plus I have also seen label stock not adhere properly to the DVD and cause a mess

3. Select Theme

   Once you select DVD JACKET you will see the Options menu. Here you can select a theme and a layout. Choose the right layout for the number of images you want to use on your DVD jacket. Also click the AUTOFILL choice at the bottom of the page. When your page is created it will automatically place images from the bin. When you are finished, click NEXT.

4. Add Images

   Your page will be rendered and opened in the editing window. Your images are automatically placed. Use your artistic judgment to move and resize the images. You don't want the theme to interfere with the images and vice versa.

5. Resize and Add Text

   After you have arranged the images and resized you will probably want to add some text to describe your DVD. When it looks visually how you want it, the image is ready to print

6. Print Options

   From the FILE menu select PRINT and carefully review the print options. Make sure you specify the actual size you want the image printed and change the image rotation if necessary to fit the paper. I usually print DVD jackets on high quality photographic paper, but you may also choose a card stock or other specialty stock for your cover. Change the output size to DVD jacket and click OK.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to carefully trim your printed DVD jacket to fit the case.

• Print the front and back DVD pages separately.

• Print on low-quality paper first as a proof to check your size and alignment.

Resources

• Adobe Photoshop Elements