How to Make & Print Your Own CD Covers

You don't need to leave your homemade CD's coverless; you can make a CD cover for them in just a short time.

Modern CD burning technology allows you to make a variety of CDs for both business and pleasure. If you've created a CD and want to make a CD cover for it, the task doesn't require much. Additionally, if you've the CD to help you promote a new business or your band, making your own CD covers offers you a way to save money, but still look professional in your presentation.

Things You'll Need

• Drawing pad
• Clip art and photo CD
• Computer
• Microsoft Publisher
• Card Stock
• Printer
• CD covers

Instructions

1. Make sketches of some of the design ideas you have for your CD covers. For example, if you plan on making a classical music CD, feature photos of different classical instruments.

2. Search through your clip art and photo CD's for artwork or photos to features on your CD cover. While you can certainly take your own photos or make your own illustrations, many clip art and photo CDs offer thousands of suitable pieces.

3. Create a file folder on your computer for this project and store your photos and clip art, digital CD design, and any other types of documents or files related to the project. Import the graphics you got off the clip art CD into this folder so that you'll find them easily.

4. Open up Microsoft Publisher.

5. Go to the menu located on the left-hand side of the work area.

6. Select "Blank Publications" and then "Postcard".

7. Name your file and save your work.

8. Go to "File", then "Page Set Up". In the area that says "Height" and "Width", enter 4.75 inches in each box. Then click "OK". This will resize the postcard sized document, so that it'll fit your CD.

9. Make a box on the border of your CD cover by going to the box tool on the left-hand side and drawing a box all the way around both pages of your CD cover. This will make it easier to cut out later; you'll know where the edge of your CD is.

10. Import your pictures into the document by going to "Insert". Under this menu find "Picture" and then "From File".

11. Take the photos from your work folder. Do the same with any clip art you've taken from the clip art CD as well.

12. Resize any graphics that require it. Click on the photo or illustration until the little "handles" appear on the corners and sides of the graphic. Click on your mouse while holding down the "Control" key. Slide your mouse inward or outward until your graphics become the size you want.

13. Add any text to your designs by drawing a text box and typing in it. The text box is the square one with the "A" in the corner. By clicking on what you've typed, you can change the font type.

14. Add card stock to the printer when you're ready to print.

15. Print out your CD cover and cut it out.

References

• Art Lex: Designing CDs and CD Packaging

Resources

• Sir Frances Drake High School: Create a CD Cover