How to Print a DVD Cover

Print out your own professional DVD covers.

If you frequently burn DVDs, then you may be looking for a way to customize your DVDs or make them look more professional. Creating your own DVD covers to place inside the plastic pouch of your DVD cases can be the perfect solution. Luckily, you can use your computer to help you design and print DVD covers. Printing DVD covers can be accomplished with a minimal amount of time and technical expertise.

Things You'll Need

• USB cable

Instructions

1. Turn on your computer and connect a printer using a USB cable. Install the required software drivers to enable your printer to work properly with your computer.

2. Open a graphic design program. If you do not already have a graphic design program installed on your computer, download a program such as Adobe Photoshop or CorelDRAW or use an online application such as Aviary Image Editor (see Resources).

3. Create a new project. If you are using Photoshop or CorelDRAW, use the "File" menu to select "New" and input 272 millimeters x 184 millimeters as the dimensions of your new canvas. If you are using Aviary, launch the Phoenix Image Editor from the main webpage, select "Start from Scratch" on the new Image Editor window, enter 1028 as the pixel width and 695.5 as the pixel height, and click "Create." Use the paintbrush, pencil, copy and paste functions, text boxes, and other tools in Photoshop, CorelDRAW, or Aviary to create the design of your DVD cover.

4. Print the DVD cover. Insert paper into the printer. If you are using Photoshop or CorelDRAW, use the application's "File" menu to select "Print." If you are using Aviary, select the "File" menu and click "Export Image." Select a file type and output location for your image file. Open the file from your hard drive using your default image viewing application. Select "Print" from the "File" menu. Adjust the print quality and paper type options in the print menu as you see fit. Click the "Print" button.

5. Cut out the DVD cover. Use scissors to cut the cover out of the piece of paper. Insert the DVD cover into a DVD case.

Tips & Warnings

• Use photo paper or another glossy paper to produce the highest quality DVD covers.

• Wait at least three minutes before touching the newly printed DVD cover to avoid smudging the ink.

• Wear protective gloves and use caution when handling scissors.

References

• PhotoshopInstructions: Create DVD Covers
• Neato: DVD Cover Templates

Resources

• Aviary Online Design Application
• Adobe Photoshop
• CoralDRAW