How to Create CD Labels

CD labels help you stay organized.

People have been making compact disc labels since 1982, the year that audio CDs became commercially available. Today, manufacturers screen artwork onto these data storage discs, and home computer users fill them with music, images, presentations and documents. With over 200 billion CDs floating around in the world, the ones you burn need to stand out, lest they may get lost in a crowd of competing discs.

Things You'll Need

• Printable CD labels
• CD label template
• Template compatible software
• Printer

Instructions

1. Purchase self-adhesive printable CD labels from your local office supply store. Several major brands offer labels with glossy or matte finishes. Choose the surface style that you find appealing. Glossy labels generally print bright colors best. Select a glossy CD label if you plan on including a photograph in your design. Matte labels work best for professional, conservative and simple single-color CD label designs.

2. Check your CD label template before making a CD label. Printable CD label manufacturers often share website addresses where you can find a matching CD template that will line up with its labels. Using the template that goes with the specific labels you purchase makes creating a label easier. Templates are typically offered in a variety of common file types. Download the one for the program you will be designing the CD label with.

3. Open the manufacturer's CD label template file with a software application that will open it. If you run into any trouble opening the manufacturer's template file, investigate open-source software applications that will open the file type you downloaded.

4. Modify the area specified in the manufacturer's CD label template. You will see a circle and some crop marks. Keep your CD label design work within the boundaries indicated by the company's template. Your type, graphics and pictures should fall safely within the template's boundaries.

5. Fill the CD labels with information. Reveal the CD's contents in an orderly fashion. Include file, song and image folder names, as necessary. Your finished CD label design should make what is on the CD clear and easy to understand, especially if you plan on giving the CD away as a gift. You may need to copy and paste your design into several template areas before printing, depending on the CD template's design.

6. Insert a sheet of printable CD labels into your printer. Place the sheet in the printer carefully. Its left side should be flush with your printer's left plastic paper guide. Repeat this step if your CD designs don't line up. The printing process gets easier with practice, but you may not end up with perfect results right away.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the manufacturer's CD label printing instructions for optimal results.

References

• Venmill Industries: Comparing Discs
• Microsoft Home Magazine: Make Your Own Holiday CD