How can I make CD Labels using Photoshop or Illustrator?

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shawnpatrickjoyceshawnpatrickjoyce
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
After looking through a buddy of mine's CD collection, I noticed that many CD's had labels he created using his computer. I've looked through VersionTracker and cannot find specialized software worth its cost- especially considering my family invested in buying both Photoshop and Illustrator. My question is: How can I make my own CD labels using both/either Photoshop and/or Illustrator?



I'm not interested in the actual CD design. I would just like to know how to set up a template of sorts that will work with CD Label paper.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    ebbyebby Posts: 3,110member
    You can get "CD Stomper" at Fry's for like $10. Comes with 100 labels and the program has templets for photoshop and it's own program if you want to use it.



    [ 08-12-2002: Message edited by: Ebby ]</p>
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  • Reply 2 of 8
    shawnpatrickjoyceshawnpatrickjoyce Posts: 2,417member
    Great! However, I have access to a CD Stomper Kit. Is the process of transfering from an illustrator template to CD Label difficult or laborious? I mean- will it align properly? I guess it depends on what template I'm using... but I would enjoy feedback from anyone who has experience doing so...



    [ 08-12-2002: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]</p>
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  • Reply 3 of 8
    ebbyebby Posts: 3,110member
    You should be able to export a Illustrator document to a Pict file. The Stomper software should read that. Else, you have to create a templet from the label sticker-paper. I don't have Illustrator, but have used it years ago. Just remember to save a high resolution file. (350-700 DPI should be fine)
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  • Reply 4 of 8
    pesipesi Posts: 424member
    skip the crappy software that comes with the cd stomper. if you've got photoshop and illustrator, use the templates and print directly from photoshop or illustrator. they'll align fine. that's what the templates are for.
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  • Reply 5 of 8
    defiantdefiant Posts: 4,876member
    why don't you use the applescript for making cd inlets that comes with iTunes 2/3?
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  • Reply 6 of 8
    shawnpatrickjoyceshawnpatrickjoyce Posts: 2,417member
    Where is the iTunes-based AppleScript for that?
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  • Reply 7 of 8
    curiousuburbcuriousuburb Posts: 3,325member
    do a google search for "CD label" and template and whatever flavour of Illustrator or Photoshop you've got and you'll find plenty of free download EPS files like <a href="http://www.oneoffcd.com/specs/cdlabel.cfm"; target="_blank">this</a>







    some sites also provide mini-cd and business card flavours



    two things to be cautious of when rolling your own...
    • coverage: (same with silkscreened labels)



      while you can create a half-label or otherwise produce cutout shapes that use less than the full surface area of the cd (not just the knockouts for the centre ring and outer borders), you'll run the risk of throwing your CD off balance due to differential thickness (some surface higher with label than spots without)



      this may seem minor when looking edge on at an extra mm or two, but at 7200 rpm or higher, the aerodynamic flutter of a non-uniform platter may make your drive sound like it's losing a bearing.



      severe cases of this (repeated label attempts stuck onto a single cd) can cause enough flutter to pooch the laser tracking and drop data or make a finicky reader fail to read the disc

    • smooth adhesion of label



      similar to the problem noted above, if during the process of attaching your pre-trimmed label you don't remove all air bubbles and prevent creases, the same aerodynamic flow hiccoughs will occur



      please don't try to cut your label after you've stuck it to the cd... exacto knife shavings and dings in the polymer of the cd itself are worse than bad label coverage, and you risk the knife slip that may damage the substrate or cause the disc to delaminate (same problem with folks who try to "cut" a shaped cd from a regular one)



      test your stomping kit or pressing technique on some coasterdiscs before you destabilize critical data.



      sharpies in all crayola colours might do til then


    my .035 cdn



    happy burning



    Edit: url added



    [ 08-13-2002: Message edited by: curiousuburb ]</p>
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  • Reply 8 of 8
    shawnpatrickjoyceshawnpatrickjoyce Posts: 2,417member
    Thank you.



    I have 200+ CD Labels to produce and print. They should look fairly simple since my hp LaserJet 1200se prints in greyscale, but they should also be informative, including artist, album, and tracks.



    Does anyone have any ideas for such a simple label?
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