CD Packaging and CD duplication, Auckland

Kurb promotions offers cd duplication . . . with a range of cheap and affordable cd packaging options

We all know the relevance of CD packaging in the retail business and the music industry. It increases album sales, it helps define the musicians’ style and personality, and it has artistic value. A great CD packaging is especially important to rising new artists. They are still trying to squeeze themselves in the music industry and CD packaging is one avenue for their music and their band to get noticed.

If you are a new musician trying to conceptualize an attention-grabbing CD packaging design for your upcoming album, you should bear in mind that although it is good to appreciate the CD packaging designs of popular bands, it is not always wise to work on the same style or template as theirs. They are already popular, thus they have more freedom to experiment and be obscure with their CD packaging designs. You, on the other hand, have to get noticed first. There are no hard CD packaging design rules and I am not suggesting that you surrender to conformity. This is just to give you some small insights in conceptualizing your CD packaging if you are a new artist.

Here are some things that the popular bands can do but the new artists cannot when it comes to the music retail business and the design of the CD packaging:

Popular musicians can be more obscure with the CD Packaging; new artists should be clear with what the album is all about.

The design should also reflect the style and personality of the musicians and the kind of music they make. Madonna and Lady Gaga have the choice to be obscure with their CD packaging designs simply because they are already established musicians. They do not even have to put a picture of their faces in the CD packaging and people would still buy their albums. They do not have to show big and bold fonts of their names or their album names if their faces are already on the cover. The more popular an artist is the more he can get away with being vague with his CD packaging design. New and rising artists, on the other hand, need to be clearer with their names. Popular musician’s name may not be very clear and may not even show up in the CD packaging; new musicians’ name should standout from afar. The design should also say a lot about the musician and the album. Remember, you should make your CD packaging design thinking that no one knows you-that you are introducing yourself to the world for the very first time.

Popular musicians can include more expensive “freebies”, new musicians should not add something that’s more expensive than the album itself.
Freebies are supposed to be 100% free and should not increase the price of the actual album at all. Some popular musicians however include “freebies” but increase the amount of the album by a few dollars. Some very popular bands include collector’s items that are more expensive than the actual album-like t-shirts and toys- and still get plenty of sales. If you are a new and rising artist, adding real freebies (and by that real I mean, 100% free items) could be effective in increasing album sales. The consumer would instantly think that he’s getting more from what he’s paying. But do not include something that is more expensive than a key chain unless you have a major sponsor. Do not include something that would increase the price of your album significantly. Significant= $2 or more.

Popular musicians may or may not include a brief bio or discography inside the CD packaging, new musicians should.

A well-known band may or may not include a long info about them inside the CD packaging because well…they do not find it necessary anymore because most people already know them. It is very likely that they already have big websites and many people are following their every tweet. New artists, on the other hand, should maximize their CD packaging and use it as an avenue for self-promotion. New fans and friends of new fans get curious about you and would love to know you more. Introduce yourself and your music to the whole world. Afterall, you would not be doing this on your 4th or 5th album.

Popular musicians can sell merch, new musicians have to focus on their music first
You become an established musician simply because many people love your music. If many people love your music, you become famous. Only when you’re famous can you sell non-music items and get a good profit from it. One good example of this is the band KISS. Since the internet downloads and piracy are killing the music retail industry, they found a good way to earn using other means. They sell KISS collectibles like lunch boxes, t-shirts, toys, figurines, and many others. You cannot do this if you are still a new band. Who would want a figurine or toy from an anonymous band? Work on your music first before you sell nonmusic items.