Digipaks

Digipaks usually consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card stock outer binding, inside which are one or more plastic trays attached on the inside, used for holding a CD or DVD disc.

Digipaks are used unanimously now, but were first introduced as a cheaper alternative to jewel cases, and brought into popular use by major record labels who wanted to save money and improve their profits.




Digipak-style packaging is used for both CDs and DVDs, everything from first edition singles to special edition re-releases brought on by popular demand. Its cheapness shows in that it wears easily, but this has not stopped sales and the Digipaks are still commonly used by record companies.

The creatives at labels utilise all of the available space allowed by the plastic, which can encase papers and even booklets containing information about the artist or the album. These are made assuming people take them out and read them, although people rarely have the time to be bothered.

This is based on the information included in old vinyl records, which people read as they were released before the internet when people had time to read the lyrics of the songs and information about the band they were listening to.