What is a Digipak?

A Digipak is a type of packaging for CDs or DVDs, typically made from cardboard with an internal plastic holder for one or more discs. Digipacks can either flip open like a book, or it can have three parts, so that one part of the packaging opens to the right and one to the left, with the CD in the centre section. Usually the part of the Digipack that holds the CD will be made of plastic just like a traditional jewel case CD  and the plastic part will be attached to the paper background.


Digipak's were first created by MeadWestvaco, and their product, called 'Digi-Pak', is trademarked. However, as the format gradually became more popular and began to be used more commonly by manufacturers, the generic "Digipak" came to be used to describe all soft CD packaging. Seeing as Digipaks were among the first of alternatives to jewel case cds to be used by major record companies and because there is no other common name for Digipak-style packaging, the term digipak or 'Digi-pak' is often used as a generic term.

It can be found that Digipak-style packaging is often used for CD singles or for special editions of CD albums. Such packaging is less resistant to abrasion than jewel cases, therefore it tends to show signs of wear relatively quickly and easily. However, it is believed that some Digipaks are printed with a protective UV coating which should ensure greater strength. 

Digipak Measurements

When it comes to the actual production of my Digipak, it is important that I have the correct measurements in order to allow for the most professional outcome. Therefore, instead of simply looking up on the internet the measurements for a Digipak, I thought it would be slightly more creative to film myself physically measuring a Digipak of mine and folding it into panels to grasp an idea of what the final outcome may look like.