#9: Let’s Make Card Sleeves! Pt. 1

So, relentless readers, you’ve trailed my spoor to this final destination, this moment of truth when I actually start showing you how to put me, experienced disc-womper that I am, out of business. Do let’s begin, then, shall we?

The case you are about to learn how to construct, called a card case or sleeve or occasionally pouch or pocket, or even (if you’re especially groovy) an eco wallet, is the simplest, cheapest, greenest, most durable cover a CD can have. It’s completely appropriate for demos and short albums (and probably for 90% of major releases as well, considering). It’s also a cheap imitation of the same style of case as constructed by high-end duplicators, the chief differences being the weight of cardstock used in the process and the type of press (ink vrs. laser printer).

Materials

To make these li’l cookies, you’ll need the following items:

• A CD. Duh.

• A source of printing, be it a monochrome or color laser printer, an inkjet printer, the guy behind the counter at Kinko’s, an offset press shop (if you can even still find one) or whatever.

• Cardstock paper suitable for running through said source of printing.

• A layout.

• A paper cutter.

• Gluestick or some other glue.

Layout

Everything for the sleeve gets laid out on one side of a standard 8.5 x 11 (“letter size”) sheet, in accordance with this template:

Card Sleeve Template (right-click to download)

Layout takes place with the sheet turned horizontal, or landscape mode (standard position is called portrait). Finished size of the case is 4 7/8” square, just enough larger than a CD disc for it to fit without struggling.

The case has a front and a back, with folding tabs to glue them together. I always make card sleeves with the slot facing right on the front, which might be nothing but dexterous prejudice but also follows the formality of vinyl LP sleeves of yore. In the template, then, the front occupies the right side while the back is on the left.

You can lay out a design in any number of ways, from the old school cut'n'paste to the new school control-x and control-v. The template included here should work with all the standard layout programs — place (import) it over a letter/landscape document, lay out your design over it, then delete it before printing. If you’re pasting up with real paste, it helps to make a print of the template as a reference.

Remove the template and any marks you made in your document to line up parts of your layout before you print. If it’s properly designed, you’ll be able to cut it out without them. But be sure to keep the vertical line at the middle top of the design — it’s invaluable during the construction process.

Completed design

Construction

1. First cut: trim lengthwise to 5 7/8".

First Cut

2. Fold the paper in half along the vertical fold line (told you it was useful).

3. Second cut: folded, trim crosswise to 4 7/8".

Second Cut

4. Cut the tabs: open the sleeve, trim the edges of the back by 1/2" on top and bottom, edge to fold.

Cutting the tabs

5. Close the sleeve. Cut the flaps off diagonally.

Cutting off the flaps

6. Fold the tabs:  fold the tabs down over the back of the case, using it as a guide.

Folding the tabs

7. Glue: open the case, spread paste on the tabs, close the case and press it firmly. Insert CD. You’re done!

Next month: Let’s Make Card Sleeves! Pt. 2  — Tips, Tricks and Customizations