DVD Cover Software at DVinfo.net

Valentino Lascano · August 16th, 2007, 11:09 PM

At the risk that feedback on this topic has been given time and again - I ask for your pardon in advance. But I am new to the videography business and would like suggestions on software that would help me create customized covers/inserts for DVD cases. I am shooting events like weddings, sweet 15/16 and anniversaries.

Thanks much!

Eric Shepherd · August 17th, 2007, 12:41 AM

Hi Valentino,

It depends on your skill level and how deep you want to get into this. You can generally find entry level software for this at Staples and other stores. If you want to have total control over it, you could use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

With a nice background collection and a basic program, you should be able to make some nice looking packages fairly quickly. Just use a maximum of 2 or 3 font faces (sizes are another story) and keep it classy and elegant. :)

Eric

Stelios Christofides · August 17th, 2007, 01:31 AM

Also Nero 7 has a cover design section as well as Roxio media creator.

Stelios

Eric Shepherd · August 17th, 2007, 01:39 AM

Good point. The all-in-one apps like you mentioned, combined with a good background collection are probably all that most people would need. The real trick is knowing when to stop adding effects, colors, fonts, etc. Usually less is more with design.

I assume they still make the CD Stomper Pro. I bought mine back in 1998 and it came with software for designing the disc labels and the jewel box inserts. I think I paid $25 or $30 for it back then.

George Ellis · August 17th, 2007, 05:44 AM

I use the free application from Meritline. I build all my graphics in Animation:Master and then put them it the app as jpgs. It works out well because it handles the print formatting for the Meritline photo glossy covers that I use. Using graphic authoring tools would do the same.

Or, there are templates for a couple of the document processing apps such as MS Word that you can use that are provided by the paper mfgrs.

Harm Millaard · August 17th, 2007, 06:10 AM

I exclusively use Pixelmixer in combination with Photoshop CS3.
Look here: http://www.pixelpops.com/

Brandon Potthoff · August 17th, 2007, 07:12 AM

photoshop is your friend, I have been doing wedding for 7 years. In the last year i have learned how to use CS2 and now i use it all the time it is wonderful tool and not only is it great for making covers but meuns and all sorts of other stuff also. I would highly suggest learning it, buy a book, dvd, or take a class and then just spend time working with it. I will promise you, you will thank yourself over and over a million times.
The first thing that I do when I get to a wedding is talk to the photagrapher to see if I can get some pics from them for the covers and stuff and of course I give them credit for there work.
Good luck
Brandon

Ron Evans · August 17th, 2007, 08:11 AM

Paper labels on DVD's are not a good idea as over time they can cause a lot of playback problems by making the DVD spin unstable. Get an Epson or Canon printer and print directly on Ink Jet printable DVD's. Epson comes with a printer program and will also allow import of image too.

Ron Evans

George Ellis · August 17th, 2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Evans

Paper labels on DVD's are not a good idea as over time they can cause a lot of playback problems by making the DVD spin unstable. Get an Epson or Canon printer and print directly on Ink Jet printable DVD's. Epson comes with a printer program and will also allow import of image too.

Ron Evans

Ron, he was talking about case inserts. ;)

Ron Evans · August 17th, 2007, 06:41 PM

Ooops!!! Yes I have now read again!! I use Nero Cover designer too.

Ron Evans

August 16th, 2007, 11:09 PM	#1
Valentino Lascano Tourist Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 4	DVD Cover Software At the risk that feedback on this topic has been given time and again - I ask for your pardon in advance. But I am new to the videography business and would like suggestions on software that would help me create customized covers/inserts for DVD cases. I am shooting events like weddings, sweet 15/16 and anniversaries. Thanks much!

August 17th, 2007, 01:31 AM	#3
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Also Nero 7 has a cover design section as well as Roxio media creator. Stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

August 17th, 2007, 07:12 AM	#7
Brandon Potthoff Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springfield, Il Posts: 63	photoshop photoshop is your friend, I have been doing wedding for 7 years. In the last year i have learned how to use CS2 and now i use it all the time it is wonderful tool and not only is it great for making covers but meuns and all sorts of other stuff also. I would highly suggest learning it, buy a book, dvd, or take a class and then just spend time working with it. I will promise you, you will thank yourself over and over a million times. The first thing that I do when I get to a wedding is talk to the photagrapher to see if I can get some pics from them for the covers and stuff and of course I give them credit for there work. Good luck Brandon

August 17th, 2007, 12:41 AM	#2
Eric Shepherd Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 404	Hi Valentino, It depends on your skill level and how deep you want to get into this. You can generally find entry level software for this at Staples and other stores. If you want to have total control over it, you could use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. With a nice background collection and a basic program, you should be able to make some nice looking packages fairly quickly. Just use a maximum of 2 or 3 font faces (sizes are another story) and keep it classy and elegant. :) Eric

August 17th, 2007, 01:39 AM	#4
Eric Shepherd Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 404	Good point. The all-in-one apps like you mentioned, combined with a good background collection are probably all that most people would need. The real trick is knowing when to stop adding effects, colors, fonts, etc. Usually less is more with design. I assume they still make the CD Stomper Pro. I bought mine back in 1998 and it came with software for designing the disc labels and the jewel box inserts. I think I paid $25 or $30 for it back then.

August 17th, 2007, 05:44 AM	#5
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	I use the free application from Meritline. I build all my graphics in Animation:Master and then put them it the app as jpgs. It works out well because it handles the print formatting for the Meritline photo glossy covers that I use. Using graphic authoring tools would do the same. Or, there are templates for a couple of the document processing apps such as MS Word that you can use that are provided by the paper mfgrs.

August 17th, 2007, 06:10 AM	#6
Harm Millaard Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 1,832	I exclusively use Pixelmixer in combination with Photoshop CS3. Look here: http://www.pixelpops.com/

August 17th, 2007, 08:11 AM	#8
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Paper labels on DVD's are not a good idea as over time they can cause a lot of playback problems by making the DVD spin unstable. Get an Epson or Canon printer and print directly on Ink Jet printable DVD's. Epson comes with a printer program and will also allow import of image too. Ron Evans

August 17th, 2007, 06:41 PM	#10
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,220	Ooops!!! Yes I have now read again!! I use Nero Cover designer too. Ron Evans