Creating DVD Case labels at DVinfo.net

Chris Sigmon · May 30th, 2006, 07:43 AM

Can some of you share what software you use to create the DVD case artwork for you final wedding deliverable. Is there anything out there that is easier to use than Photoshop for this purpose?

I have tried the Mediaface IV that Neato provides for a small cost, but this seems a little to amateurish and awkard to use.

I do have an old copy (version 5) of Photoshop which I could use. But this seems to be overkill for just the design of the DVD graphics.

Any help is appreciated....

Chris Sigmon

Craig Terott · May 30th, 2006, 07:52 AM

http://www.magicmouse.com/

David Avedikian · May 30th, 2006, 07:53 AM

I tried all that bundled software like Neato and Memorex, but they are all very limited and give the cover an unprofessional look.

I started using Photoshop Elements and it works great! All you have to do is create a template of a DVD cover and use that to frame your design. I use it for the DVD art as well.

Craig Terott · May 30th, 2006, 08:00 AM

I create most of the artwork in Photoshop and use Discus for the layouts and printing. Discus is better and more professional than Neato and Memorex. Neato & memorex are not in the same class IMO.

Tom Tomkowiak · May 30th, 2006, 09:08 AM

I started using Discus (www.magicmouse.com) before the age of DVDs for printing CD labels and jewel case inserts. Now I use it for DVDs & DVD case labels. Great program. Easy to use. Has templates for printing on just about every type of label, with just about every type of printer including the Epson R series printers for printing directly on inkjet printable disks.

With very little skill, the results look very professional.

Photoshop is still needed for editing your images, but Discus does all the fancy work with the text. Try it. You'll like it.

You can download a working copy (both PC & Mac versions) to see if this is the program for you.

Version 3 is the current version, but v4 is just around the corner. The downloads and everything you need to know about Discus v3 & v4 are on the magicmouse website.

Peter Jefferson · May 30th, 2006, 09:11 AM

touch up photos in photoshop and photoimpact (faster for dirty work) and then i use powerpoint to composite the lot.
I do very simple covers as the more intricate and "colourful" the cover is, the more i have to pay for ink..
Also making the covers in a set template allows u to retain a set "flavour" for teh stling of your boxes.

If a client wants to design their own, i let them on the onus that they show me the design and they pay me to do the printing. This is due to licensing issues with some trademarks which the company is tied with

Jaime Espiritu · May 30th, 2006, 09:34 AM

[QUOTE=Chris Sigmon]Can some of you share what software you use to create the DVD case artwork for you final wedding deliverable. Is there anything out there that is easier to use than Photoshop for this purpose?

I have tried the Mediaface IV that Neato provides for a small cost, but this seems a little to amateurish and awkard to use.

I do have an old copy (version 5) of Photoshop which I could use. But this seems to be overkill for just the design of the DVD graphics.

I use some of the DVD cover products from www.pixelpops.com. You can alter them according to your needs.

Rick Steele · May 30th, 2006, 11:15 AM

I use the software that came with the Epson R220 printer. (Epson PrintCD).

Works fine - everything I need.

A.J. Briones · May 30th, 2006, 02:55 PM

photoshop + illustrator.

i tried discus for a few minutes and did not like it. i wasn't free to do what i wanted.

David McKnight · May 30th, 2006, 10:56 PM

I've used a PixelPops.com product called PixelMixer as well as photoshop files from motionism.com

Steven Davis · June 1st, 2006, 07:09 AM

I use photoshop and the memorex layout designer, I print to a Epson 200 straight to disk.

Sean Seah · June 1st, 2006, 10:33 AM

I'm using Photoshop n Canon Pixma CD Label software (Canon printers can print direct on CDs here in Asia).. The results r good as long as the right DVD-R is used. Ritek is one of the better ones.

Chris Day · June 4th, 2006, 12:46 PM

Using Photoshop create a new file at 300dpi @ 3283 pixels x 2244 Pixels. Around the inside of the page create a 2mm bleed using the guides. Then create a vertical guide at 131mm and 143mm. Here you place the spine title. On the front and the rear create and use your own graphics and titles. I use a colour laser printer for printing to do both inside and outside graphics. This is a template that I use all the time. I set it up once and it works perfectly everytime.

Bill Mecca · June 5th, 2006, 07:59 AM

I have an old version of Media Face 2 I think, and it drives me nuts!! the "canvas" is aligned vertically with no apparent way to change it, and when you create or bring in graphics or text you have to rotate so they read properly when printed. But...try checking for typos with your neck bent to the right!( I don't know if later versions corrected this issue but I am not spending money to find out)

so I downloaded their template for Photoshop (I have version 6) looked great except it wouldn't print properly on their forms. It kept grabbing too much paper so it was printing outside the perferations. ARRGGHHH!

So, what I wound up doing was taking each part of the cover in photoshop and cropping and exporting as a .png file, importing into Media Face (no printing problems in that program) inserting it into the form as a front, back and spine graphic, rotating and resizing to align properly. and printing.

A long long road with one last hitch, each time you close and reopen the file it defaults to rotating the graphics vertically, so I have to readjust them each time I want to print.

Since this if for a documentary, I will be exporting the entire thing as a .png file and taking a ride to Kinkos!

May 30th, 2006, 07:43 AM	#1
Chris Sigmon Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 26	Creating DVD Case labels Can some of you share what software you use to create the DVD case artwork for you final wedding deliverable. Is there anything out there that is easier to use than Photoshop for this purpose? I have tried the Mediaface IV that Neato provides for a small cost, but this seems a little to amateurish and awkard to use. I do have an old copy (version 5) of Photoshop which I could use. But this seems to be overkill for just the design of the DVD graphics. Any help is appreciated.... Chris Sigmon

May 30th, 2006, 09:34 AM	#7
Jaime Espiritu Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 154	DVD labels [QUOTE=Chris Sigmon]Can some of you share what software you use to create the DVD case artwork for you final wedding deliverable. Is there anything out there that is easier to use than Photoshop for this purpose? I have tried the Mediaface IV that Neato provides for a small cost, but this seems a little to amateurish and awkard to use. I do have an old copy (version 5) of Photoshop which I could use. But this seems to be overkill for just the design of the DVD graphics. I use some of the DVD cover products from www.pixelpops.com. You can alter them according to your needs.

June 1st, 2006, 07:09 AM	#11
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	I use photoshop and the memorex layout designer, I print to a Epson 200 straight to disk. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

June 5th, 2006, 07:59 AM	#14
Bill Mecca Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 475	I have an old version of Media Face 2 I think, and it drives me nuts!! the "canvas" is aligned vertically with no apparent way to change it, and when you create or bring in graphics or text you have to rotate so they read properly when printed. But...try checking for typos with your neck bent to the right!( I don't know if later versions corrected this issue but I am not spending money to find out) so I downloaded their template for Photoshop (I have version 6) looked great except it wouldn't print properly on their forms. It kept grabbing too much paper so it was printing outside the perferations. ARRGGHHH! So, what I wound up doing was taking each part of the cover in photoshop and cropping and exporting as a .png file, importing into Media Face (no printing problems in that program) inserting it into the form as a front, back and spine graphic, rotating and resizing to align properly. and printing. A long long road with one last hitch, each time you close and reopen the file it defaults to rotating the graphics vertically, so I have to readjust them each time I want to print. Since this if for a documentary, I will be exporting the entire thing as a .png file and taking a ride to Kinkos! __________________ Award-winning Pine Barrens Documentary! Video, Audio, Music & More

May 30th, 2006, 07:52 AM	#2
Craig Terott Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 691	http://www.magicmouse.com/

May 30th, 2006, 07:53 AM	#3
David Avedikian Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35	I tried all that bundled software like Neato and Memorex, but they are all very limited and give the cover an unprofessional look. I started using Photoshop Elements and it works great! All you have to do is create a template of a DVD cover and use that to frame your design. I use it for the DVD art as well.

May 30th, 2006, 08:00 AM	#4
Craig Terott Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 691	I create most of the artwork in Photoshop and use Discus for the layouts and printing. Discus is better and more professional than Neato and Memorex. Neato & memorex are not in the same class IMO.

May 30th, 2006, 09:08 AM	#5
Tom Tomkowiak Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On the NC Crystal Coast Posts: 203	I started using Discus (www.magicmouse.com) before the age of DVDs for printing CD labels and jewel case inserts. Now I use it for DVDs & DVD case labels. Great program. Easy to use. Has templates for printing on just about every type of label, with just about every type of printer including the Epson R series printers for printing directly on inkjet printable disks. With very little skill, the results look very professional. Photoshop is still needed for editing your images, but Discus does all the fancy work with the text. Try it. You'll like it. You can download a working copy (both PC & Mac versions) to see if this is the program for you. Version 3 is the current version, but v4 is just around the corner. The downloads and everything you need to know about Discus v3 & v4 are on the magicmouse website.

May 30th, 2006, 09:11 AM	#6
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	touch up photos in photoshop and photoimpact (faster for dirty work) and then i use powerpoint to composite the lot. I do very simple covers as the more intricate and "colourful" the cover is, the more i have to pay for ink.. Also making the covers in a set template allows u to retain a set "flavour" for teh stling of your boxes. If a client wants to design their own, i let them on the onus that they show me the design and they pay me to do the printing. This is due to licensing issues with some trademarks which the company is tied with

May 30th, 2006, 11:15 AM	#8
Rick Steele Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado USA Posts: 654	I use the software that came with the Epson R220 printer. (Epson PrintCD). Works fine - everything I need.

May 30th, 2006, 02:55 PM	#9
A.J. Briones Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 275	photoshop + illustrator. i tried discus for a few minutes and did not like it. i wasn't free to do what i wanted.

May 30th, 2006, 10:56 PM	#10
David McKnight Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas City, TX Posts: 39	I've used a PixelPops.com product called PixelMixer as well as photoshop files from motionism.com

June 1st, 2006, 10:33 AM	#12
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	I'm using Photoshop n Canon Pixma CD Label software (Canon printers can print direct on CDs here in Asia).. The results r good as long as the right DVD-R is used. Ritek is one of the better ones.

June 4th, 2006, 12:46 PM	#13
Chris Day New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 21	Using Photoshop create a new file at 300dpi @ 3283 pixels x 2244 Pixels. Around the inside of the page create a 2mm bleed using the guides. Then create a vertical guide at 131mm and 143mm. Here you place the spine title. On the front and the rear create and use your own graphics and titles. I use a colour laser printer for printing to do both inside and outside graphics. This is a template that I use all the time. I set it up once and it works perfectly everytime.