Making an Indie Press Pack

Sending CD-Rs

Regarding home burned CD-R packaging: you might think you don’t have to worry about the overwrap so you’re lucky. However, you’ve actually got a lot more to worry about!

Manufactured CDs in general have all the band’s information already printed on the CD; and this has most likely been checked and re-checked during the manufacturing process so it is most likely to be all correct. (But make sure to include additional info on the press sheet

But if you are making your own CD-Rs, then you must remember to put all pertinent info on the actual CD itself. Whether it’s one of those “stick-on” CD-labels they sell at Office Depot, a CD, or handwritten on the disc itself you absolutely do not want to forget to put your information on the actual CD-R. Don’t rely on a separate piece of paper only for your important information. Murphy’s Law definitely reigns with CD Packages… assume the CD and paper info will get separated!

Some people also suggest writing the information on the CD Tray, or whatever you are enclosing the CD-R in. Speaking of which, you DO want to enclose the CD-R in something - don’t just throw it in the package where it can rattle around and get scratched. I don’t think it’ll hurt to put a sticker with info on the CD Case, or alternatively write on the paper sleeve if that’s what you’re using.

The information that you include on the CD should not be limited to only the band name and title of the CD. You should also include, your website (if you have one), email, and possibly the names of the songs on the disc. I say possibly, because it can be a pain to write all the tracks on every single disc that you send out. You could, however, print them out on pieces of paper and stick them on the CD case. As a reviewer, I definitely dig it when the tracks are on places other than the actual CD. Why? Well, if I put the CD in my player and the names of the tracks are ONLY on the CD, I can’t tell which song is which without taking the CD out again. This can be very annoying and can prevent me from writing something about a particular track if I don’t know which one it is.

Some people put their phone number and/or address on the CD. You can do that, it won’t hurt. But I’ve never had the need for either of those pieces of info. The website URL and email will be enough.

Speaking of CD-Rs, try and choose ones that at least have HALF a chance of not skipping, and burn them at the lowest speed that you can (1X to 4X speed, I’m not kidding!) This is probably a topic for different article, but don’t skimp on quality. Generic brand CD-Rs are not the way to go.

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