A Digipak is a sort of book style outer blinding, which is usually made from card store or paperboard. The style of a digipak can open side ways or upwards, this depends on the style that is intended. A digipak also contains plastic trays that are inserted, these hold the Chosen DVD/CD. Digipak are most commonly used for CD, there are usually created for special editions, such as a performers special anniversary. An example of a digipak can be seen below -
Jewel case
A jewel case is the most traditional method of selling a CD. They are different to Digipak for a number of reasons. Firstly they use much more plastic that is intended to protect the inside of the case. The plastic is see through so the inside content can be seen. A jewel case opens up with only to sides inside, This is different to a digipak because they can open with many sides folding out. An example of a jewel case can be seen below -
Pros
There are many benefits of using a digipak rather than a traditional jewel case, these can be seen listed below -
- Digipak enable artists to have multiple pages in there digipak, this allows them to illustrate art that is related to them. They can also have multiple images of the band/artists which is used in many digipak.
- The production of digipak can also be beneficial evronmentally. this is because they are prodomently made from card or paper board, many recycled materials can also be used.
- Digipak use 60% less plastic than jewel cases.
Cons
There are however some disadvantages of digipak, which are listed below -
- Digipak are traditionally more expensive the make when it comes to production, which effects the cost when a buyer comes to purchase the item.
- They can also be very easy to damage, this is due to the fact that they are either made from paperboard or card, over time rare and tare will form if not properly looked after, however The material can be coated in UV coating which slow down the process of rare and tare.
Overall digipak are very popular in the music industry today, I think this is down to both commercial and productive reasons, Less plastic is needed and in some cases not at all, this is beneficial because the cost of materials is cheaper, also the less plastics are used is more beneficial to the environment. They are also very artistic which allows the artists to express certain themes of the band. They are more appealing to customers as well because of the artistic feel.
I think if there was a genre of music that would not favour them, it would be classical music. Are think this is because the genre of music is not necessary about certain themes like band art and pictures of the artists, it is more about the music, so this genre tends to use jewel case instead.
