Need custom CD covers for your corporate presentation or sales tools? Follow these simple CD cover size specifications to create the graphics for an eye-catching and informative CD jacket. And check out other products such as Presentation Folders and Brochures to help market your business. It's easy to produce a professional looking CD cover printed inside and out using whatever software tools you have on your computer. You can start from scratch in any layout program including Microsoft Word, Publisher or PowerPoint as well as traditional graphics programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Just use the simple diagram below to size your file and create any needed bleeds.

CD Cover Size Specifications for Printing

The finished dimensions for the outside of printed CD covers are 4.724 inches square. Many printed designs include bleed. The "bleed area" is an extra 1/8" of space for design elements or backgrounds to extend beyond the finished size of your piece. A CD cover with bleeds is printed slightly oversized (4.974 inches square) and then cut down to size, giving the appearance that the printing "bleeds" off the edge of the cover rather than having a white border. The finished dimensions for the inlay card are not square to accommodate the fold needed to make the spine.

Printed CD Cover Design Tips

When creating your CD cover design file, use these tips:

• Make the document page size equal to the cover size plus the bleed area or 4.974" x 4.974" to be trimmed down to the finished size after printing. If you aren't planning to include bleeds, the bleed area isn't necessary so set the document size to the finished size of 4.724" square.
• Play it safe near the borders. Because cutting may vary ever so slightly, it's a good idea to keep all of your valuable text and logo information within the safe design zone. This zone is the 1/8 inch around the margin of your cover or inlay card.