How to Design Perfect DVD, Blu‑ray & CD Covers with Ashampoo Cover StudioCreating professional-looking DVD, Blu‑ray, and CD covers doesn’t require expensive design software or months of practice. Ashampoo Cover Studio is built to make cover creation fast, precise, and accessible — whether you need a jewel case insert, a full sleeve, or printable disc labels. This guide walks you step‑by‑step through planning, designing, and producing high-quality covers that print and fit perfectly.
Why use Ashampoo Cover Studio
Ashampoo Cover Studio is targeted at users who want reliable, print-ready covers without wrestling with complex graphics tools. Key strengths:
- Built-in templates for a wide range of disc formats and case types.
- WYSIWYG layout and print preview so what you see on screen matches the output.
- Layered design workflow with objects, text, and images that you can move, align, and edit precisely.
- Export and print options with customizable bleed and margins to match printer capabilities.
Step 1 — Plan the project
Start with clarity on scope and deliverables:
- Decide format: DVD, Blu‑ray, CD, jewel case, slim case, or cardboard sleeve.
- Determine quantity and printing method: home inkjet, local print shop, or professional press.
- Gather assets: high‑resolution images (300 DPI for print), logos, track lists, liner notes, and barcode if needed.
- Choose final size and whether you need bleed (extra image area beyond trim to avoid white edges).
Practical tip: For most home and shop printing, design at 300 DPI and include 3–5 mm bleed.
Step 2 — Set up a new project in Ashampoo Cover Studio
- Open Ashampoo Cover Studio and choose “New Project.”
- Select the correct product type (DVD, Blu‑ray, CD) and case template (standard case, slim case, jewel case, etc.). The template sets exact dimensions and safe areas.
- Set resolution to 300 DPI if available and configure bleed (usually 3–5 mm).
Why templates matter: Templates ensure spine widths, disc windows, and fold lines align to physical cases — eliminating common fit errors.
Step 3 — Layout composition and visual hierarchy
Good covers convey the most important information at a glance. Establish a visual hierarchy:
- Primary focal point: main artwork or hero image (front cover).
- Secondary elements: title, artist/film name, star credits, or band name.
- Tertiary details: track listing, credits, barcode, legal text (back cover / spine).
Design tips:
- Use a strong, readable typeface for the title; keep contrast high against the background.
- Keep important text inside the safe area (away from edges and spine folds).
- Use alignment guides and the grid/snap features in Ashampoo to ensure consistent margins.
Example layout flow:
- Front: hero image, title, small tagline.
- Spine: short title, studio/label logo.
- Back: track list, credits, barcode, small artwork or pattern.
Step 4 — Working with images and backgrounds
- Use high‑resolution images and scale them down rather than up to avoid pixelation.
- For photographic covers, crop for drama: central subjects can be offset using the rule of thirds.
- Add subtle gradients or texture overlays for depth; keep them low opacity so they don’t overpower text.
- If you need to extend a background into bleed, use the transform tools to expand the background beyond the trim line.
Color management:
- Design in RGB for most home printers, but if using a pro print shop, ask for CMYK files or convert to CMYK before export. Check colors after conversion, as some bright RGB colors aren’t printable in CMYK.
Step 5 — Typography best practices
- Choose 1–2 typefaces maximum (one for headings, one for body) to maintain unity.
- Use font weights and size contrast to differentiate title, subtitle, and body text.
- Keep line length readable: around 50–75 characters per line for body text on the back cover.
- For small legal text or credits, use a clear sans serif at a minimum readable size (typically 6–8 pt depending on font).
Accessibility: Ensure contrast ratios are high so titles and track lists remain legible under varying lighting.
Step 6 — Using layers, shapes, and effects
Ashampoo Cover Studio supports object layers; use them to:
- Separate background art, disc imagery, text, and logos.
- Lock layers you don’t want to move accidentally.
- Apply drop shadows, outlines, or glows sparingly to enhance legibility on busy backgrounds.
Remember: Effects look different in print — subtlety is key.
Step 7 — Spine and back cover details
Spine:
- Verify spine width matches disc thickness and number of discs. Use the template’s spine guide.
- Keep spine text short and vertically centered.
Back:
- Include the track list with durations (if applicable) and credits.
- Add a barcode if you intend to sell the product (place it within the template’s barcode area).
- Leave space for small logos (studio, distributor, age rating) commonly placed at the bottom.
Step 8 — Disc label design
- Use the template’s disc layout to position center holes and print-safe ring areas.
- Mirror or echo elements from the front cover for consistent branding.
- Keep critical text away from the inner ring where printers may not register perfectly.
If you’ll print labels and affix them to discs, consider the label’s adhesive thickness when aligning artwork.
Step 9 — Proofing and print setup
- Use the program’s print preview with trim and bleed guides visible.
- Print a test on plain paper, cut and fold to check alignment, spine text legibility, and image placement.
- For professional printing, export as high‑quality PDF with crop marks and embedded fonts. Choose CMYK and include bleed.
- Confirm paper stock and finish (matte, gloss, or satin) with your printer — finishes change color saturation and reflectivity.
Checklist before final print:
- All fonts embedded or converted to outlines.
- Images at 300 DPI and CMYK if required.
- Bleed and crop marks included.
- Layers flattened only if requested by the printer.
Step 10 — Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Low‑resolution images: always replace with 300 DPI sources.
- Ignoring bleed: causes white borders after trimming.
- Crowded spine text: keep it minimal; use condensed fonts if necessary.
- Overly decorative fonts for small text: prioritize legibility.
- Not test‑printing: a simple mockup catches alignment and color issues early.
Example workflow (brief)
- Gather assets and choose template.
- Set document to 300 DPI, add 3 mm bleed.
- Place hero image, adjust to bleed, lock layer.
- Add title and spine text, confirm safe area.
- Create back layout with track list and barcode.
- Design disc face, align center and outer rings.
- Proof, print test, export final PDF with crop marks.
Final tips for professional results
- Keep branding consistent across front, spine, back, and disc.
- Use a limited color palette to maintain cohesion.
- When in doubt, simplify — clean designs print better and read faster.
- Maintain editable source files in case you need to change text or update artwork later.
Designing great covers with Ashampoo Cover Studio is mainly about planning, using the program’s templates, and checking print details. With careful attention to resolution, bleed, and typography, you can produce covers that look polished and fit perfectly into cases or sleeves.
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