Just a footnote: the cost to DIY (blank CDs, jewel cases, Neato label stock and ink jet cartridges) is going to cost you somewhere around $2 per CD. I know because that has been my cost to get materials in the door for the past 5-6 years. Again, the biggest burden is the ink and paper materials. A set of ink jet cartridges for my Epson printer is around $60-$70. They drain fast when printing booklets, inserts and CD labels

The price fluctuates if you are printing directly on top of the CD (either ink jet or what's that other laser technology... I forgot what it's called). And then factor in the time to burn and print (let's say a 8 hours to do a hundred pieces). And also misprints. Your printer doesn't print properly and you need to do a clean and align (grrrr). Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it but I suppose it might be if you need smaller runs. At least you're in control of the process and can roll your own when you need to.

Oh and don't be surprised if you order bulk quantities of jewel cases and many are scratched or broken.

It's never easy is it

Right on, Larry! the price point I look for is about $2.50/CD or less - but Joe has the right idea - sometimes you start small and work your way up - the 'profit' from the first batch pays for a larger next batch, and so on - assuming you don't saturate your market, you can make a little bit of coin. Of course you have to figure in studio time, equipment, supplies, etc. and your profit margin shrinks - but that's why we all have home studios, right?

I've got one of those newer Epson printers that will print directly on the CD and it works great and prints reasonably quick. I'm not sure what the ink's costing me though, probably a bundle. So it may not be worth it in the end. Shrink wrapping is another hurdle, or at least one I haven't figured out how to do yet. If some enterprising young guy came up with a good, quick, cheap way for people like us to shrink wrap our own stuff, he could sure make a lot of money.

ORIGINAL: Joe Bravo

I've got one of those newer Epson printers that will print directly on the CD and it works great and prints reasonably quick. I'm not sure what the ink's costing me though, probably a bundle. So it may not be worth it in the end. Shrink wrapping is another hurdle, or at least one I haven't figured out how to do yet. If some enterprising young guy came up with a good, quick, cheap way for people like us to shrink wrap our own stuff, he could sure make a lot of money.

I honestly think shrinkwrapping is a waste of time and money if all you're going to do is hand them out to friends or sell a few at shows. Shrinkwrapping is simply an anti-theft solution for retail sales. I suppose a shrink-wrapped CD looks fresher

There are a lot of creative packaging options. Check out Uline for some interesting packaging options.

Wow, everyone, thanks for all the great input.

Got to thinking about a couple more questions, specifically, what are "needs" as I do this. Do I "need" to have a bar code on my CD's? Do I "need" to register them somehow with CDDB? Do I "need" to have the words "copyright 2007" on both the CD and the cover somewhere? How about words like "produced by" or the cost per CD? I have a hard time knowing what's optional and what's necessary; any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Edit: One more thing: What's "4-color"? Is that the same as full-color? (I assume not)

ORIGINAL: samhoff

Wow, everyone, thanks for all the great input.

Got to thinking about a couple more questions, specifically, what are "needs" as I do this. Do I "need" to have a bar code on my CD's? Do I "need" to register them somehow with CDDB? Do I "need" to have the words "copyright 2007" on both the CD and the cover somewhere? How about words like "produced by" or the cost per CD? I have a hard time knowing what's optional and what's necessary; any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Edit: One more thing: What's "4-color"? Is that the same as full-color? (I assume not)

DiscMakers will do all that, but you best be sure you dont have ANY samples etc that are owned by another, or require you to mention them on your work, bla bla. I think you have to sign a IPR form to get what you are talking about. I have an IPR form here, if you need to know what its all about.

4 color would be how many colors used in printing. Just so you know, alot of printing companies that do magizines do 4 color. It wont be "only 4 colors" that you see, because blending of course makes other colors.

Thanks for that input, but I am wondering what to do now that (it looks like) I'm going to be the one burning the CD's and making my own covers etc.

Sam

I made my own covers for a CD I did just to pass around to friends. Just be sure you get gloss paper, and use something at allows you to print exact dimensions. Best to mesure an old cover of a cd yourself, most websites are way off in what they say. You will mess up a few times, so just print light greay squares untill you get it perfect, then print the real thing (to save high ink costs). (BTW, I used Fastone Image Veiwer - free).. As to doing your own bar codes, I have no idea, but prob easier to just get some stickers with the price to put on the case itself.

I've got a favorites folder called "CD Selling" that I filled with links when I was searching around several months ago concerning the same topics. These were the links that did me the most good:

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/sellonline1.htm

http://www.cdbaby.net/resources/barcode.htm

http://www.cdbaby.net/submit.htm

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory/cdmanufacturers.htm

https://www.harryfox.com/index.jsp

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/

And Larry's right about the shrink wrap thing. If they're just for friends or promos there's no need to shrink wrap. Only if you intend to sell in stores. Even CDBaby doesn't require shrink wrapping. Actually, from what I understand though, they're supposed to shrink wrap the CD's themselves if they get an order from a retail record store of your CD through their ditributor (Super D).

I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but Diskmakers also does short runs. In fact, you can get 100 replicated for only $194. (Color insert, Thin Jewel Case). This pricing looks a lot better than the other Short Run site mentioned.

http://duplication.discmakers.com/mcm/discmakers/index.jsp