Your cover is your calling card to the record industry and to the consumer... how well you have it designed and the other graphics for your release could well determine your success or failure as a musician.  There are guidelines to help you realize the importance of the graphic design stage in preparing your music for the marketplace. A well designed and attractive cover, along with other detailed information you have included in the packaging, may well determine if the gatekeepers in the music business ever bother to listen to the music contained on the media, and if a music consumer is turned off or on by the cover graphics. It is the best advertisement for your music. Sexton Design works hard to provide the highest quality possible, while keeping these things in mind. We understand and respect that you have spent a long time writing, rehearsing, performing, and recording your music. But we can only design what you, the client, provides us with. Please take some time to consciously consider all the issues listed here...

Front Cover
The name of the artist needs to be clearly visible and written, with a unique logo design, in the top third of the cover. The title of the release needs to be distinguishable from the artist’s name.

Back Cover
What specific type of information is included on the back cover? Label name, catalog number, barcode, song titles/times, contact info, (website URL, email address, MySpace address, Facebook page address, Twitter address, ShoutLife address... and same for any social networking site), production credits, Producer's name, more?) Any graphic images, text and colors used need to be clear and readable.

Label On Disc
What specific information is on the disc itself? Many artists leave the disc blank for 'artistic' reasons, do you wish to make such a statement, or are there more important considerations that you think should be addressed?) The name and release title, as well as graphics present on the cover, need to be present on the CD lable to give the "matching set" feel to yourpackage.

Booklet/Tray Card
Describe the type of booklet used in your packaging. What specific images, and text information need to be included? Some ideas; more credits, thank you’s, lyrics, pictures, etc. The artwork and design needs to be consistent with the rest of the artwork and design of the front and back covers.

Spine
What specific information is on the spine of the CD?  Well, you have the label name/logo, catalog number, artist name,  and release name.

Full package CD Cover design examples... (NOTE: Special thanks to our friend Darren Marlar of www.DarrenMarlar.com for using his cd package in these following examples! No cursing, just comedy... very funny guy!)

PS: If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me!
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