Digipaks

   Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold (book-style)made with paper bopard or card, although sometimes they have plastics trays inside holding the CD/DVD attached to the inside. Digipaks are the alternative to jewel cases to be used by major record companies.

   Digipak-style packaging is often used for CD singles or special editions of CD albums and the tall DVD Digipak is used as a premium package for DVDs and DVD sets. Such packaging is less resistant to breaking like normal CD cases (jewel cases) so they tend not to break and crack. Licensed digipak manufacturers such as domestic U.S. printer and disc replicator Oasis Disc Manufacturingrecommend coating the raw printed paper with a protective UV coating enabling them to look more professional like the Plastic jewel cases.

   Although less vulnerable to cracking than a jewel case, the disc tray inside the package remains brittle and is prone to cracking if the package is crushed so most digipaks are fully made of card now replacing the plastic tray which is also more environmentally friendly enabling them to be recycled after use. Digipak-style cases grew in popularity among record labels and recording artists in the 2000s. 

   Before, Digipaks were only available in large quantities. Although now AGI has recently introduced a new product called digipak i-create for the consumer market. Digipak i-create is a web-supported concept that is aimed at music, photo and creative markets enabling web design for manufacturers to pitch the idea to record companies.