Canadian CD Packaging Checklist
If you are an indie artist trying to release their own CD, all the little items of business can be overwhelming. Hopefully this indie CD Package checklist will be helpful so you will not only release your CD in style, but with all the correct information!
On the front cover
- Artist name and title of CD.
- Something eye catching, something thematic. A picture of the artist often works best, especially in the beginning
Back of the CD Jacket:
- Number track list and length of each song given (especially if you will be shipping to radio)
- Your copyright notice (indicating the year of production, your name, and the © symbol), also, copyright notice referring to who owns the master recording (indicated with the (P) symbol)
- A statement prohibiting reproduction e.g. "All Rights Reserved. Warning: Unauthorized Reproduction, Copying and Rental of this Recording is Prohibited by Law."
- A bar code which is necessary if distributing to retail outlets (Most manufacturers can supply this)
- The MAPL logo (the Canadian content label as appropriate) if shipping to radio in Canada.
- Logos of any agencies from which you received funding, along with any other sponsor logos.
- The Distributor's name if you have a distribution agreement in place.
- Artist website url (you can leave out the http:// )
- Made in Canada is required by law if you want to export your CD. It must be equal in font size and weight to the artist contact info
- Other info like Producer or other important acknowledgments are nice
Items to print on the Spine
- Your CD title and Artist name - very clearly
- Your catalogue number (if you don't have a label, or you are the label just create a unique number/letter combination)
These items should be printed on the CD itself:
- Artist name and CD title
- The MAPL logo
- Your copyright notice
- The "compact disc" logo should be clearly seen
- Your catalogue number
- "Made in Canada" / "Fabriqué au Canada"
And inside the CD insert:
- If you have space, printing the lyrics out is appreciated for those reviewing or in radio.
- Songwriters, musicians and producers should be clearly indicated for each track.
- Clear copyrights for each song
- Contact info (As much as you can fit or feel comfortable with as an indie artist. Website, Contact e-mail, physical address and phone number are all good to have)
- Acknowledgments and thank you’s
- Production and Studio Information should be clearly indicated.
- Artist website url
In the end you typically want to make the Artist and CD Name clearly stand out. This is especially true for the new artist. You can afford to be obscure later in your career, but in the beginning you need all the help you can get. Think about how your product will be displayed on retail shelves and in pictures on the web and ask yourself or your friends how it will communicate and entice the listener.
Design Resources in Canada
Logos for CD Cover art including MAPL and the proper (c) and (p) symbols.
http://www.predisc.com/logos.htm
Places to consider for Manufacturing:
www.canclone.comJust down the street from Revolution Audio. Superior customer service, speed and highly personable.
http://www.summitsound.com/
Located in Westport, ON - An honest, family owned business who can match prices for duplication with the best of them. Working via shipping is no problem. They also have in house design if needed.
SOUNDSCAPE PRODUCTIONS - www.soundscapeonline.com
Variety of great services including duplication, replication and download cards. Run by musicians for musicians. Ask for Howard and say you were referred by Revolution Audio.
http://duplium.com
A large, established company with an indie focus. Good quality short runs available.
www.predisc.com
Based in BC, these guys have great eco-designs, templates on their website and good prices
Some information was modified from the New Brunswick Sound Initiatives (NBSI) website which was found on www.hiphopcanada.com
