| Society's growing concern about our eco-systems | | | | or style you require which doesn't appear to be |
| and the consumption of our natural resources has | | | | available it's possible to create a custom die-line to |
| driven the demand for low-plastic and no-plastic | | | | produce your sleeve for a surprisingly low cost. |
| packaging alternatives. This means the writing is | | | | You'll want to research potential vendors to find |
| on the wall for our trusted old friend the plastic | | | | the right style of CD sleeves for your needs and |
| jewel case because CD sleeves made from | | | | ensure they are able to provide a professional |
| renewable resources have emerged on the scene. | | | | product with the environmentally-friendly |
| As derivatives of oil, plastics are being replaced | | | | standards commonly available within the industry, |
| with products made from renewable resources. In | | | | which include: |
| the world of optical disc media, printed paper | | | | * Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified board |
| stock and board stock packaging solutions are | | | | stock or paper stock. 15pt weight is the industry |
| proving to be an excellent combination of quality, | | | | standard. |
| versatility, durability, cost-effectiveness and | | | | * Minimum 30% recycled content contained in the |
| environmental friendliness. | | | | stock. |
| While forest-based products are not free from | | | | * 100% recyclable. |
| concerns over sustainability and management | | | | * Printed using waterless printing technology. |
| practices, you need to look for companies who | | | | * Printed using vegetable based inks. |
| use paper stock and board stock produced under | | | | No matter how environmentally friendly or popular |
| the certification of the Forest Stewardship Council. | | | | the packaging style is, an amateurish appearance |
| The FSC sets international standards for | | | | gives a negative overall impression of your |
| responsible forest management and in the past 13 | | | | product. Make sure your design is equal or better |
| years over 90 million hectares in more than 70 | | | | than similar products on the market. Make the |
| countries have been certified according to FSC | | | | effort to get the design just right. Need graphic |
| standards while several thousand products are | | | | design help? Most quality suppliers should have a |
| produced using FSC-certified wood. | | | | designer on staff or be able to refer you to a |
| CD sleeves made from printed board stock | | | | capable graphics person. |
| provide greater versatility in the number of styles | | | | Make sure that you do your due diligence on |
| and formats available. From a simple single pocket | | | | potential suppliers and always get a written |
| style to multi-paneled and multi-pocketed sleeves, | | | | quotation from at least three different companies. |
| sleeves combine packaging and print into a single | | | | Request samples of their CD sleeves to be |
| product as opposed to traditional jewel cases | | | | certain they can provide you with the quality and |
| which require separate printed inserts in order for | | | | professionalism your product needs to portray. |
| you to brand your product. Sleeves are able to | | | | Simply evaluating a vendor on low cost or fast |
| carry as many discs as required but you can use | | | | delivery won't mean anything if you are delivered |
| additional pockets for inclusion of additional printed | | | | a substandard product - because the quality of |
| materials in the form of folders or even stapled | | | | the product will directly affect consumers opinions |
| booklets. Additionally, if there's a particular format | | | | of you, be that good or bad. |