Custom 6 Panel CD Jacket
Six panels is where a CD release stops being packaging and becomes something closer to a booklet. Twelve printed faces, room for full lyrics, photography and extensive credits, and an unfolding action that takes a moment rather than a second. We produce a lot of 6 panel CD jacket work at ZEE Packaging and this is the format for releases with something to say.
Twelve Faces Of Space
A 6 panel CD jacket carries as much as a small booklet.
- Three folds create six panels and twelve printed faces
- Full lyrics fit at a readable type size
- Photography and artwork get proper room to breathe
- Credits, personnel and thanks all sit comfortably
- Artwork can run across several panels as one image
- It still ships flat with no plastic component
Most artists choosing a 6 panel CD jacket have a release where the words matter as much as the music.
Folding Gets Complicated At Six
Three creases behave differently to one.
- Roll fold needs each inner panel progressively narrower
- Accordion fold keeps every panel the same width
- Gatefold with an extra fold opens in stages
- Board caliper must be lighter than on a two panel
- Heavy stock across three creases cracks visibly
- Scoring depth has to be set for the fold sequence
- Roll fold panels nesting inside each other
- Accordion fold opening out concertina style
- Gatefold with an extra panel a staged reveal
- With a disc pocket the disc sliding into an inner face
- With two paperboard trays for a double disc release
- With a spine sitting properly on a shelf
Sizes We Print Regular
Every 6 panel CD jacket is built to your release, though these run often:
- 4.75" x 4.75" folded, the standard format
- 28.5" x 4.75" flat before folding
- 5" x 5" folded for a slightly looser fit
- 4.72" x 4.72" as a jewel case replacement
- 4.75" x 4.75" x 0.2" with a spine
- Custom sizes for a non standard release
Stock And Print
- SBS C1S at 14pt to 18pt, lighter than a two panel needs
- Uncoated stock for a matte record sleeve feel
- Kraft board for a lo fi independent aesthetic
- Matte lamination where durability matters
- Spot UV and foil for limited edition runs
- Rich black builds where artwork runs dark
Caliper is the thing to get right here. Board that feels lovely on a two panel cracks across three folds, so we specify down rather than up.
Materials Worth Choosing
- Recycled board across most grades we run
- FSC certified stock, certificate available on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
- Paperboard trays rather than plastic ones
- Paper inner sleeve instead of poly
- Fully curbside recyclable as one piece
How Your Release Runs With Us
- 100 unit minimum, which suits an album release
- Free proof before anything prints
- Free artwork setup by our own designer
- Physical proof on request, essential for checking the folds
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide with nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Six panel or four?
Six if you have full lyrics and extensive credits. Four is enough for most releases without a lot of text.
How much is a six-panel CD jacket?
Rough estimate is $0.45 to $1.20 per unit plain, $0.70 to $1.80 with lamination and $1.10 to $2.60 with foil at moderate quantity. Volume moves it. Shipping is included in our price. This is estimate only, so ask our team for a exact quote.
Will the folds crack?
Not at the right caliper. Heavy board across three creases is what causes cracking, so we specify lighter stock.
Roll fold or accordion?
Accordion opens flat and shows everything at once. Roll fold gives a sequence of reveals as it unfolds.
Can it hold two discs?
Yes, with two trays or pockets on separate panels. It suits double albums well.
Does the artwork span panels?
It can, and we set it across the folds so the image runs continuously when opened.
Is it fully plastic free?
With paperboard trays and a paper sleeve, yes. That is what most independent labels ask for now.
