CDs/DVDs- how do you present them?

[capturedbybrooke]

Just curious how other photographers are presenting CD's to clients. Plain disc with sharpie writing, a cd label, or lightscribe? Do you create a custom case, order one from a lab, print a photo on an insert? What brand DVD/CD do you think is the best?

And, if you're willing to say, how much do you charge for the disc of images or do you include them in your sessions?

Thanks for your input!

[OsmosisStudios]

I usually have my CDs unlabelled, but create a jewel case insert for the case it comes in.

[snowfalldesigns]

I use labels and put them in a clear slimline case. I will start using lightscribe now that I have my new computer but I have to find the right discs first.
If there is more than one disc, I tie it up with some ribbon like a little present.
My discs are included in the price of the session because I don't sell prints. I'd give you my prices but I've been told they are way too low so they wouldn't be a good reference.

[Jim Poor]

I've tried it all and here are my experiences.

1. Labels. Too easy to wrinkle or get air bubbles in them, even with any number of those "label press" kits. Then, pealing them off isn't clean and you have to start with a whole new disk.

2. Lightscribe, can be elegant, but Lightscribe burners are notorious for etching problems like concentric rings on the disc. I made far too many coasters because of these problems. Also, even the simplest of Lightscribe labels takes about 15 minutes to burn. That's Okay if you are doing the occasional disc, but I sometimes put out 10 or more on a given day.

3. Dymo Discpainter to the rescue! Prints directly to printable discs and out of over 1000 discs I've never had the machine ruin one. I've ruined a couple by printing wrong labels and such, but that's not the machine's fault. I have a mildly complex label that I change the text on from event to event and it prints in about a minute. I also have been getting right around 200 discs per ink cartridge though Dymo estimates only 100. I buy my discs in bulk and my cartridges two at a time. My total cost per disc including disc, ink and jewel is less than $1.00.

[Xposurepro]

DVDs are packaged in metal tins. I let the client pick out 2 photos .. 1 printed on the DVD & the other on the metal tin. Clients can add them onto a print package for an extra $75. However, these are also movie slideshows .. individual image files are not on the disc. An image file CD has a 4 digit price tag on it.

Mine are just regular CD's with Sharpie on them... nothing fancy.

I'm selling the photos, not the CD.

~Eric

[lonni]

I print directly to the disk and add a printed jewel case cover. I present the box wrapped in tissue paper in a white cardboard box, ribbon, tag and depending on what else they ordered i put them in a paper bag also with ribbon and sometimes a silk flower. Alll colour coordinated.

Maxharvad, the packaging goes towards your image so you should always take care with it. Your client probably paid good money for that disk and what are their reactions?

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by lonni

I print directly to the disk and add a printed jewel case cover. I present the box wrapped in tissue paper in a white cardboard box, ribbon, tag and depending on what else they ordered i put them in a paper bag also with ribbon and sometimes a silk flower. Alll colour coordinated.

Maxharvad, the packaging goes towards your image so you should always take care with it. Your client probably paid good money for that disk and what are their reactions?

That's... a LOT of work.

[lonni]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

That's... a LOT of work.

They pay a LOT of money, lol.

I only ever give out disks after they have spent a certain amount on prints, albums canvasses etc. So i am usually packaging a whole bunch of stuff together.

Also that amount of attemtion to detail make the customer feel special, like they are not just another customer, and they always return.

I also mentioned in another post that customers dont always understand the cost assosictaed with photography and if you just hand them their prints etc they are sometiems dissapointed, they have a we paid x amount for this? moment.

With the packaging they are never disspointed. It also adds to my whole business image, plus i tend to be a bit of a perfectionist.

It doent really take that much time anyway.

[ilcavallo]

I create labels with a picture from the shoot on it. Then they go into these sleeves I purchased: Ebony CD Sleeve. I had stickers created with my logo on them to go on CD sleeves and print presentation boxes. The CD gets tied with a ribbon bow.

Disks are included in all my packages except wedding packages.