How to Make a CD Sleeve from Paper

Download Article

Co-authored by Renee Day

Last Updated: November 1, 2024 Approved

Download Article

Trying a Traditional Sleeve

|

Using an Envelope Style Fold

|

Expert Q&A

|

Things You'll Need

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Trying a Traditional Sleeve

Download Article

1
Put a CD or DVD at the top of the paper. Lay a piece of paper in front of you in the portrait position. The short sides should be at the top and bottom. Then, place your CD, or DVD, at the top of the paper. As it's in the portrait position, the top side will be shorter. Align the top of the disk with the top edge.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- This step determines the size of the sleeve.
2
Fold the vertical sides inwards. Keep the disk where it is. Fold the right vertical side of the paper to the center of the disk. Then, fold the left side to the center too. Fold the paper as if you were trying to wrap the disk inside.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- The folds won't cover the entirety of the disk.
Advertisement
Take the disk out, making sure not to disrupt the folds. Crease the edges so they're flat and defined once the disk is removed. The paper should be able to hold its shape on its own.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Place the disk in the center of the paper and fold the bottom side upwards. Put the disk back on top of the paper so that it sits on the folds. Bend the bottom horizontal edge up to the disk in the center. The top of this fold should extend just above the central hole of the disk. Remove the disk once you're finished.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Make the fold stronger by creasing it with your thumb, making the edge flat and defined.
Rotate the paper so the fold you just made is furthest away from you. Bend the fold upwards. Pull the inside edges out, so the fold resembles an arrow. The parts of excess paper on the sides are called 'ears.'^{[5]
X
Research source}
Hold the ears you've just created. Fold them in along the vertical edge back into the original fold. You should see a paper pocket when both ears are creased back.^{[6]
X
Research source}
Rotate the paper so the unfolded side is farthest away from you. Fold both of the top corners back in. The point of these corners shouldn't reach the inner folds of the sleeve. Then, put the disk in the pocket you made earlier.^{[7]
X
Research source}
8
Fold the top of the sleeve down and tuck it into the pocket. Fold the top side of the sleeve down. The two corners you made will act as latches. Fold them into the pocket as well, over the disk.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You can use a marker to label the other side of the sleeve with whatever is on the disk.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using an Envelope Style Fold

Download Article

1
Lay the paper out on a flat surface and fold the top left side down. Put your piece of paper on a table in the landscape position. A long side should be closest to you. Grab the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the lower edge, approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the bottom right corner. This is your first fold.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Run your thumb along the curved edge of this fold to flatten it down.
2
Fold the top right edge to the horizontal edge of the first fold. Grab the top right corner of the paper. Crease it inwards so that the corner touches the vertical edge of the first fold.
- The top of the paper will now resemble a pyramid. This is your second fold.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
Open out the first fold. You will see a long crease down the middle of the paper. Turn the paper 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that the short edge is facing you.^{[11]
X
Research source}
Grab the top right corner of the paper. Then, fold the corner to the center. The top edge of this fold will align perfectly with your second fold. Flatten down the crease with your thumb. This is your third fold.^{[12]
X
Research source}
5
Crease your first fold back in, then flip the paper over. Keep the paper in the same position. Then, re-do your first fold. It will naturally fall back into its position due to the pre-existing crease.
- Once you've flattened all the folds, turn the paper over so the flat edge of the first fold is closest to you.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
A small triangle remains unfolded. Fold this triangle onto the back of the paper. This is your fourth fold. Then, re-orient the paper 90 degrees counter-clockwise so the short side of the folded paper is closest to you.^{[14]
X
Research source}
7
Fold the bottom of the paper upwards, stopping at the fourth fold. Take a note of where the bottom of the fourth fold is. Grab the bottom of the paper and fold it upwards so that the crease aligns with the bottom of your fourth fold. You will now have made a pocket, with a small triangle pointing upwards.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Flatten all the edges so that they're defined and sharp.
Slide a disk into the paper fold. It should fit snugly. Then, fold the triangle at the top of the sleeve down over the disk. This will keep the disk in place.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I add decorations on the paper sleeve?

Renee Day
Crafting Expert
Renee Day is a Crafting Expert and Content Creator based in Michigan. She is a master of paper crafts, and also specializes in brush lettering, journaling, embossing, stamping, stenciling, doodling, and crocheting. Her Instagram account, thediyday, has over 300K followers. She published a book called Creative Journaling: A Guide to Over 100 Techniques and Ideas for Amazing Dot Grid, Junk, Mixed-Media, and Travel Pages. The book contains 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages to creating dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals. She also created Chunky Letter Calligraphy, a 30+ page (PDF) all about lettering. She runs a thriving Amazon Storefront, where she curates craft supply collections for her followers. She previously worked as a photographer, capturing engagement sessions, weddings, boudoir, and landscapes. She received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Renee Day

Crafting Expert

Expert Answer

You can add or write your own designs like little doodles, geometric shapes, or even just a fun border around the edges. You could also write something special on it, maybe the name of the CD or a little message for the person receiving it if you're giving it away as a gift. You can even glue in a decorative paper. Pick a pattern that you like and then lay the envelope on top of it and trace the shape.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Both ways look similar. Is there another way to make a CD sleeve from paper?

Community Answer

Yes, if you know how to make a paper envelope, if you make one large enough it will fit. Or you could make a paper box that is big enough to have a disc in it, you can put a thin tube in the middle and you can have multiple discs in there.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3