Tools
Free CD sleeve template
Put your title on the front and your tracklist on the back, print one sheet, and fold a paper CD sleeve that needs no glue.
Short answer
This free CD sleeve template prints a paper sleeve with a 126 mm square pocket for a 120 mm CD. Your title goes on the front and a numbered tracklist on the back. Print it at 100% on US Letter, cut on the grey line, fold on the dashes, and wrap the side flaps around. No glue needed.
Prints one sleeve on US Letter at true size. In the print dialog choose 100% or Actual size.
For Sam, from Alex
Songs for the Long Way Home
For Sam, from Alex
Songs for the Long Way Home
For Sam, from Alex
- 01Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
- 02September - Earth, Wind & Fire
- 03Dancing Queen - ABBA
- 04Electric Feel - MGMT
- 05Lovely Day - Bill Withers
- 06Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
- 07Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
- 08Just Like Heaven - The Cure
- 09Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves
- 10Linger - The Cranberries
- 11Harvest Moon - Neil Young
- 12Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
A paper CD sleeve is the quickest way to give a burned disc a proper cover. This CD sleeve template sizes everything for you: the front panel takes a photo or a colour block with your title, the back panel takes the songs, and the side flaps print in the accent colour so they frame the back once folded.
How do you fold a CD sleeve?
A paper CD sleeve folds in 6 steps: print at actual size, cut the outline, score three fold lines, fold the back panel up, wrap the side flaps around, and slide the CD in.
- 01Print at actual sizePress Print sleeve, choose US Letter, set the scale to 100% or Actual size, and turn on Background graphics. Check that the bar on the sheet measures 30 mm.
- 02Cut along the grey lineCut around the whole outline with scissors or a craft knife, including the two angled flap ends and the half-circle thumb notch on the back panel.
- 03Score the three fold linesRun a dry ballpoint pen or a butter knife along a ruler over each dashed line: the line between the front and back panels and the two lines where the side flaps meet the front.
- 04Fold the back panel up behind the frontLay the sheet printed side down and fold the back panel up onto the front panel along the middle fold. The thumb notch should now be at the top.
- 05Wrap the side flaps aroundFold each coloured side flap over the edge of the back panel and press it flat. The flaps hold the two panels together, so no glue or tape is needed.
- 06Slide the CD in from the topInsert the disc through the open top edge, label side toward the front. Use the thumb notch to pull it out again.
What size is a paper CD sleeve?
A paper CD sleeve from this template has a 126 mm (4.96 in) square pocket, about 3 mm wider on each side than a 120 mm CD. A standard CD is 1.2 mm thick, and that room lets it slide in and out without catching.
| Part | Millimetres | Inches |
|---|---|---|
| Front panel (the pocket) | 126 × 126 mm | 4.96 in square |
| Back panel | 125 × 126 mm | 4.92 in × 4.96 in |
| Each side flap | 14 mm wide | 0.55 in |
| Flat sheet, cut out | 154 × 252 mm | 6.06 in × 9.92 in |
| The CD inside | 120 mm across | 4.72 in |
The back panel is 1 mm narrower than the front so the flaps wrap around it without buckling. For jewel case inserts, spines and pixel sizes, see the full CD cover size guide.
What paper is best for a CD sleeve?
The best paper for a CD sleeve you are giving away is a bright white 28 to 32 lb (105 to 120 gsm) paper or a light cardstock, which feels sturdier and keeps dust off the disc. Everyday copy paper works for a test. Matte paper hides fingerprints better than gloss. If your printer struggles with card, feed one sheet at a time through the rear or manual slot if it has one.
Darker palettes print heavier ink coverage. Give an inkjet print a few minutes to dry before you score the folds, or the ink can crack along the crease.
Finishing the mixtape
To finish a mix CD, check the songs fit in 80 minutes with our playlist length calculator before you burn, then paste its numbered list into the tracklist box above. Want a jewel case instead? The CD case template prints a front insert and a tray card with spines. Our guide to making a mixtape covers choosing and ordering the songs.
No burner at home? We’ll burn your playlist to a custom CD mixtape, test-play it, and post it in a paper sleeve or a jewel case.
Questions people ask
What size is a CD paper sleeve?
A CD paper sleeve needs a pocket a little bigger than the 120 mm (4.72 in) disc. Our template makes a 126 mm (4.96 in) square pocket, which leaves about 3 mm of room on each side.
How do you make a CD sleeve out of paper?
To make a CD sleeve out of paper, print the template at 100%, cut around the outline, fold the back panel up behind the front, then wrap the two side flaps around the back. The sleeve stays closed on three sides without glue.
How do you fold a CD sleeve without glue?
A CD sleeve folds shut without glue when its flaps wrap around the outside of the other panel rather than tucking inside. On our template the side flaps on the front panel fold around the back panel and hold it in place.
What paper is best for a CD sleeve?
The best paper for a CD sleeve is a 28 to 32 lb (105 to 120 gsm) paper or a light cardstock, which folds cleanly and protects the disc better than copy paper. Very heavy card can crack at the folds, so score it first.
Will a paper sleeve scratch a CD?
A plain paper sleeve is gentle on a CD, but grit trapped inside can mark the playing side. Keep the shiny side facing the back panel and slide the disc in and out straight rather than dragging it.
Can I fit a tracklist on a CD sleeve?
A CD sleeve can hold a tracklist: the back panel of this template prints your title and a numbered tracklist, in one column for short lists and two or three columns for long ones.