CD Cover Mockup
What's inside
- Applications Photoshop
- File Types PSD
- License Free (see author's terms)
- Author Themeraid
This CD cover mockup is a quick way to show a vinyl sleeve without a photo shoot.
Cover artists and musicians tend to get the most out of files like this. One thing worth knowing: glossy packaging picks up highlights over your art; reduce the highlight layer if your logo gets washed out.
A realistic render saves a round of physical samples, which for packaging can take weeks.
Good for
- A vinyl sleeve
- An album cover
- A CD case insert
This is a free file from Themeraid. When you click download you’ll land on their page to grab it.
What you can edit in this CD Cover Mockup
The PSD is layered, so you can change:
- Label or box artwork, placed through the smart object
- Base colour of the pack
- Shadows
- Gloss and highlight layers
Add your design to the CD Cover Mockup
- Build the label or box art flat, panel by panel.
- In the Layers panel, find the layer with the small smart object icon and double-click it.
- Place your design, hide the sample artwork, save, and go back to the main file.
- Check each visible side so the panels line up.
- Export with File › Export › Export As: JPG for sharing, PNG for the web.
Another tip: check barcodes, weights and small legal text at 100% zoom. Packaging clients always look for those.
Where the CD Cover Mockup works best
- Make two or three colour versions of an album cover and let the client pick.
- Show a CD case insert on your online shop or product page.
- Share a vinyl sleeve on Instagram, Behance or Dribbble with a real-looking preview.
Before you download
- Made by Themeraid. The download size and format are listed on their page.
- Check the licence on the author’s page. Personal and commercial terms differ from file to file.
- Some free mockups ask for credit when you post them. A short line in your caption is enough.
- Built for Adobe Photoshop. A recent CC version handles the smart objects best.
Need a different angle? The cd mockups category has plenty more free PSD files.
Questions about this mockup
What licence does it come with?
It's free to download, but the licence belongs to Themeraid. Check their page: it states whether commercial use is allowed and if attribution is needed.
How do I add my design?
Open the file in Photoshop, double-click the smart object thumbnail, paste or place your artwork in the new tab, save it (Ctrl/Cmd + S) and close. The main file updates on its own.
Which Photoshop version do I need?
A recent Photoshop CC version is best. Older versions can open the file but sometimes have trouble with smart objects and effects.
Can I change the packaging colour?
Usually yes. There is normally a colour layer under the design smart object, so you can change the base colour without touching your artwork.
Why does the download open another website?
We list free files from designers around the web and link to the original page, so Themeraid gets the visit and you get the file exactly as they published it.
