Optical disc packaging is the packaging that accompanies CDs, DVDs, and other formats of optical media. Most packaging is rigid or semi-rigid and designed to protect the media from scratches and other types of exposure damage.

Jewel case

A jewel case is the original compact disc case that has been used since the compact disc was first released in 1982. It is a three-piece plastic case, measuring 142 mm × 125 mm × 10 mm, which usually contains a compact disc along with the liner notes and a back card. Two opposing transparent halves are hinged together to form the casing, the back half holding a media tray that grips the disc by its hole. All three parts are made of injection-molded polystyrene.

The front lid contains two, four, or six opposing tabs to keep any liner notes in place. The liner notes typically will be a 120 mm × 120 mm booklet, or a single 242 mm × 120 mm leaf folded in half. In addition, there is usually a back card, 150 mm × 118 mm, underneath the media tray and visible through the clear back, often listing the track names, studio, copyright data and other information. The back card is folded into a flattened "U" shape, with the sides being visible along the ends (often referred to as the spine) of the case. The ends usually have the name of the release and the artist, and often label or catalog information printed on them, and are designed to be visible when the case is stored vertically, 'book-style'.

The back media tray snaps into the back cover, and is responsible for securing the disk. In its center is a circular hub of teeth which grip the disc by its hole. This effectively suspends the disk in the middle of the container, preventing the recording surface from being scratched. Originally, the media tray was constructed of a flexible black polystyrene, but many newer trays use a more fragile transparent polystyrene. This allows the reverse of the back card, which is usually used for additional artwork, to be visible.

Jewel cases are occasionally used for DVDs as well as CDs, but generally not for those that contain major film releases. Blank Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD media are also most commonly sold in standard-width jewel cases as of early 2007.

The success of the CD jewel case design stems, in part, from its common form factor. Given the restriction to a common form, manufacturers have sought to compete on cost (rather than via product variation). A form of destructive competition has followed. Although the original 1980s and 1990s CD jewel case were of a higher quality and stiffer design, most jewel cases on the market today are considerably lighter and less durable than the original design. In part, this has been to cater to automated packing machines that prefer lighter boxes. In the worst cases, the rear cover is so spongy, it may be easily bent by hand. Dissatisfaction with lower quality cases provided by recording companies has produced a market for higher quality replacement cases.