Best 3 Free DVD Cover Makers You Can Use Online & Offline

Many of us have experienced the situation of burning a video to a DVD, only to then place it in a blank, generic case. Or worse, you print a rushed, pixelated cover that doesn't do your content justice. A good DVD cover isn't just about looks. It creates a strong first impression, helps organize your collection, and adds a personal touch to your disc. The cover is the first thing people see; that's why a DVD cover maker is essential. This post will cover top free DVD cover maker tools. These accessible tools enable you to create DVD covers without the need for premium software. We will also provide tips to help you create stunning DIY DVD covers.

• Part 1. Why Choose a Free DVD Cover Maker?
• Part 2. Top 3 Free DVD Cover Makers: A Detailed Look
• Part 3. Bonus: DVD Creator
• Part 4. Tips and Tricks for Stunning DIY DVD Covers

Part 1. Why Choose a Free DVD Cover Maker?

A free DVD cover maker lets you create custom DVD covers without investing in expensive software. Plus, since there's no cost involved, you can experiment with different styles, layouts, and designs. Here are some reasons to choose a free option over premium ones:

• Cost-Effective Creativity: Free options enable you to explore your creative ideas without incurring expenses. Many free tools provide access to essential features that can still produce visually impressive results.

• User-Friendly Interfaces: Free options are often built for beginners, featuring simple UI. These tools can make the process accessible even to those with no graphic design experience.

• Variety of Templates and Customization Options: Many free options offer a variety of templates for different genres and themes. In addition to templates, these tools often provide basic customization options, such as image uploads.

• Quick and Convenient: Free options are made to make the process fast and simple. These tools allow you to complete a project in just a few minutes.

Part 2. Top 3 Free DVD Cover Makers: A Detailed Look

Canva Free Album Cover Maker

Best for: Non-professional users, casual designers, and content creators.

Canva's Free Album Cover Maker is a web-based graphic design tool for creating covers for albums and DVDs. Though it is intended for album artwork, you can repurpose it to create a DVD menu cover. In addition to pre-designed templates, you can also create your own DVD cover. You can use the thousands of elements, stock photos, graphics, and text available. However, there's a catch: Most of the templates are locked behind the Pro version.

KEY FEATURES:

• Thousands of designed templates are available across genres.

• Access to numerous elements, stock photos, graphics, text, etc.

• Flexibility to save DVD cover projects both locally and in the cloud.

• Adjustable template cover dimensions to fit standard DVD cover sizes.

Unique Insight:

Though it's labeled as an album cover maker, Canva's versatility allows it to work as a cover maker. This means you can use this tool as your online free DVD cover maker. By setting the right dimension paired with your creative designs, you can make perfectly sized covers.

Want to turn your photos into a Canva slideshow? Here's the guide!

GIMP

Best for: Graphic designers, artists, and professional users.

GIMP, short for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a graphic design and image manipulation software. It supports various editing functions, including digital art creation, graphic design, image composition, and more. This professional DVD cover creator allows you to create DVD covers from scratch. It's highly customizable and supports complex design tasks. However, its complex interface may pose a challenge for non-expert graphic design users.

KEY FEATURES:

• Offers many of the same advanced tools found in expensive software.

• Multi-layer editing with masks, blending modes, and transparency options.

• Hundreds of community-created plugins and scripts extend its functionality.

• Completely free to use for personal or commercial projects, including DVD covers.

Unique Insight:

GIMP is a custom DVD cover maker that offers a pro-level design without a price tag. It is a great tool for those who want to invest time to learn the interface. Upon mastery, you can create high-resolution, print-ready DVD covers, all from scratch.

GraphicsFamily Free Black and Red DVD Cover Design Set

Best for: Advanced editor and professional users.

The GraphicsFamily Free Black and Red DVD Cover Design Set is a free online DVD cover maker. It is a downloadable, pre-designed template that allows you to create professional DVD covers. This DVD cover maker enables you to customize your design with text, images, layouts, and more. It works perfectly for those who prefer ready-made templates rather than building a DVD cover. Now, a small heads-up: This download only includes one DVD cover design.

KEY FEATURES:

• Designs are built-in high resolution, making them perfect for printing on DVD covers.

• Templates are free to download and use, even in commercial projects.

• Several pre-designed professional templates for elevating DVD packaging.

• The template is provided in PSD, allowing for full customization using Photoshop.

Unique Insight:

This GraphicsFamily template bridges the gap between amateur and professional design. It offers a ready-to-edit DVD cover that appears to have been designed by a professional graphic designer. It's ideal for those who want a strong visual impression without spending time on design.

Part 3. Bonus: DVD Creator

Once you've designed a stunning DVD cover, the next step is turning your digital content into a physical product.Blu-ray Master's DVD Creator allows you to finalize your project and create professional-looking discs with custom menus and high-quality video. It enhances your presentation with customizable menus, background music, subtitles, and chapter creation.

If you're creating a personal collection or distributing a creative project, DVD Creator, picked by Blu-ray Master, is what you need. It bridges the gap between cover design and the actual DVD creation process. It ensures your DVDs look professional and play smoothly and beautifully, too.

Part 4. Tips and Tricks for Stunning DIY DVD Covers

Leverage Templates as a Starting Point

Using pre-made templates saves time and ensures the cover meets the sizing and layout guidelines. Regardless of the tool you're using, templates give you a design framework with proper dimensions. From there, you can customize colors, images, and text to suit your theme.

Pay Attention to Composition and Layout

Good design is all about balance. Place your main title slightly off-center and balance it with visuals on the opposite side. Also, leave enough margin space around the edges to prevent content from getting cut off during printing.

Maintain Consistent Theme

Use a consistent color palette, font, and imagery style throughout the front, spine, and back. This consistency reinforces your brand or story and helps the DVD stand out from the crowd. Additionally,create a DVD menu that complements your DVD cover theme for a cohesive result.

Proofread Everything Carefully

Double-check all text for grammar, spelling, and formatting. Ask a friend or colleague to review it as well. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might overlook. An error-free design enhances credibility and looks more professional.

Consider Your Printing Options

• Home Printing vs. Professional Printing Services:

Home printers can work well for basic covers if you have high-quality settings and good paper. However, professional printing services offer better color accuracy, precise cutting, and higher-quality materials.

• Paper Quality and Finish Can Impact the Final Look:

Glossy or photo paper enhances color vibrancy, giving your cover a premium look. Meanwhile, matte finishes offer a softer, more elegant touch. Avoid regular printer paper, as it lacks the durability of a proper DVD case.

• Test Print First:

Before printing your final version, run a draft on plain paper to check. This lets you spot any issues without wasting expensive paper or ink. It ensures everything lines up perfectly when it's time to insert into the DVD case.

Think Beyond the Front Cover

Create a full wraparound DVD cover that includes the spine and back. The spine helps identify the DVD when shelved. Meanwhile, the back cover can include valuable content, such as a synopsis, credits, and track listings. Have spare time? Explore the top-rated DVD burners available here.

Wrapping up

Free DVD cover makers offer a cost-effective way to enhance the presentation of your DVDs. With so many accessible tools available, anyone can design custom covers that leave a lasting impression. We encourage you to explore these recommended tools and let your creativity shine. Once your design is complete, take the final step with DVD Creator by Blu-ray Master. A trusted solution to burn your content to disc with custom menus and high-quality output. Start creating your perfect DVD cover today!