Boxes and boxes of CD’s. Too many boxes! …Not enough shelves.
Ever find yourself in this dilemma? Ever wish you could archive your collection for deep storage, or even make it faster to browse and organize, without having to take out a personal loan to buy shelving?
That’s the situation we found ourselves in, and should you find yourself in the same situation -maybe, just maybe this post can help you.
The Problem
I don’t know about you, but reading the tiny font on the side of a CD can get taxing. Sometimes it’s like deciphering an alien language, other times it doesn’t give nearly enough information to tell you what CD it actually is. There has to be a better way to identify the artist or album title without having to get a magnifying glass or flashlight, or having to remove it from the shelf and hold it in the light.
DIY CD Holders
We needed a cheap way to both label and store CD’s for easy browsing and storage. It had to be fast, and brain-dead simple. Bonus points if it also offered a little protection.
If you’ve ever wanted to organize your collection, you know what I’m talking about.
Fortunately, with a little craftwork, you can build a streamlined, customizable system that archives your CDs while keeping them accessible and organized.
It ain’t the prettiest system, but it’s affordable and works.
Materials You’ll Need
- Chipboard/Cardstock: 1mm thick, cut to 5×7 inches. (can buy 1000 for $26)
- Clear Poly Bags: 6×6 inches, open at the top. (1000 for $36)
- Long Nose Stapler: To secure the bag to the chipboard. ($12-20)
- Thermal Sticker Printer + Stickers: For labeling. ($20-30)
- Optional Upgrade: Adhesive plastic J-hook hang tabs (as pegboard hangers). ($20 for 500)
Step-by-Step Construction
- Prepare the Backer Use 5×7 or 6×9 inch pre-cut cardstock or 1mm chipboard. This serves as the backing.
- Attach the CD Sleeve Place the 6×6 clear poly bag at the bottom of the horizontal chipboard. Staple 2-3 times along the top-inside of the flap to attach the bag to the board. The CD slides into the bag, held securely. You can staple one in the middle of the inside if the looseness bothers you.
- Labeling Space The upper portion of the chipboard remains free. Use this space to:
- Write album details (artist, title, year).
- Assign an ID if using a spreadsheet or dat
- Apply a thermal sticker with printed information for a clean, professional look.
- Organize Like a Library
- Sort holders alphabetically by artist or album.
- Group by genre for browsing.
- Number each holder and maintain a catalog (spreadsheet or Discogs entry ID) for quick reference.
If you don’t want to sort them, you can simply assign a number to each backer and enter it and the CD artist/title into a spreadsheet. This sheet would be used to find a CD. You can make these ID’s as you go to save time.
Starting with 1, you simply number as you shelf your CD’s, labeling the backer, entering the CD to your sheet, and placing on the shelf or pegboard in order as you go.
Optional Upgrade: Hanging System
For collectors who want display flexibility and are tired of lugging around shelves:
- Attach a small plastic J-hook adhesive piece to the top center of the chipboard.
- This allows holders to hang on pegboards, creating a wall-mounted “library shelf” effect.
- Perfect for showcasing rare or favorite albums while keeping them accessible.
Optional Downgrade: Use Chipboard to Create Sections
Alternatively, if you do have a shelf and want to simply separate or “bookmark” favorite CD’s, you can shelf your CD’s normally and slide the 5×7 chipboard in between, effectively bookmarking and separating genres, artists, or your own custom categories. This is by far the simplest way to organize your collection, and all you do is apply your sticker to the exposed part and slider ‘er in.
- Section off genres, artists, custom categories
- Use as alphabetized labels, indicating where A, B, C, D.. etc. start.
If you’re really strapped for cash, just use a marker. No harm, no foul -it’s your collection!
Optional: Separate CD’s From Cases
With your DIY holders, you can use them to store discs individually or with the case. Cases take a whole lot of space on a shelf compared to single discs, which means you can 10x the amount you can store, saving you both space and money from having to buy more shelving.
You can store your cases separately in deep storage, saving them from shelf-wear and damage. Condensing your collection is smart and might just be the right solution for you.
- Space-Saving: Slim holders reduce bulk compared to jewel cases.
- Customizable: Labels and stickers make organization personal and precise.
- Archival Quality: Poly bags protect discs from dust and scratches.
- Display Options: With J-hooks, you can a lot of discs on a single peg.
Don’t Rule Out Pegboard
I know what you’re probably thinking … but don’t rule out pegboard just yet. Pegboard is significantly lighter and easier to haul around than shelving. You don’t even have to attach it to anything, you can lean it against a wall on top of a dresser or desk. Just be sure to brace the bottom with something heavy so it doesn’t slip.
It might sound cheap, but when moving time comes you’ll be glad you did.
Make it Even Simpler
To make it even more brain-dead, simply assign an ID to each peg or shelf, and don’t worry about order or labels for your backers. As long as the peg is holding the CD’s that belong there, you’re good to go. This might be right for you if you have smaller pegs and like to alternate the CD’s on a peg. You can search your sheet to find what peg a CD is on -so long as you have it properly assigned.
Using With Boxes
To use this system with boxes, simply assign an ID to each box and add the box ID and use that in your sheet for the CD’s location. This is helpful if you have a large collection of CD’s you want to store in deep storage, but still want to be able to find as needed.
Personally, I use old USPS Large Priority Mail boxes as they fit CD’s and their backers extremely well. In each box I store roughly 40 CD’s (in cases). If you do this, you might want to get 6×9″ backers as they will reach the top of the box for easier browsing.
Total Cost
1000 holders cost roughly $50. That’s .05 cents a holder! Talk about cheap.
My Thoughts
What I like about this system is it is agnostic to where you store your CD’s. You can use it for boxes, shelves, drawers -anything. It’s convenient and affordable, which is a win in my books.
Is it as pretty? Not really, but there is something about a pegboard on the wall with my favorite CD’s at the front that I enjoy. My soundtrack collection is now cleanly organized and takes up less floor space. My favorites are prominently placed at the front and accessible. I can alternate pegs to prominently place soundtracks I want to listen to at the front for easy access.
Ultimately, I’m happy with the results.
By turning cheap chipboard, poly bags, and thermal stickers into a custom storage system, you create a library-style archive that’s both functional and expressive. Whether tucked neatly in boxes or displayed on pegboards, your CDs will be organized, protected, and ready to enjoy.