As with all things, it is difficult to run a sustainable music business. I spent years looking for the cheapest CD and merch options instead of the most-sustainable ones. Times change. I'm finding ways to change too.

I thought of two things that I can do different with CD production to make them more sustainable. The first is changing where I print my CDs. The second is how I print them.

Every year, I ask myself if I should keep printing CDs. I don’t want to, but I have many fans who still want them. So I will continue to print them as long as people want to buy them.

My two main printers are Discmakers and Kunaki.

Discmakers is great if I want to produce bulk CDs. I can print 1000 CDs and get a very low price per unit. Problem is I’m not selling 1000 CDs. So it doesn’t make financial, logistical, or sustainable sense.

Discmakers offers decent prices for short run CD printing. I can also buy the CDs without shrink wrap, which is something I want. My only problem with them is they are not in Atlanta.

Kunaki is my other printer. They aren't in Atlanta either. They are fantastic for one-off CD printing at a reasonable price. There are a lot of albums that I have that only sell one or two times per year. Kunaki is perfect for that.

The two problems with Kunaki are the distance and that they are fully automated. They add shrink wrap to CDs whether you want it or not. I can order just the compact disc with no jacket. But again, there is still the distance issue, and I will still need a jacket printing option.

So begins my search for local CD printers. I found a few around Atlanta. I also found some printers that could do CD jackets, if I needed it.

The final trick with the CD production is going to be how to transport them without damaging the jackets. You see, shrink wrap is great for protecting the CD from the weather and other transportation issues. Another option for protecting CDs is just bring enough CDs.

Ooo! I just had a little brainstorm to consider for the future.

Do I really need to bring plenty of CDs to sell at a specific gig? Or do I just need to bring some, and expect to sell out?

Transporting CDs one way is not as bad as doing it both ways. I usually bring too many and then end up bringing too many home. I have so many titles to choose from rarely. I rarely sell out.

The issue comes up, because I don’t want my merch to be destroyed through transport. It would be better to sell out of all available units at the show.

It’s not like I don’t have plenty of albums to choose from.

Here’s the final plan that I have for more sustainable CD printing.

First, I’m gonna buy from one of these local CD printers.

Second, I will leave off the shrink wrap covering.

Third, I will only bring Enough CDs to each gig. I will expect to sell out at the venue. First come, first served.

And finally, I’m gonna sell out of all the titles that I currently have available.

Sustainability is not something we talk about much in the music business. But I’m hoping to see that change.

Oh hey! Do you listen to CDs still? Or do you prefer digital downloads, streaming music, or even vinyl? Let me know. It’s time for my annual check up on the state of the music and you!