H2 H2BT

H2BT MAGNETIC MEDIA DEPARTMENT

Free cassette J-card maker and mixtape cover designer

Build manufacturer-sized cassette artwork, 600-PPI labels and 1200-PPI monochrome shell imprints. Run ink, type and geometry preflight, then export verified PNG or LittleCMS ICC-managed PDF/X-1a with outlined vector type.

  • No sign-in
  • Manufacturer presets
  • ICC PDF/X-1a
  • 3-8 panels
TapeLab 95 cassette design application icon
TapeLab 95CASSETTE PUBLISHING SYSTEM
LOCAL ONLY ยท NO UPLOAD
NAC - STANDARD 3-PANEL - 300 PPI4.3750 x 4.2500 IN WITH BLEED

Drag the artwork to reposition it. Use the mouse wheel or zoom slider to resize. Guides are excluded from downloads.

OUTPUT PREFLIGHTNOT RUN
  • Run preflight before downloading production files.

Preflight validates ICC color space, sampled total-area coverage, single-channel black type, text bounds, bitmap resolution, minimum type, vector rules, safe zones and imprint coverage.

Ready. Artwork stays on this device.

PRINTING WITHOUT MYSTICISM

How to make and print a cassette J-card

  1. Choose the number of panels. A standard J-card has a back flap, narrow spine and front cover; additional panels fold inward.
  2. Add your cover image, release information, track lists and credits. Keep important text inside the safe-area guides.
  3. Run preflight, then download a verified 300-PPI J-card, 600-PPI label, or 1200-PPI imprint PNG. PDF/X-1a output uses LittleCMS profile conversion and vector-outlined type.
  4. Cut on the outer trim line and fold on the panel boundaries. Make one test copy before producing a batch.

Standard J-card dimensions

TapeLab includes separate manufacturer geometries. National Audio Company uses a 1 1/16-inch flap; Duplication.com uses a 1-inch flap. Both presets use a 4-inch height, 1/2-inch spine, 2 9/16-inch front panel, 1/8-inch bleed and progressively narrower roll-fold panels.

National Audio Company templates and Duplication.com templates are the controlling references. TapeLab preflight checks its generated file, but the selected manufacturer must still approve final artwork.

Private browser-based artwork

Images, ICC transformations and PDF outlines are processed locally. TapeLab uses the LittleCMS color engine and downloads public profiles from the International Color Consortium registry; no artwork is sent with those requests. When a manufacturer supplies a job-specific CMYK ICC/ICM profile, load it under Color Management; custom profiles stay in memory and are never embedded in saved project JSON.

Cassette J-card maker questions

What paper should I use?

For home printing, start with a smooth matte paper or light card stock your printer can feed reliably. Heavy stock may resist tight folds. Always make one test print.

Can I make an extended foldout J-card?

Yes. Select four through eight panels. Additional panels gradually narrow so they can roll-fold inside the cassette case.

Can I save a production PDF?

Yes. TapeLab uses LittleCMS for an actual sRGB-to-CMYK ICC transform, embeds the selected output profile and converts generated type and shapes to vector outlines. Use the exact printer-supplied profile whenever one is available.

Are the PNG resolution claims real?

Yes. J-cards render at 300 PPI, labels at 600 PPI and shell imprints at 1200 PPI. TapeLab writes and verifies the native PNG pHYs density metadata before releasing each download.

What is the shell imprint workflow?

It uses NAC's official 5600 by 3500 pixel universal template artboard, forces output to one-bit black and white, enforces 6-point type, measures the 40% ink-coverage limit and exports 1200-PPI PNG or outlined monochrome PDF/X-1a.

Does H2BT receive my artwork?

No. TapeLab processes artwork locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to H2BT.