I recently downloaded a few CD cover insert templates because I'm needing to do a cover. I open them up, set to view actual pixels, and when I hold the insert cover from the case up to the screen, the template cover is always smaller than the actual size it should be. I don't have a printer so I have to send these to my sister to print for me. What am I missing? Why is the template smaller than the actual insert? I must be missing something. It's not that I haven't done CD cover art before, but I was always able to make those whatever size was comfortable to me and then the company shrank them down, This cover I'm doing for me, and my sister isn't what you would call technically inclined. All she can do is print them. I know I should know this, I don't know why I don't. Or does anyone know the exact pixel measurements for a cover insert?

I should mention I'm using a slim jewel case. I don't know if there's a size difference

It's a screen resolution / print size problem. In Photoshop go to View > Print Size.
If it doesn't match then you need to adjust your screen resolution in preferences.
Edit > Preferences > Units and Rulers
Photoshop defaults your Screen Resolution to 72 pixels per inch when in fact most are over 96.

To calculate:
Example
If your monitor is set to 1024 x 768 ... measure the horizontal width of viewable screen area of your monitor
1024 divide by screen width in inches = ?
you can test again with height
768 divide by screen height in inches = ?
You will come to the same number (approximately)
This would be the number to go in Photoshop screen resolution in preferences.
You would have to View > Print Size again. If it's still not exactly the same you can tweak that number in preferences. You only need to change it if you want a more realistic screen to print size match.
 
If you don't want to start fiddling around with resolution you could just assume the template is the right dimension even though it appears to be a look a different size.

Well “actual pixels” is a bit relative to your screen size and resolution, so holding up the actual object to your screen will be slightly off.
Just turn on the ruler in PS and compare its measurement of the template to the size of the actual insert.

 Or why don’t you make it easier on yourself and especially your technically challenged sister (I’ve got one of those, so I know), and just download one of the hundreds of free/trial jewel case label software.
If you already have a 3rd party burning software like Nero they come with one.

 Do your cover design in PS, open the label maker software and just insert it, then save as a Pdf.
Note: If you send a technically challenged sister anything other than a Word or Acrobat Reader document, they are totally lost (Trust Me!).

Chuck

@dreamer

Sorry for a little cross posting.

Note to self: Look before hitting reply

I was just faster LOL.

I have been watching video tutorials at lynda.com. One of the chapters talked about screen and  print size comparisons. So it was fresh in my mind. What you do to the screen resolution in Photoshop won't effect printed output. I've never felt the need to change my default of 72. but I did try it out after watching the video.

PPI and DPI are two different things and shouldn't ever be confused. (The only reason knowing PPI is useful in PhotoShop is to get a rough idea on screen when using View>Print Size zoom function. And most modern monitors are in the range of 96 to 140 PPI rather than the ol' 72. But other than for on-screen comparison it doesn't really apply.)To know how big you're going to have something for a given resolution is under the print settings. However you can set image size by dimensional units at a given DPI. (However if somebody changes the DPI later on, then the scale will be out of whack. Also DPI may not always carry through with an image if somebody is printing from a file format such as .jpg. Make sure the person doing the print job knows how to configure their printer settings to change DPI, and inform them of which to use when printing.) For most purposes a DPI around 150 to 200 is ok for a quick print job and gives reasonable quality, if you need high-quality and can work with bigger resolutions then a setting of 300 to 600 DPI should be ok. But remember, if it's for print - don't work with pixels, work with measurement units set a DPI that's reasonable for you. If the template shows up not to scale, then resize it until it fits.

Also when dealing with print, odds are it's never going to be the same as the screen on the first run. If you're looking for a certain degree of quality, then running a few proofs is and will always be a necessary evil. (Do one run, compare, adjust CMYK levels, etc. And repeat until it looks right. This is also why adjustment layers are handy - you can turn them off during the comparison and back on for the print run. Once you're golden, then in most cases you're set for the bigger run.)

Is the resolution of the image supplied the same as thee destination? I seem to have fun dragging one image from one file onto another to manipulate it, only to find it is smaller or larger,  if the image is 10,000 pixels across, resolution seems to come into play after printing/output 300, 150 or even 72 dpi for web, those 10,000 pixels cover more space at lower rez. (300 dpi would be 3 times smaller than 100dpi) so templates are usually more helpful if they are at the correct size and resolution as what you are attempting to place an image into them.. they may even have white space/ trasparent areas - or maybe be UN -trimmed

I assume the CD case has dimensions, so... if i had to, I'd measure it, (Google it)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_disc_packaging

says: Most slim jewel cases sold for burned CD-ROM use the measure 142 mm × 125 mm ** or 5.59 in x 4.92 in (multiply it by the DPi and you got how many pixels u need)

when you make a new photo shop document you can simply CHOOSE your dpi  300, 600 whatever dpi -then also   type in the correct measurement for the dimensions /

there are drop down menu's beside "width" and height" of the document  the unit of measure use Millimeters, or inches for choosing both.. so when you print it it will fit

I prefer to trim the artwork (from a printout) and i like no white showing, so i make the image area lager so it over flows a tiny bit - (it's called bleed) - then use the real life cropping tool - after it's printed