MUSIC

If this is your first time getting a record made, there are some things you will want to take into consideration before you get us involved. Most importantly, there are some size restrictions to how much music can be on each side of a record before it has an impact on the overall quality. Although there are many variables that can impact the maximum sound on each side of a record, we recommend the following general size guidelines below for each format for best sound:

12” - 23 minutes per side max | 10” - 13 minutes per side max | 7” - 5 minutes per side max

VINYL OPTIONS

You will also need to select the color and weight of your records. Standard black records offer the highest quality sound, but we also offer a variety of color options to choose from. Please see the Color Gallery. If you have something specific in mind that you don’t see, let us know.

7” and 10” records come in standard weights, but we offer 140g and 180g options for 12” records.

Color and weight choices will impact the pricing of your project.

You finished recording all of the music for your new album or EP and have the tracklist figured out. So now what? The first step to getting your project going is to have it mastered. Vinyl production has specific audio parameters that need to be met for the highest quality sound. You can provide us with your mastered audio files or we can put you in touch with experts that we know and trust.

Center labels must be printed before your record can be pressed. Getting these labels, as well as record jackets and any optional inserts, ordered early is critical to meeting your deadline. Please see the templates page for a variety of different files to use for your artwork. We are here to help with any questions you may have.

Once we receive your mastered music, we will send it to be cut into a lacquer master which will be the source for the grooves on your record. Those lacquer masters will be sent immediately for electroplating.

After the lacquers are cut, metal stampers are created through a process called electroplating. These stampers will be sent to us and installed in our press to make your record.

Once we receive your stampers, we put your record in production. We will send you test pressings for review. Once we get your approval, we will start your order.

We do regular visual and sound inspections on your records as we go. Once your records are pressed, we do a secondary quality check during packaging to make sure that everything sounds and looks good before it leaves our facility. Delivering you the best product is our highest priority.

After your records are pressed, they typically go into inner sleeves and jackets, along with any inserts or additional material you may want to include. From there, we can shrinkwrap them, put them in reusable polybags, or leave them as-is - whatever you prefer. We strongly encourage our clients to consider not using additional plastic such as shrinkwrap or polybags in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the industry. We are proactively pursuing more environmentally-friendly packaging options and hope to offer lower impact materials in the near future.

Once we get your project complete, it’s time to get your brand new records shipped out! Shipping costs will vary based on location, amounts, and shipping speeds. A shipping estimate will be provided with your project quote. Local pickup can be arranged.