Vinyl - Frequently Asked Questions
What different types of Vinyl are available?
What is Lacquer cutting and Metalwork Processing?
How should I send my Masters to you and how should they be prepared?
What is an Acetate/Dub-Plate? Do I need one?
What are Test Pressings?
What are ‘Labels’?
What is Coloured Vinyl?
What are ‘Overs’ and ‘Unders’?
What is Engraving?
What is the Difference Between a Sleeve and a Disco-Bag?
Do you supply Barcodes?
Can you help with graphic design of the Labels and Packaging?
Can you help with the Mixing & Mastering of my Music?
What different types of Vinyl are available?
There are 3 Vinyl sizes.
7”
10”
12”
As standard these are pressed on Black Vinyl.
There are a few weights available also and as standard the ‘Normal’ weight is around 40g for 7”, 110g for 10” and 140g for 12”. A heavyweight Vinyl is available at an additional cost for a more deluxe finish. Heavyweight 12” Vinyl is around 180g
What is Lacquer cutting and Metalwork Processing?
Please follow this link for more information regarding The Vinyl manufacturing Process
How should I send my Masters to you and how should they be prepared?
Please follow this link for more information regarding Supply of Masters for Vinyl pressing
What is an Acetate/Dub-Plate? Do I need one?
Acetates (or ‘Dubs’ or ‘Dub Plates’ a cost effective way of proofing your tracks on a turntable. They are aluminum discs coated with a special lacquer. They are similar to the lacquer that is used for processing the metalwork and are even cut on the same lathe but they are very soft in comparison and have a very limited play life. Because of this, audio quality when testing using an acetate should be made within the first couple of plays. Acetates are a cost effective and quick way of proofing or getting a quick, physical example of your music.
Please note that Acetates shouldn’t be played with a new stylus. You only get approx 5 hours of playing time on an Acetate before audio quality deteriorates so use a worn in stylus. Are they necessary? Its up to you. You will be getting Test Pressings so if you can wait for these, you will save yourself the cost of the Dub-Plates.
What are Test Pressings?
Test pressings are the proofs of your actual Vinyl pressing. Before we go ahead and press your 500, 1000 (or however many) main production run, we will press up a handful and send them to you to approve. These are replicas of your main run so it is important you check them thoroughly.
From when you send us your Master tracks, we have had to Cut lacquers and process metal work in order to get to this stage and both are very intricate process’s involving the expertise of highly trained professionals. There is opportunity for unforeseen and unexpected technical error on these process and things can go wrong which is why the TP's must meet your approval and that you have checked them for unwanted crackles or pop’s as they represent your final pressings. TP's take around 3-5 days to create from when we have cut your lacquer. We will not go into production of your main run until you have approved your Test Pressings in writing.
What are ‘Labels’?
Labels are the paper bits that go in the middle of your Vinyl around the centre hole. These can be ‘White Labels’ which are the cheapest option and exactly as the name suggests. They are plain white, unprinted labels.
You can of course print on the labels with your design of artwork. You can print in process CMYK or pantone colours or a mixture of both and are printed on around 150gsm coated paper as standard. The dimensions for these are available on request and Label sizes are the same for 10” and 12” but 7” Vinyl have a slightly smaller label.
When you send us your artwork for these, we will check they are optimised for print (set up correctly) and then send you back a PDF to approve, just in case we have had to make any alterations. When you approve the PDFs in writing, we will send the artwork off the printers for printing. They usually take around 5-7 days to print. When received at the factory, they are baked to remove any moisture from the paper. When they are dry and your Vinyl ready for pressing, the labels will be placed above and below a puck of Vinyl and bonded through enormous amounts of pressure into the Vinyl to create the final pressed records like you buy in the shops.
What is Coloured Vinyl?
As standard, Vinyl is Black and if you don’t specify that you want a coloured record and we have not specified on our quotation ; your Vinyl will be black. To enhance the look of you records, we can make the records out of a coloured Vinyl.
These can be a particular pantone colour that you specify (at an extra cost) or you can select an ‘off the shelf’ colour such as white, green, blue, clear orange. If you go for a standard coloured Vinyl, there will be no flexibility in the shade of colour, just the blue, red, yellow (or whatever) that is available Having coloured Vinyl may add a couple of extra days on to the Vinyl manufacturing lead time.
What are ‘Overs’ and ‘Unders’?
Overs and Unders are a term used by manufactures to inform of the potential of under producing or over producing units of your order. Say your order is for 500 units. It is very rare that we will get EXACTLY 500 off of the record press.
We may make a few over this amount or occasionally there may be a short fall in the amount we produce. Some Vinyl’s may not pass quality control due to machine damage, we may have been short shipped of labels or sleeves from the printers or damage may occur when being packed into the sleeves. You will be informed in advance of any overs or unders produced.
What is Engraving?
This is where we hand etch numbers or letters into the metal work so it are evident on your finished records. You can have your catalogue number, a short message, title, website or whatever you specify on your Purchase Order.
There are restrictions on how many characters you can engrave and this is a max of 50. We normally do all letters in Capitals. There is an additional charge for engraving.
What is the Difference Between a Sleeve and a Disco-Bag?
A Disco-Bag is a bit like a giant CD card wallet that does not have a capacity spine. They typically hold only one record. A Vinyl Sleeve generally has a 3mm spine but this can be thicker/deeper depending on how many records your want to fit in. They can be printed in process CMYK or pantone colours or a mixture of both.
Board weights will vary depending on what printer is used. Typically, a Disco-Bag will be printed on around 250-300 micron (280gsm) and a Sleeve is printed on around 450 micron (350gsm) Disco-bags and Sleeves are available with or without centre holes and we ask you to specify this on your order form to us.
Do you supply Barcodes?
Yes we do. You just need to leave an artwork free area for the Barcode to go in and we will do the rest. There is a small charge to supply and drop a Barcode into your artwork.
Can you help with graphic design of the Labels and Packaging?
Yes. We have a complete in-house design studio here at Amstore. Contact you Amstore representative to get more information on this because the size and complexity of the design work will affect the cost.
Can you help with the Mixing & mastering of my Music?
Yes we can. We have an in-house recording studio complete with Producers, engineers and team of song-writers. Speak with your Amstore representative to get more information on booking availability and pricing. Amstore Group offer the total in-house solution for all of you music requirements. We are very flexible with availability and pricing here at Amstore and want not only to help but to make you’re your life easier where Recording and manufacturing is concerned. We even have strong partnerships with leading Distribution companies if you need guidance in Distribution
