Vinyl Record Pressing

• 12” VINYL MAXIMUM TIME: 23 minutes per side at 33 1/3 rpm
• Best quality - up to 18 minutes per side
• OK quality - 18-21 minutes per side
• Less quality - 21-23 minutes per side

When you exceed around 20 minutes per side, volume needs to come down, noise level tends to go up, and bass frequencies might need to be cut.

If your album is under 15 min per side we recommend manufacturing at 45 rpm for maximum sound quality.

• 7" MAXIMUM TIME: 5 minutes at 45 RPM
• Best quality - up to 3:30 minutes per side
• OK quality - 3:30-4:30 minutes per side
• Less quality - 4:30-5 minutes per side

It is not recommended to cut 7" at 33 1/3 rpm because it might cause distortion.

Ideally you should listen to all your test pressings on a well-maintained and calibrated turntable. How good a vinyl record sounds, depends largely on the quality of the stereo system.

• Verify the side breaks and that the tracks are in the correct order
• Check that the rpm is what it is supposed to be
• Make sure the song breaks are right and the visual markers placed properly
• If you hear any issues with the audio or experience skips, please verify that it occurs in the exact same spot on multiple of the test presses. Ideally, listen on more than one turntable. Some noise and minor pops are to be expected.

After we receive all of your elements (audio and graphics files) it takes approximately 7-11 weeks for the Atomic Express Package. For larger quantities, we're estimating 2-3 months after test press approval.

In general our turn times are some of the fastest in the industry. However, please note that vinyl production times are always subject to change. Try to get us all of your elements at once to expedite your order. For further information about the production timelines of vinyl you can read more on our blog: Why Does It Take So Long To Make Vinyl?

Uncompressed audio formats are preferred (WAV, AIFF, AIF). The highest possible bit depth and sampling rate is recommended, up to 192kHz and 32-bit. However, upsampling won't improve sound quality, so send us the highest rate your files were recorded and mixed at.

The digital sampling rate of audio files meant for vinyl cutting can be higher than those for finished CDs. However, we can cut vinyl from digital CD masters. If heavy limiting is used on the CD master, this might result in lower volume vinyl.

We utilize offset printing on 350 gsm (approximately 20 pt.) C1S for our jackets and gatefolds of 250 quantity or more.

For the Atomic Express Package of 100 or 200 units, we print digitally on 300 gsm (approximately 18 pt.) C1S.