Vinyl pressing UK | One off vinyl pressing | Vinyl guides
Vinyl pressing UK - Guides, How to's & help tutorials
Fast turnarounds to suit your deadlines
Standard
turnaround
Test-pressings: 4 weeks
Main-pressings: 4 weeks
Express
turnaround
Test-pressings: 2.5 weeks
Main-pressings: 2.5 weeks
Super express turnaround
Test-pressings: 6 to 10 days
Main-pressings: 6 to 10 days
How much audio can fit on a vinyl record?
7" vinyl
33 rpm:
Optimal: 5 mins per side
Maximum: 7 mins per side
(We don't recommend 33 rpm for 7" vinyl)
45 rpm:
Optimal: 4 mins per side
Maximum: 5 mins per side
10" vinyl
33 rpm:
Optimal: 9 mins per side
Maximum: 14 mins per side
45 rpm:
Optimal: 8 mins per side
Maximum: 11 mins per side
12" vinyl
33 rpm:
Optimal: 20 mins per side
Maximum: 24 mins per side
45 rpm:
Optimal: 12 mins per side
Maximum: 15 mins per side
Side lengths & cutting speed
The above times should be used as a guide. Bass heavy music means wider grooves, and shorter side lengths, and the converse for music not so heavy on the low frequencies.
Audio supplied at maximum side lengths means we may need to cut the audio at a lower volume level in order for all the audio to fit on the side. This could result in the vinyl being up to 6db lower in volume compared to a cut at optimal lengths. This audio level reduction depends on the frequency range of the music.
Bass heavy music means deeper and wider grooves, which result in either shorter audio lengths per side, or lower audio levels for longer sides to fit.
In comparison, solo classical guitar frequency range is likely to have less bass than dance music, and as a result, a side of 25mins of classical guitar will not be reduced too much in level compared to optimal.
33 rpm versus 45 rpm
Whilst audio cut at 33rpm produces a great sound on 12” and 10” records, 45rpm cuts result in even better audio fidelity.
For 7” we strongly advise against 33rpm cuts as they tend to result in a degraded audio quality.
How to prepare your audio files
Supply continuous audio files
Prepare a single continuous stereo audio file of your tracks in the correct order for each side of the record. These files should include appropriate gaps between the track (normally about 3 to 4 seconds).
We will not alter this audio in any way, and the lacquer will be cut directly from the supplied continuous files.
Along with the audio files, provide a list of Visual Track Marker points (known as VTMs for short). These are the points at which the lacquer and records will be marked to indicate the start of a track, and make it easier for the listener to skip to the start of a particular song on the record.
For example, if your Side A continuous file consists of 4 tracks with the following lengths; 1.30min / 4 sec gap / 2.45 / 4 sec gap / 3.30 / 4 sec gap / 2.30, then the VTM list should read as follows:
Provide individual tracks
We can accept individual song files and tracks. We’ll set up and create the continuous audio files and VTM points.
The new audio files will be emailed back to check and approve. There is a cost of £35+vat for the service.
Audio mixing tips for vinyl records
A well mixed track following good mixing practices should also translate well to vinyl, there are however some key points to check for before sending your audio for vinyl manufacture.
View our full guide on preparing your mixes for vinyl manufacture.
Control high frequencies
Bass & low frequencies
Remove sibilance
Apply a ‘de-esser’ to vocals to remove excessive sibilance.
Stereo panning
Compression & loudness
Track ordering
Why make test-pressings?
Test-pressings are the first records made from the pressing plates and offer the first opportunity to evaluate the quality of the audio before the main pressing takes place.
Most test-pressings are approved first time, however a test-pressing could contain a jump or loud pop, which requires fixing before the main pressing takes place.
What if I choose not to have test-pressings?
Test-pressings are recommended to ensure that the vinyl are free from any excessive pops, skips and other unwanted noise. Due to time constraints, some customers choose not to have any test-pressings, and opt straight for the main manufacture.
We do check a random pressed record as they are coming off the press to check for any obvious issues. However, incase something is not picked up in our checks, then any rework is additionally billable.
Test-pressings are supplied with a white label and packed into a white inner.
Centre labels, inners sleeves & outer vinyl cases
Centre vinyl record labels
Inner sleeve packaging
Outer vinyl packaging
All master lacquers cut at Abbey Road Studios
Your music cut by award winning engineers
All our master lacquers are cut Abbey Road studios by award winning engineers to ensure your music sounds it’s absolute best when pressed to vinyl.
Our lacquers are cut on VMS80 Neuman lathes and the Abbey Road engineers will make tweaks and adjustments to your music to ensure the music sounds it’s very best and totally awesome once cut to vinyl.
100% test-pressing approval rate
We are proud to say all our masters cut at Abbey Road have had a 100% first test-pressing approval rate till now.
This fantastic reliably ensures your deadlines are met and your finished vinyl records are delivered as soon as possible and bang on time.
Attend your lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios
You can attend and watch and witness your music being cut onto the vinyl lacquer master live and in person. Speak to us for more information.
Heavyweight vinyl, colour vinyl & picture vinyl pressing
Heavyweight vinyl pressing
Colour vinyl pressing
Picture vinyl pressing
Add digital download codes to your vinyl release!
How are vinyl records made?
Stage 1
Lacquer cutting
Stage 2
Galvanics
Stage 3
Pressing plates
Stage 4
Test-pressings
Stage 5
Main-pressings
Stage 6
Packaging
12" vinyl pressing
12" vinyl features & add-ons
On a standard turnaround we aim to have test-pressings ready within 4 weeks. Once approved, main pressing takes a further 4 weeks.
Express turnaround means test-pressings ready in approx 2.5 weeks, and on approval, main pressing ready in a further 2.5 weeks.
Test-pressings ready within 7 to 10 days, and on approval, main pressings ready in another 7 to 10 days.
Upgrade to heavyweight (180 gram) vinyl or have a colour pressing. Heavyweight and colour pressing can also be combined. View available vinyl colours.
All prices include white inner paper sleeves. Add-ons available black & poly lined inners or custom printed inners sleeves. Printed 2 sided inserts also available.
All outer sleeve packaging is printed on heavyweight art board and with the option of gloss or matt finish included. Uncoated and reverse board print available.
We can print and insert download cards with unique, one time use codes. This lets customers download a digital version of the album.
All vinyls master lacquers are cut at Abbey Road Studios. This ensures your music sounds the best it possibly can when pressed to vinyl records.
Free overnight and tracked UK delivery is included with all orders. We also deliver world-wide with fast and reliable courier services.
12 inch vinyl templates
7" vinyl pressing
7" vinyl features & add-ons
On a standard turnaround we aim to have test-pressings ready in 4 weeks. Once approved, The main pressing takes a further 4 weeks.
Express turnaround means test-pressings ready in approx 2.5 weeks, and on approval, main pressing ready in a further 2.5 weeks.
Test-pressings ready within 7 to 10 days, and on approval, main pressings ready in another 7 to 10 days.
We offer a huge range of colours for 7" vinyl. View available vinyl colours. 7" picture disc pressing avaiable too.
All prices include white inner paper sleeves. Add-ons available black & poly lined inners or custom printed inners sleeves. Printed 2 sided inserts also available.
All outer sleeve packaging is printed on heavyweight art board and with the option of gloss or matt finish included. Uncoated and reverse board print available.
We can print and insert download cards with unique, one time use codes. This lets customers download a digital version of the album.
All vinyls master lacquers are cut at Abbey Road Studios. This ensures your music sounds the best it possibly can when pressed to vinyl records.
Free overnight and tracked UK delivery is included with all orders. We also deliver world-wide with fast and reliable courier services.
7 inch vinyl templates
Right click to download templates and view our step-by-step design guide on preparing artworks.
Having trouble with design? Our in-house design team can provide a professional design service at a great price.
Vinyl record pressing UK manufactured
One off vinyl cuts - 12" & 7"
Disc Wizards offer one or a handful of one off cuts of your music onto vinyl record. Each record is individually hand cut,and is supplied with a printed centre label sticker, in white paper inners and white or black outer card sleeves.
20 mins of audio each side
We can cut upto 20 mins on each side of the record. That's a total of 40 mins of audio over both sides cut at 33 rpm.
White or black inner & outer sleeves
Each record is individually packed into paper inner sleeves, and plain white or black outer card sleeves.
Printed centre labels
All one-off cuts are supplied with printed centre labels with custom printed graphics. Just supply the artwork design.
Clear & white vinyl options
Black vinyls are included in the costs. However for an additional fee we can cut the music on clear or white colour vinyl.
4m 30s per side
7" vinyl can hold 4 mins 30 secs each side at 45 rpm. That's 9 mins of audio in all.
White or black sleeves
7" cuts are supplied with paper inner sleeves, and plain white or black outer card sleeves.
Printed centre labels
Printed centre labels with print are included in the costs. Artwork to be supplied on our tempaltes.
Clear & white vinyl options
Black vinyl as standard. White and clear vinyl cuts also available.