Find the right pressing plant for your next release
Compare 14 vinyl pressing plants across 8 countries. Filter by minimum order, format, turnaround time, and specialty services. No more cold-calling factories.
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Which format fits your project?
Choosing the right format affects your sound quality, packaging options, and per-unit cost. Here is a quick reference for the most common vinyl formats.
7-inch single
Holds about 4 to 5 minutes of music per side. The cheapest format to press. Great for singles, EPs, and jukebox releases. Plays at 45 RPM for better high-end response.
Best for: singles, split releases, budget projects
10-inch EP
Holds about 12 to 15 minutes per side. A middle ground between a single and a full album. Often used for EPs and shorter releases. Can play at 33 or 45 RPM.
Best for: EPs, shorter albums, collector editions
12-inch LP
The standard album format. Holds about 18 to 22 minutes per side at 33 RPM. Best sound quality for full-length releases. Supports gatefold packaging and tip-on covers.
Best for: full albums, audiophile releases
Double LP
Two 12-inch discs for albums over 40 minutes. Allows wider groove spacing for louder, better-sounding pressings. Requires gatefold or a 2-pack jacket.
Best for: long albums, loud masters, deluxe editions
Lathe cut
Cut one at a time, not pressed. Lower sound quality than pressed vinyl but works for runs as small as 10 units. Much faster turnaround. Good for demos and test pressings.
Best for: micro-runs, demos, test pressings
Flexi disc
Thin, flexible vinyl. Lower fidelity but very cheap and lightweight. Often included in zines or as inserts. Only a few plants offer this service.
Best for: inserts, zines, promotional items
What to prepare before you request a quote
Most quote delays happen because artists send incomplete info. Get these details sorted first and you will hear back faster with more accurate pricing.
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1
Unmastered or wrong-format audio
Plants need a mastered, sequenced file (usually WAV, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz). If your audio is not mastered for vinyl, the pressing can sound distorted or too quiet. Some plants offer vinyl mastering as a service. Ask about it.
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2
Artwork at the wrong resolution
Print-ready artwork should be 300 DPI minimum in CMYK color mode. RGB files can shift color when printed. Include bleed (3mm) and safe zones. Most plants provide a template. Use it.
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3
No clear quantity or timeline
Plants need to know how many units you want and when you need them. Pricing drops significantly at 300, 500, and 1000 units. If you can wait 16 weeks instead of 10, some plants offer a discount.
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4
Forgetting about test pressings
Always order 5 to 10 test pressings before the full run. These cost extra but let you catch audio or pressing issues. Skipping this step and finding a problem in 300 copies is an expensive mistake.
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Not asking about packaging options
Standard jacket, gatefold, tip-on cover, printed inner sleeve, poly lining. Each option changes the price. Decide what you need before requesting quotes so you can compare plants accurately.
Printable spec sheet template
Fill this out and send it to every plant you are considering. Consistent specs mean you can compare quotes side by side without confusion.
Vinyl Pressing Spec Sheet
Fill in your details below, then print or save as PDF to send to plants.
Common questions
Answers to the questions artists ask most when planning a vinyl run.
Why do turnaround times vary so much between plants?
Turnaround depends on the plant's queue length, your order size, and any special requests. A standard black vinyl 12-inch run of 300 copies might take 8 to 12 weeks. Colored vinyl, picture discs, or gatefold packaging can add 2 to 6 weeks. Plants in Europe and North America tend to have longer backlogs due to higher demand.
What should I have ready before contacting a plant?
Have your audio mastered and sequenced, artwork print-ready at 300 DPI, your preferred vinyl color or style, the quantity you want, your target shipping date, and your budget range. Use the spec sheet template on this page to organize everything. Plants respond faster when you send complete specs upfront.
Is colored vinyl more expensive?
Yes. Colored, marbled, or translucent vinyl typically adds 15 to 30 percent to the per-unit cost. Picture discs can cost 40 to 60 percent more. Some plants have a smaller minimum for standard black vinyl (often 100 to 300 units) but require 500 or more for specialty colors. Check each plant's card for their specific minimums.
What is a lathe cut and when should I choose it?
A lathe cut is a one-at-a-time vinyl cut, not a pressed disc. Sound quality is lower than pressed vinyl, but lathe cuts make sense for runs under 50 units or for test pressings before a full run. They are faster to produce and have lower minimums. Only a few plants offer this service.
Do plants handle shipping or do I arrange that?
Most plants can arrange shipping to your door, but you pay for it. Some offer discounted rates through partner carriers. A few plants only ship domestically and require international customers to use a freight forwarder. Check the shipping notes on each plant's detail card.
Can I order a test pressing before committing to a full run?
Yes, and you should. Most plants offer test pressings (usually 5 to 10 copies) for an extra fee. This is your chance to check audio quality, surface noise, and labeling before the full production run. It is much cheaper to catch a problem on 5 test pressings than on 300 finished records.