For 12" records we offer two weights of vinyl - standard and heavyweight. The majority of records are pressed as standard weight which is typically between 130 grams and 150 grams. For heavyweight records, the range is between 165g and 190g. In terms of audio quality there is no differnce between the two, but some people think that records pressed as heavyweight feel nicer to handle. 7" records only come in one weight, 42 grams.

Most records have an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve - typically for a single 12" record, a paper inner sleeve and 3mm spined outer sleeve. But many records just come with a single spineless sleeve (also sometimes called a disco bag) or even just with a stock paper inner sleeve.

Sleeves (both inner and outer) can be printed or just plain stock sleeves in black, white or kraft (light brown). Printed sleeves can have multiple options such as gloss or matt coatings, centre label holes punched in and with heavier board.

For multiple disc sets, there are further options, such as gatefold and 5mm or 7mm spined sleeves.

Nearly every record that we manufacture starts with a a 'master lacquer'. These can be made by us (via our partner mastering and cutting engineers ) or you can get your lacquer sent to us by a third party cutting house.

The process of cutting a lacquer starts with audio mastering, which is the process of preparing a digital audio track for transfer to vinyl. Mastering audio for vinyl is a very specialised skill and there are many opportunities to improve and enhance the audio during the cut to achieve the famously deep and warm sound that vinyl offers. If it is not done well then audio can sound thin and distorted. Check out www.pitchcraftmastering.com for more.

When supplying audio to us, you should minimise the of compressors or limiters (or additional supply unmodified tracks) as this will give the mastering and cutting engineer maximum leeway to tweak the EQ for translation to disc.

Metalwork is the generic name of the nickel 'negatives' which we use to press records. The process starts when we take a lacquer and grow (electroplate) a thin (0.2mm) layer of nickel over it. That thin layer of nickel is then peeled away from the lacquer and effectively becomes a perfect negative of the audio on the lacquer.

Using the same electoplating process, this 'negative' can then be either used to make an additional 'positive' (we call this a 'mother') or it can be turned straight into a 'stamper' which goes on the press to start making records.

You usually only need to make a 'mother' if you know that you are going to need to make additional stampers (i.e. for runs 1000+).

Test pressings provide a small number (usually 5) copies of the intended run. They are used to confirm the mastered and cut audio, as well as making sure that there are no manufacturing imperfections on the stamper itself. You will asked to approve the test pressing before the main pressing run is scheduled.

Our TPs come with a completely white label, so you can use them for your own sales or promotion without having any manufacturer branding on the disc.

We offer a set of 26 standard colours which cost slightly more than black vinyl to make . But we can also offer up to 200 custom colours which are available on request. These cost a fair bit more than the standard colours because it is unlikely we will be able to use any left over material. If you want a colour which you cannot see To choose a custom colour, please select (Custom colour) from the colour drop down and then enter your preferred colour in the "Additional comments" section.

Contrary to popular belief, coloured vinyl does not sound worse than black vinyl. The only exceptions are the Silver and Gold colours which have a pearlescent mica powder in them. This mica makes them sparkle slightly - whick makes them look nice, but it also audible as background noise.

All records must have a centre label on both sides. These can be plain white but the vast majority are printed.

As with all supplied artwork, you should use one of our to lay out your images. This will ensure that we have everything we need to print and die cut your labels.

Finally, you should supply your artwork to us as a high quality CMYK image (not an RGB one) - see here for more on image colours. To learn how to lay out and submit your artwork please click here.

We offer a near infinite range of stickers, and costs are dicated by the square area of the artwork. Stickers can be applied to inner or outer sleeves, and can make a standard stock sleeve look really good.

For the fastest service, we recommend choosing from one of our standard sticker templates, but we can make any size you want.

Usual artwork colour and template instructions recommended and can be found .

Inserts are a great way to add some value to your product. We offer inserts of any size (up to 10mm less than the diameter of your vinyl), and they can be printed on single or both sides.

Shrinkwrap, resealable plastic bags and PVC wallets are increasingly used to protect high value artwork from damange during their journey to the customer.