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After discussing this issue with a few people i'm still a little confused as to how much it realistically costs to release a 12" in todays current market. I imagine there will always be hidden costs that i haven't considered and i would greatly appreciate a more detailed breakdown from anybody here who has experience of the process involved and the overall costs etc. I'm sure things will vary depending on pressing plants etc - As far as i'm aware the things to consider are as follows..... (NB i am looking to release 2 tracks on a 12")

1.) Mixdown of 2 tracks
2.) Lacquer and metalworks
3.) Test Presses
4.) Final vinyl press (is 500 the minimum? What would be the difference between 300 & 500)
5.) Artwork (if neccessary)
6.) Distribution

Anybody info would be amazing. Bless up

Interesting topic, would be also interested - as far as a quick google search shows, it costs about 500 pounds excl VAT and delivery of 100 pcs.
THen if you are a label with stable release schedule, you can perhaps negotiate some kind of discount.
But would be interesting to hear someone with experience

It seems like you have the process figured out and costs will vary quite a bit. I'd expect to spend about £1500 all in, on 500 pieces with artwork. I think you can press 300, but it's not cost effective, and 500 seems to be as low as is efficient these days. I may be wrong on that though.

Distribution is an interesting one though, since you'll likely need to get a distro company to do that, and in order to get them on board, you'll probably have to have a few releases lined up, or have a history with them in some way - I don't know if companies will just pick up one-offs to distribute.

When you mention Mixdown - I presume you also include mastering in that. I don't know whether mastering falls in to part of the metalworks stage in this instance though, since I'm used to masters being done for digital releases, which I think is a bit different.

Artwork could cost you too if you get it done properly, but a lot of labels can cover that themselves I guess.

I guess add sleeves to that cost. Good quality cardboard sleeves with paper inner sleeves vs just card outer sleeves vs just paper sleeves.
You've probably got to consider the vinyl weight too.

I know you can get combined pressing/distribution deals as well. Not sure whether that works out cheaper than getting it pressed then distributed separately. Combined pressing/distro may only be good for labels who are going to release regularly though?

we got a quote a while back
£519 plus vat.. (not sure how vat gets charged here though) for 200 12" including metalwork test presses and delivery. this was 1 colour labels and white paper sleeves
for 500 you'd probs be looking at around £700-900 (plus vat) i reckon depending on what options you included
then you'd have mastering which could cost you around another 100
not sure about distro
doing your own distro including vat you're looking at minimum a grand i reckon

the best thing to do is look up vinyl pressing houses and get a quote

http://curvedpressings.com/offers/ <- about £700 + including VAT
(this includes mastering, as I'm fairly sure most people dont read and will come back and ask the same question )

If you go to an independent specialist mastering studio you look in the region of around £220 to £250 inc vat for a 2 track vinyl master.

The cost of a pressing ( a run of finished vinyl) depends on the plant and if you go direct or through a broker. Through a broker is more expensive, but if it starts going wrong your not the one chasing your tail the broker is.

Distribution is generally best through a distributor, if you have a bit of a buzz and / or quality material most are willing to work with you, but do some background research, look at what other labels they distribute, what their coverage is.

Self distribute is a little easier now with things like big cartel (online shop) or you can trek round all the shops and try and get them to take them as SOR (sale or return) stock. Many of the now big labels started in this way.

other things to consider are, art work. making sure the tracks have been mixed properly for the format but mainly make sure the material is something you believe in and it is ok to be different


Hope that helps and clears things up

B

Be-1ne wrote: it is ok to be different

Phew.

Distro (or lack of) will have the biggest effect on your loss/return
You can get a pressing done fairly cheaply but getting a good price for each unit isn't so easy

DFRNT wrote:

Be-1ne wrote: it is ok to be different

Phew.

u guys

totally depends on the cutting house. don't expect to get a deal till you're a regular customer.

seckle wrote:totally depends on the cutting house. don't expect to get a deal till you're a regular customer.

Pressing plant. Dubplates are cut at cutting houses, records are pressed at pressing plants.
It is entirely possible to get a good deal on your first run too, we got our DUBR1001 10"s done last year for £1.XX a unit.