How to Order Vinyl Records as an Artist: A Complete Guide
So you've finished your album and you're ready to press it on vinyl. Exciting! But where do you even start? How many copies should you order? What format makes sense? Should you get the classic black or go for a color?
Ordering vinyl for the first time can feel overwhelming. There are a dozen decisions to make, timelines that stretch for months, and costs that add up quickly if you don't plan carefully. Let's walk through the entire process so you know exactly what to expect.
Make sure your music is ready
This might sound obvious, but before you contact us at Hellbender, your audio needs to be properly prepared for vinyl. This isn't optional - it's the foundation of everything that follows. It's more than just getting a final mix and master, but it's a specific type of mastering for vinyl.
What you need:
Your final master in high-resolution audio (24-bit/96kHz WAV or AIFF files are standard) we have mastering engineers we could recommend if you don’t know anyone.
Proper track spacing and sequencing already determined
Clean files with no digital clipping or distortion
Realistic expectations about vinyl's format limitations
Here's what most artists don't always realize: vinyl has physical constraints that digital doesn't. Bass-heavy tracks can cause the needle to physically skip. Bright frequencies can create sibilance. Songs that run longer than 20-22 minutes per side start losing fidelity. If you're not sure whether your master is vinyl-ready, hire a mastering engineer with vinyl experience. This will save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.
Choose Your Specifications
This is where things get fun - and where you can easily blow your budget if you're not careful!
Format Decisions:
Vinyl size: 12-inch (LP/EP), 10-inch (EP), or 7-inch (single). Typically, 12 inch vinyl is pretty much standard for a full length album. 10 and 7 inches are better for EPs and singles.
Speed: 33⅓ RPM (standard for albums), 45 RPM (higher quality, fewer minutes per side), or 45 RPM for 7-inches
Weight: 140g (standard), 180g (premium feel, marketing appeal)
Color: Black (cheapest), single color, splatter, marble, picture disc (most expensive and lowest audio quality)
Pro tip: Don't assume 180g vinyl sounds better than 140g. Weight is about feel and perception, not audio quality. The quality comes from the stampers and pressing process, not the thickness of the PVC.
Jacket and Packaging:
Jacket style: Single pocket, gatefold (double-panel), triple gatefold
Printing: Full-color, spot-color, or unprinted (white or brown jacket)
Inner sleeves: Plain paper (cheapest), poly-lined paper (better protection), printed custom sleeves
Extras: Download cards, posters, lyric sheets, stickers, shrink wrap
Each addition increases both cost and manufacturing time. Be strategic about what actually matters to your audience and your budget.
Determine Your Quantity
At Hellbender, our typical minimum order is 50. Here's the catch: the more you press, the lower your per-unit cost - but you're also tying up more money upfront.
Here’s a little math you can do:
Calculate total manufacturing cost (pressing + jackets + shipping)
Add your realistic distribution/storage costs
Determine your break-even price per unit
Research what comparable vinyl sells for in your genre
Factor in how many you can realistically sell in 6-12 months
This is where it’s good to be honest with how many vinyl you think you can actually sell. Pressing 500 copies because the per-unit cost is better doesn't help if 300 of them sit in your garage for three years. Start conservative. You can always do a second pressing if demand is there.
Prepare Your Artwork and Files
Audio submission typically requires:
High-resolution WAV or AIFF files for each side
A reference version (usually MP3 or WAV) for their engineers to check against
Clear notes about track sequence, spacing, and any special requests
Artwork submission typically requires:
Print-ready PDF files at their specified resolution (usually 300 DPI minimum)
CMYK color mode (not RGB - 5this is crucial for accurate color reproduction)
Files sized to their exact templates with proper bleed and safe zones
Spine text that accounts for the specific thickness of your finished product
We have someone in house that can help you with graphic design if that’s not your forte. Getting your files right the first time prevents delays and additional proofing costs.
Place your order
What you'll finalize at ordering:
Total quantity
Exact specifications (color, weight, speed, packaging)
Audio and artwork file submission (or submission deadline)
Shipping address and method
Expected delivery timeline
Get everything in writing. A detailed invoice and order confirmation protects both you and the us, the plant. Throughout the entire process though,, we pride ourselves at Hellbender on great customer service, keeping you in the loop throughout the entire project.
If you're ready to order now, go ahead and check out our online ordering page! If you have more questions, feel free to email hello@hellbendervinyl.com.
Waitin’
Once your order is placed and files are submitted, your project enters the production queue. Here's roughly what happens:
Weeks 1-3: Your audio is cut into a lacquer (or DMM copper disc), which is then used to create metal stampers through an electroplating process.
Week 4: Test pressings are created and sent to you for approval (see our guide on test pressings for what to do with these).
Weeks 5-8+: Once you approve test pressings, your jackets are printed and your vinyl is pressed, assembled, and quality-checked before shipping.
These timelines are optimistic and assume no delays. Be prepared for delays. They happen constantly in vinyl manufacturing due to raw material shortages, equipment breakdowns, and production backlogs.
Test pressing approval
When your test pressings arrive, this is your last chance to catch problems with the master or stampers before the full run is pressed. Listen carefully on multiple turntables, check all the details, and involve your mastering engineer if possible. Check out one of our recent blog posts specifically about listening to your test press.
Do not treat this as a formality. If something sounds wrong, speak up now. Once you approve and the full run is pressed, changes become exponentially more expensive.
Receive and inspect your order
Your vinyl has arrived! Before you start celebrating and posting photos, inspect your order carefully.
Check for:
Correct quantity delivered
Proper jacket and label printing (colors, alignment, text)
Vinyl color matches what you ordered
Records play without major defects (test at least 5-10 random copies)
Packaging is intact and undamaged
Common mistakes that happen all the time
Ordering too many copies too soon. Start small. Build demand. Press more later if needed.
Skipping vinyl mastering. Your digital master is not vinyl-ready. Don't learn this the hard way because it could cost you $1000s in the long run.
Choosing specs based on aesthetics alone. Colored vinyl looks cool but costs more and sometimes sounds worse. Picture discs are pretty but have notably lower audio quality. Decide what matters most.
Ignoring lead times when planning your release. If you want your records by June for a summer tour, you need to order by February or earlier.
Not budgeting for hidden costs. Shipping (especially international), storage, and distribution all cost money you might not have planned for.
Forgetting about copyright and licensing. If you're covering someone else's songs, you need mechanical licenses before you press. Handle this before manufacturing, not after.
Budgeting 101: what does this actually cost?
Real talk: vinyl is expensive. Here's a rough breakdown for a standard black 12-inch LP pressing in 2024-2025:
300 copies, black vinyl, single jacket, poly-lined inner sleeves: Manufacturing: $1,800-$2,500 ($6-$8 per unit)
Vinyl mastering: $100-$500
Shipping to you: $100-$300+ depending on location (we also have in house pickup if you’re local or wanna drive!)
Total investment: $2,100-$3,300 before you sell a single copy
If you're adding colored vinyl, gatefold jackets, or other premium options, expect costs to increase by 20-50% or more.
Setting your sale price
Most independent artists sell vinyl in the $20-$35 range depending on format, packaging, and their fanbase. Do the math to understand your margins:
Manufacturing cost per unit: $7 Realistic sale price: $25 Gross profit per unit: $18
From that $18, you'll need to cover distribution fees (if selling through Bandcamp, they take 15%), shipping costs if you're selling direct, storage, and any promotional costs. Your actual profit per unit might be closer to $10-$12.
This is why you can't afford to press 500 copies if you're not confident you can move them.
In summary...
Pressing vinyl is a significant investment of both money and time. It requires careful planning, realistic budgeting, and patience with a manufacturing process that hasn't changed much in 70 years.
But here's the thing: vinyl is tangible, collectible, and meaningful to fans in ways that streaming will never be. It's a physical artifact of your creative work. It's a revenue stream that actually pays. And it's one of the few formats where artists can make real money per unit sold.
Do your homework, ask questions, start with conservative quantities, and don't skip the important steps like vinyl mastering and test pressing approval. Your future self—and your bank account - will thank you.
Now go make some music you wanna press!!
