SERVICES
Turnaround times
Mastering: 1 week
Lacquer cutting: 2 weeks
Stampers: 2 weeks
Pressing: 8 weeks for Test Pressing. 8 weeks after the Test Pressing has been approved
We can provide digital Test Pressing which saves time and money and the sound will be very close to the final product. For orders of more than 500 copies, we recommend a digital and physical TP.
Master Cut
Once the music has been mastered, the lacquer cutting can begin. This is the first and most delicate stage of the record manufacturing process. At this stage, sound engineers use a lathe machine and a very sharp precious stone to carve the music into a flat, lacquered metal disc. These discs are the original copies of the music. Each side of the record has its own lacquer.
We offer digital and analog mastering, improving the overall sound, creating consistency throughout the production and preparing it for both digital and vinyl distribution. Even if you are mastering elsewhere, we will carefully inspect your production before cutting and prepare everything for optimal results.
However, when we do the mastering in-house, there is very little to change from the mastering to the cut. This is not always the case with masters that come from outside. Therefore, we prefer to cut masters made internally or masters that we can rework based on our experience. This guarantees results that we are really proud to put our name on.
We work exclusively with the mastering and cutting studio Lathesville, click on name or logo to go to their website.
Electroplating
Galvanizing involves using an electrically charged liquid to transfer metals from a solution to the surface of a solid object The lacquers are cleaned with liquid and sprayed with a very thin layer of silver. They are then placed in one of two electroplating baths. The first bath is a low current bath. The silver layer and the lacquer are relatively fragile, so it has to be slowly electroplated until a base layer is established. The lacquer is then taken to the next electroplating bath. This is set to a much higher electric current (amperes) and puts the metal on the disk much faster now that the metal layer has been built up from the previous step.
Finally, when the desired thickness has been built up, the metal "piece" is separated from the lacquer disc. This part, which is negative because it has ridges instead of grooves, is then cleaned, trimmed and glued.
The part that is separated from the lacquer becomes a stamper and can manufacture discs.
Above you can see a diagram to understand the plating process. It is important to think how many copies you want to press and if you are planning to re-press the record before deciding if you want 1 step, 2 step or 3 step.
Pressing
Our factory uses state-of-the-art automatic presses that can produce 7″, 10″ and 12″ sizes. The 12″ records can be either 140gr or 180gr.
Our premium PVC compound comes in many different colors and in the form of small beads. We pour these beads into the machine's hopper and they melt at about 250 degrees into a "hockey puck" or "cookie" shape. Then, with the force of steam and hydraulic power, their A and B groove stampers press and crush this shape using over 60 tons of PSI. The puck is then trimmed with a sharp blade.
PRINTING & PACKAGING
We offer sleeves, jackets, inserts, stickers, download cards, etc. Our guidelines and artwork templates are helpful, but we are here to answer any questions you may have about our printing options. We will confirm any special assembly instructions and make sure we have all order components before scheduling your production. It's all in the details.