Frequently Asked Questions .
Here you can find answers to some of the questions you may have .
Any other questions you have can be answered through
email or support online
Question:
What is processing?
Answer:
You can choose from 2 types of processing
*
DMM processing (Direct Metal Mastering) - this is a highly recommended
process where we use metal/copper plates for cutting the grooves into. The
galvanic procedure that follows is not as complicated as the process for
lacquers, and we can make stampers/matrixes directly from these plates,
which can then be used for pressing.
*
Lacquer processing - this is where lacquer foils (aluminium plates
that have been coated with a layer of lacquer material) are used for cutting
your grooves into. Alternatively you can send us your own ready-cut
lacquers. The procedure of processing lacquers is more complicated than DMM
and involves a very risky and complicated galvanic procedure. We need to
make an original, then a mother, and then stampers/matrixes can be produced.
Due to the complicated nature of the galvanics there is a small chance that
the lacquer can get damaged, which would mean that a new lacquer would be to
be able to make the stampers. The complicated character of this procedure
means that we cannot guarantee perfect results from each and every lacquer
and it may be necessary to pay for and produce another lacquer.
Question:
What is the print set-up?
Answer:
If your order contains printed parts (ie label, sleeve), then we have to
make the necessary steps to make sure that the files that you send us are
suitable for printing. This charge also contains the production of the metal
plates that are used to do the actual printing of your artwork, and the
pre-press preparation work required to arrange the artwork to be ready for
print.
Question:
What is engraving?
Answer:
It is possible to have some text engraved onto the centre of the vinyl
record (between the edge of the label and the final lead out grooves). You
can have up to 60 characters (including spaces) engraved on the record, but
please note that we only use numbers and CAPITAL letters.
Question:
What is an endless Groove?
Answer:
An endless groove is a never-ending loop that plays on and on without having
to manually lift the needle up to stop the music. If you would like to
include an endless groove on your record then we need to know the exact
length of the loop that you want to produce (if possible please specify a
certain word or tone which should be repeated). Endless grooves can be
implemented at the end of the last track on each record side. We can also
place endless grooves at the end of each track if required. Please note that
this is a non-standard product that may produce a clicking noise at the
point where the end of the loop meets the start of the loop. We cannot be
held responsible for this effect, although we do all in our power to ensure
that this doesn't happen.
Question:
What are test-pressings?
Answer:
Test pressings are something that we recommend if you want to check the
overall quality of the cut that we have made before we produce the whole
amount. In general we send you 5 test pressings that you need to approve.
Once these have been approved then we can continue with the rest of the
production. If however you are not happy with the test pressings then we
need to find out what is actually wrong with the test pressings. If the
problems have been caused by problems at full force records , then we will
re-cut the test pressings using a new master (if required). If the fault is
on the side of the customer (due to a badly prepared master source for
example), then the customer will have to pay for new processing should they
require new test pressings.
Question:
What are the types of vinyl?
Answer:
Size- Standard- Heavy- Picture disk-
7" 40g 70g 65g
10" 110g - 106g
12" 140g 180g 157g
Please note that the 7" standard can be made with a small or large hole in
the centre (jukeboxes)
Question:
What are labels?
Answer:
Labels are the paper information circles that are physically bonded to the
centre of each record. We produce labels on non-glossy 150g coated paper,
but can only produce MATT labels which are also made from coated paper
with a special transparent foil on top of the label itself.
Labels for 12" and 10" records are identical insize used for 10" records.
The labels used for 7" are slightly smaller but
can be also used for the production of 10" and 12" if required. It is not
technically possible to use 12" or 10" labels on a 7" record production.
PLEASE NOTE: All labels are prited on uncoated offset paper so the ink is a bit absorbed
into the paper nad than when the labels are baked before pressing .we do not guarantee the
colours on the labels – it is the chacater of the material can change the colours orginally supplied..
Question:
What is the quantity and production tolerance?
Answer:
The quantity is the number of records that you would like us to press. The
minimum quantity of vinyl records that we will press is 250 units. Please be
aware that there is a possible production tolerance, which is set up
according to the following table (e.g. If you order 250 records with a
production tolerance of 10%, then we charge you for 275 records. If we
actually only press 250 then you will have credit for 25 records which can
be either retained for your next order or returned).
250units - 300units - 400 units -500units 1000units
+/- 10% +/- 10% +/- 5% +/- 5% +/- 3%
2000units -3000units
+/- 3% +/- 3%
Question:
What are the vinyl colours?
Answer:
If you want to go for coloured vinyl, you can choose from several different
colours. We make coloured records from either transparent or solid colours
(see table below).
Solid/ Transparent
It is also possible to add granules of a different colour to any colour
(including black) to produce a "marbled" or "speckled" effect. We recommend
that if you are using a solid colour then you should use solid speckles if
you want a speckled effect. Using a mixture of transparent and solid colours
can lead to bad overall quality of the sound on the record.
Question:
What is an inner bag?
Answer:
An inner bag is used for packaging every record, unless disco bags are used
(these are outer sleeves made of carton which is shiny on the inside, so an
inner sleeve is not necessary). We can offer either inner plastic or paper
bags (paper inners can be plain white or printed). You can choose from the
following types of inner bags:
*
12" paper or plastic bag - with or without 2 central holes
*
10" paper or plastic bag - with or without 2 central holes
*
7" paper or plastic bag - with or without 2 central holes
Question:
What are sleeves (covers)?
Answer:
You can get either plain white, plain black outer covers or printed outer
covers - both can be done with 1 or 2 central holes or without. Standard
outer covers are made of 280g cardboard which is white / grey, but you can
also get it in white / white which is used especially for printing on the
reverse side of the cardboard to get matt finish on the cover without even
using matt lamination. If you require heavier cardboard for your outer
covers, we can offer you 350g cardboard which comes in white / grey or white
/ brown version.
Question:
What is a spine?
Answer:
You can get covers with or without a spine - these are used for standard
weight vinyl records. 3mm spine covers are used also for standard weight
vinyl records if any text required to be printed on the spine or for heavy
vinyl records and also for double albums ( can fit in 2 vinyl records of
standard weight in plastic or paper inner bag ). 5mm spine covers are used
for triple albums ( can fit in 3 vinyl records of standard weight ) or
double albums of 2 heavy vinyl records.
Question:
What about the quantity of sleeves?
Answer:
If you go for printed outer covers, the minimum quantity you have to order
and pay for is 500 covers. The quantity for plain white or plain black outer
covers is not limited. If you order less than 500 vinyl records with printed
covers, you have to specify on the order form whether you require the extra
covers to be shipped to you together with the order or not.
Question:
What is the colour specification of the sleeves?
Answer:
The most common printing is done in CMYK ( cyan, magenta, yellow, black ),
but we can offer also printing according to PMS = PANTONE scale - U -
non-coated colours only!
Question:
What is cardboard finishing?
Answer:
This is a protective layer that is applied to the surface of printed parts.
Select "none" if no laminate or UV varnish is required. If you require
laminate it can be either glossy or matt, but we recommend laminate for matt
finish only and UV varnish for a glossy finish (much cheaper and ecological,
also provides the same effect as glossy laminate)
Question:
What is shrink-wrap?
Answer:
If you wish to protect the vinyl record outer cover, you probably go for
shrink-wrap = cellophane.
