Submit one completed audio file for Side A and one completed audio file for Side B. Your files should already contain the songs in the exact order you want them to play.
Place the songs in the exact order you want them to play and create one continuous Side A file and one continuous Side B file.
Export the completed sides as:
Side A.wav
Side B.wav
WAV or AIFF only. 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz. 24-bit preferred. 16-bit accepted.
Upload both completed audio files at checkout and name them clearly:
Artist_SideA.wav
Artist_SideB.wav
Large files may be sent by WeTransfer after checkout.
If a side contains multiple songs, leave approximately 2 seconds of silence between songs. We use those silent sections to identify the track changes and create the physical track bands while cutting the record.
The silence in your audio is a production guide. The physical separation on the finished record is created by the lathe during cutting and may vary. It is not guaranteed to match the exact duration of silence in your digital file.
You do not need to create a special loudness master for us. We do not require a specific LUFS target. Send the best-quality version of your mix at its original resolution. Better source material gives us more room to produce a clean, stable lathe cut.
Included vinyl premastering may involve adjustments to overall cutting level, groove spacing, fades, filtering, stereo bass management, de-essing, and other technical parameters required for reliable cutting and playback.
Vinyl premastering is applied to the entire completed side as one continuous program, not independently to every song. The loudest, brightest, most distorted, or bass-heaviest song can determine the maximum safe cutting level for the entire side.
Every mix is different. Sub-bass, vocal sibilance, stereo information, clipping, limiting, distortion, crest factor, frequency content, and playing time all affect how a record can be cut.
In many cases, sending us a more dynamic mix without aggressive final limiting gives us a better source for vinyl than attempting to repair an already over-limited master.
If you only have individual songs instead of completed Side A and Side B files, purchase Side Sequencing or Vinyl Mastering.
When we sequence individual songs for you, we build the completed Side A and Side B files and send those files back to you for approval before cutting.
Standard orders where you submit your own completed Side A and Side B files do not receive an additional sequencing approval. Your submitted files are treated as your approved sequence.
If your files exceed the checkout upload limit, use WeTransfer and include your order number.
The checkout uploader includes three upload slots.
Title_SideA.wav
WAV or AIFF
Title_SideB.wav
WAV or AIFF
Upload artwork, a PQ Sheet, or a ZIP containing additional production materials when applicable.
Audio containing harsh noise, continuous full-spectrum noise, excessive distortion, sustained high-frequency energy, feedback, brickwall limiting, little to no crest factor, clipping, or other extreme sonic characteristics may be considered unsafe for the lathe-cutting process.
If submitted audio is determined to pose a risk to the cutter head, stylus, or cutting system, we reserve the right to reduce the cutting level, apply filtering or other mastering adjustments, shorten the program, or decline the project. Our primary responsibility is protecting the cutting system while producing the highest-quality record possible.
Preparing artwork for a lathe-cut record does not need to be complicated. Use the guides below for our standard center labels, jackets and CNC engraving. We handle the final sizing and production preparation.
7" records use 3.5" center-label artwork.
12" records use 4" center-label artwork.
Submit Side A and Side B artwork separately.
Do not add the .313" center hole.
We add the center hole during production.
7" jackets: 7" × 7" front and back artwork.
Our 7" package uses two printed cardstock panels inside a
clear slip-on outer sleeve.
12" jackets: 12" × 12" front and back artwork
applied to a tip-on jacket with a spine.
You do not need to add bleed. Your artwork does not have to be built to commercial print-shop specifications or fit our dimensions perfectly. We size, stretch, crop or adjust the artwork as needed to fit our production format.
Because artwork may need minor sizing or cropping, keep important text, logos, faces and other critical design elements away from the extreme edges. 300 DPI PNG or PDF files are preferred.
Have something different in mind? We can work with picture discs, UV printing, CNC engraving, specialty materials, mirror or reflective finishes, holographic effects, custom shapes, multi-hole designs, zoetrope artwork, inserts, lyric sheets and specialty packaging.
Multiple processes can be combined. Send us your concept and we can determine the best way to manufacture it.
All records are individually cut and assembled in-house. Production begins once the materials required for your order are received.
All records are individually cut and assembled in-house. Production begins once the required audio, artwork, order details, and approvals for your project have been received.
Shipping methods and rates vary by product. Custom records, record blanks, diamond cutting styli, artwork, and specialty products may use different shipping services.
Qualifying U.S. custom record orders normally ship via USPS Media Mail.
Orders requiring more than one mailer are charged $10 for each required mailer.
Shipping time begins after production is complete. Tracking is provided when available after your order ships.
Record blanks, diamond cutting styli, artwork, supplies, and specialty products may use different shipping methods and rates.
Available shipping options are shown on the applicable product page, at checkout, or on your custom invoice.
Eligible products may also be available for international shipping.
Because many of our products are custom-made, customer-specific, specialty products, or professional tools, all sales are final except where otherwise required by law.
If your order arrives damaged or you believe it has a manufacturing defect, contact info@lathecutvinylrecords.com within 7 days of delivery.
Production time and shipping time are separate. Faster shipping does not shorten production time unless rush production has also been approved. Customer-supplied shipping labels may be accepted for eligible orders. Large, bulk, and specialty orders may require custom packaging or shipping arrangements.
Custom lathe cut vinyl records, disc mastering, cutter supplies, artwork, and studio work from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2557 Maguire Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
