A dubplate, or lathe-cut vinyl record, is made one at a time in real time. Each groove is physically cut into a durable PETG disc using a diamond stylus, with mono and stereo formats available.
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.
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.
Better source material produces louder, cleaner, and more stable lathe-cut records. Reviewing these recommendations before submission will help improve groove stability, playback tracking, and overall vinyl translation.
WAV or AIFF files are preferred. 24-bit is ideal, 16-bit is accepted. Please do not submit MP3 files.
Dynamic mixes generally translate better to vinyl than heavily brickwall-limited masters.
For stereo cuts, bass below approximately 150 Hz should generally remain mono-compatible.
Excessive stereo width can create groove instability. Always check stereo mixes in mono before submission.
Harsh high frequencies and excessive sibilance are among the most difficult things to reproduce cleanly on vinyl.
Crest factor is the difference between peak level and RMS. Higher crest factor generally preserves more transients, punch, and dynamic range.
Longer sides reduce available cutting level and require tighter groove spacing. Bass-heavy music makes this even more important.
Louder and brighter material generally performs best earlier in the side before inner groove distortion increases.
Please submit Side A and Side B as separate WAV or AIFF files with matching sample rates.
Unlike streaming platforms, we do not cut records to a specific LUFS target. LUFS is a psychoacoustic measurement designed to estimate how loud audio is perceived by humans, while RMS is an electrical measurement of average signal energy. A record cutting lathe responds to the electrical signal driving the cutter head, not perceived loudness.
We evaluate every project using RMS, crest factor, true peak, frequency content, stereo information, dynamics, and the overall electrical signal presented to the cutter head. LUFS can be a useful production reference, but it is only one measurement and does not determine whether a master is suitable for vinyl.
Although we do not cut records to a specific LUFS target, modern masters delivered around -14 LUFS generally provide a much better starting point for vinyl than masters pushed to -10 LUFS, -8 LUFS, or -6 LUFS. Less aggressively limited masters typically retain more crest factor, transient detail, and groove headroom, allowing the music to translate more naturally to the record format.
Masters with healthy dynamics often have significantly lower RMS values than their LUFS readings may suggest. Conversely, masters with aggressive peak limiting or clipping may have RMS and LUFS values that are very close together. For example, a master measuring approximately -6 LUFS and -6 dB RMS has typically been heavily peak limited or clipped, leaving little to no crest factor. These types of masters can reduce groove headroom, increase distortion, stress the cutter head, increase stylus temperature, and may require additional mastering adjustments before they can be safely transferred to vinyl.
Crest factor is the relationship between the loudest peak and the average RMS level. For example, if a file peaks at -1 dBFS and has an RMS level of -11 dBFS, the crest factor is 10 dB. This relationship tells us how much transient space and dynamic movement remain in the music.
Included Vinyl Premastering: Every lathe-cut record includes vinyl premastering at no additional charge. Once your completed Side A and Side B programs have been assembled, we optimize each full side for the lathe-cutting process by adjusting overall 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 side as one continuous program, not to each song separately. The loudest, brightest, most distorted, or bass-heaviest song on a side often determines the maximum safe cutting level for the entire side. This is why one extremely loud or difficult track can affect the final level and playback behavior of the other songs on the same side.
Optional Vinyl Mastering Service: If your songs have not yet been mastered or sequenced for vinyl, we offer vinyl mastering at $5per song. This service includes mastering the individual songs from your stereo mixes, sequencing them into Side A and Side B, adding approximately 2 seconds of space between songs, and preparing the full program for cutting. After the songs are mastered and assembled into sides, the completed sides then receive our included vinyl premastering process before cutting.
If you prefer to prepare your own project, please upload one completed Side A file and one completed Side B file with approximately 2 seconds of silence between each song. If you upload individual songs instead of completed side files, sequencing and song-by-song preparation are handled through our optional vinyl mastering service.
Every mix is different. Some songs contain more sub-bass, others have stronger vocal sibilance, wider stereo information, more digital clipping, or more aggressive limiting. These characteristics determine how a record should be prepared more than genre alone.
If you're producing a longer album with multiple songs per side, the relationship between bass energy, crest factor, groove spacing, and playing time becomes increasingly important. In many cases, turning off a limiter and returning to the original mix produces a better vinyl record than trying to repair an over-limited master.
Stereo files are cut in stereo. Mono files are cut in mono. Do not upsample or convert MP3 files to higher sample rates or bit depth. Export audio at the project’s original resolution whenever possible.
Harsh Noise Music & Unsafe Audio Content: 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 level, apply filtering or other mastering adjustments, shorten the program, or decline the project. Our primary responsibility is to protect our cutting equipment while producing the highest-quality record possible.
System calibrated to DIN 45 541 reference standards. Vinyl premastering, vinyl mastering, and cutting optimization are handled in-house.
Send the highest-resolution artwork you have. We review files before production and help ensure artwork translates correctly to your selected format.
Upload your files during checkout using the Hot Pink uploader. The uploader supports 3 files total.
The ZIP file may contain 2 center label artwork files and 2 record jacket artwork files, such as jacket front and jacket back.
If files exceed upload limits, send them through WeTransfer to info@lathecutvinylrecords.com and include your order number.
Our standard center label format is 3.5 inches.
Submit artwork with a transparent background as a full 3.5-inch circle. Do not add the spindle hole to the design.
Jacket artwork should generally be submitted as a 12×12-inch image at 300 DPI.
For Make a Vinyl Record orders, you may include both jacket files inside your artwork ZIP: front jacket artwork and back jacket artwork.
PNG and PDF formats are preferred. Bleed lines and trim marks are not required for most projects.
We stock both black and white jackets and select the option that best complements your artwork.
If artwork is not submitted using our template or recommended sizing, we will automatically format it to fit our standard production sizes.
Center label artwork may be resized, cropped, stretched, or adjusted to fit our 3.5-inch center label format. Jacket artwork may also be resized or adjusted to fit the selected jacket format.
Picture disc artwork and CNC engraving are prepared differently than standard printed products.
Clear records generally produce the strongest engraving visibility and light-through effects.
Exact sizing and fabrication details are listed within each product page and artwork add-on section.
You do not need perfect print-ready files.
If you are unsure whether artwork is usable, send it anyway — we are happy to review files before production.
Have an unusual record idea? We can combine different materials, printing methods, engraving, fabrication, and artwork processes to create custom records that go far beyond a standard center label and jacket.
One of the advantages of lathe-cut records is that we are not limited to one material or one traditional manufacturing process.
We can work with paper, vinyl, PETG, colored and specialty plastics, CNC machining, engraving, laser processes, UV printing, paint, reflective materials, custom shapes, specialty packaging, and other techniques. Many of these processes can also be combined together.
The best way to approach a custom project is usually to start with the visual result you want. From there, we can determine which materials and production methods make sense for the idea, quantity, budget, and expected finish.
There is more than one way to make a picture disc.
Depending on the project, we can create UV-printed picture discs, printed adhesive / sticker picture discs, paper picture discs, vinyl-backed records, layered clear records, or combinations of these processes.
Artwork can be printed directly onto suitable material, incorporated using printed paper, placed behind clear PETG, applied using adhesive artwork, or combined with other materials and finishes.
A colored record does not have to be made one particular way.
We can sometimes start with colored PETG or specialty-order colored plastic. If you have a particular color in mind that is not listed on the website, ask us about availability.
Color can also be created using vinyl backing, UV printing, printed paper, paint, reflective material, holographic material, or layered combinations.
This allows us to create clear, colored, gold, silver, mirror, holographic, and other specialty visual effects in different ways depending on the project.
We can engrave suitable logos, text, names, illustrations, line artwork, signatures, patterns, and custom designs directly into record material.
CNC engraving and linear engraving can also be combined with clear or colored material, UV printing, reflective backing, picture-disc artwork, and custom shapes.
Instead of only printing artwork onto the record, the physical surface of the record can become part of the design.
Records do not always have to remain standard circles.
We can produce custom-shaped records, colored shaped records, and multi-hole record designs.
Multiple spindle holes can also be incorporated into sacred geometry, radial, symmetrical, and other geometric layouts so that the physical machining of the record becomes part of the artwork.
Artwork can range from intentionally simple and inexpensive DIY-style labels, stickers, jackets, and paper products to professionally produced print-shop artwork.
Depending on the project, we can also work with specialty sleeves, inserts, record postcards, leather jackets, screen printing, unusual packaging, and other custom presentation ideas.
Not every project needs the most expensive printing method. The production method can be chosen around the look and budget you are trying to achieve.
We are also open to unusual formats and experimental concepts.
Projects can include record postcards, zoetrope artwork, chocolate records, specialty materials, unusual shapes, layered artwork, and other non-traditional record ideas.
If the idea does not fit neatly into a normal product page, that is exactly what a custom order is for.
These methods do not have to be used separately.
Paper + vinyl + PETG + CNC + engraving + laser + UV printing + paint + specialty materials can potentially become parts of the same project.
A clear record might use engraving with a gold reflective backing. A shaped colored record might combine UV artwork and CNC engraving. A picture disc might combine printed artwork, clear material, vinyl backing, custom machining, and specialty packaging.
This flexibility makes it possible to build visual ideas that can be difficult, expensive, or impractical within conventional pressed-record manufacturing.
Dubplates and lathe-cut records have a strong DIY tradition. We do not expect every project to look like it came from a major-label pressing plant.
You are welcome to make some or all of your own artwork, provide finished files, use our inexpensive artwork options, or combine your work with ours.
Other projects may call for professional printing, specialty fabrication, or more involved design work. Both approaches are welcome.
You do not need to know exactly which manufacturing process should be used. What we need is a reasonably clear idea of what you want the finished project to look like.
When contacting us, please send whatever helps explain the project: artwork files, reference images, sketches, examples, colors, quantity, record size, packaging ideas, or a description of the finished result you are trying to achieve.
Once we know what you are trying to make, custom orders generally follow the same production, checkout, packaging, and shipping structure as orders placed directly through our website unless different terms are included in your custom quote.
Each record order includes one Side A + Side B program.
If your project requires additional programs, each additional program should be ordered separately.
Custom invoices and directly arranged projects follow the same basic production structure unless we agree to something different for the project in writing.
Our $10 fee covers up to 10 records of one Side A / Side B program.
This fee is not simply the price of a USPS postage label. It helps cover:
That works out to $1 per record when ordering 10 copies of the same program.
Yes, you may send us your own printable shipping label.
For custom orders, customers may provide a printable USPS, UPS, or FedEx label when another shipping service or faster delivery method is preferred.
Providing your own shipping label does not remove the applicable handling or fulfillment fee.
The fee still covers order handling, packaging, shipping preparation, fulfillment, and any other services included with the applicable order.
For standard records without jackets or additional artwork, we generally pack a maximum of 10 records per record mailer.
For Make a Vinyl Record packages, a maximum of 5 complete packages fit in one record mailer.
Larger orders may use multiple record mailers, which may then be packed together inside a larger shipping box when appropriate.
Packaging may vary depending on the product, quantity, artwork, dimensions, weight, and shipping method.
Need your records faster? Rush production starts at $150 and is available on a project-by-project basis.
Rush pricing depends on the quantity, complexity of the project, our current production schedule, and how quickly you need the order completed.
For rush projects, all required audio, artwork, and project information must be provided promptly.
24-hour / same-day priority production is typically $250 when the project and our production schedule allow.
Large, complex, or extremely time-sensitive projects may require $500 or more in rush fees.
Production time varies depending on quantity, project requirements, artwork, materials, and our current production schedule.
A standard order may sometimes be completed quickly when our schedule allows, but same-day production is not guaranteed unless rush service has been confirmed.
Larger quantities naturally require more production time. Production estimates are approximate and may change based on the requirements of the project.
Artwork, specialty packaging, unusual project requirements, incomplete files, revisions, or missing information may add additional production time.
If you have a specific event, release date, or delivery deadline, contact us before ordering so we can review the project and tell you what is realistically possible.
Additional information for records, record blanks, diamond cutting styli, artwork, engraving, printed products, accessories, and other specialty products and services can be found on the applicable collection and product pages.
Please review the product-specific specifications, instructions, compatibility information, artwork requirements, production details, and other applicable information before ordering.
Custom orders generally follow the same production and fulfillment process as orders placed directly through our website.
Product-specific requirements may vary depending on what you are purchasing. The applicable product page, collection page, custom invoice, and written project details should be reviewed as part of your order.
Rush production must be confirmed separately. Normal orders remain in our standard production queue, and shipping time begins after production is complete.
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.
USPS Media Mail — $10 for up to 10 standard records.
Qualifying U.S. custom record orders normally ship via USPS Media Mail.
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.
Upload three files at checkout. We turn your audio and artwork into a real playable lathe-cut vinyl record with printed jacket, center labels, and a finished presentation.
