Recently, I wondered how much a records costs. So I looked on the web after a pressing company and I got several results, one of which caught my attention.
As this was the first time I had inquired about this, I didn't really know how to go about it. I started by saying that I wanted to produce a series of vinyls, that I was still hesitating on the number, and if it was possible to obtain a price list. I got the response from the supplier that he knew a very strong demand both nationally and internationally.
Apparently, the demand was so great that even after investing in increasing the production capacity, it was unfortunately not enough to meet my demand. In itself, despite the negative response, I was pleasantly surprised that the vinyl market is doing quite well according to the supplier's response.
But the provider in question did not leave me without help. He relayed my request to a partner in Berlin who immediately got in touch with me.
From preliminary questions to the offer
Minimum production starts at 300 pieces. In addition, the partner asked me a whole series of questions of which here is an overview:
- Will you be sending a digital master or lacquers?
- Do you need test pressings?
- What size are you interested in: 7", 10" or 12"?
- What quantities are you interested in?
- Which inner sleeves do you want: black or white or printed inner sleeves for the lyrics?
- What type of coverage do you want? Black or white with 2 holes and no print? Or printed (minimum 200 copies)
- Where do you want to send the recordings?
- Where are you located?
Before answering these questions, I suggest you take a little detour to the display of my vinyl collection on which I regularly rotate, just to see the covers that make up my collection. I invite you to browse the photos of the price tags. As you will see, the prices differ depending on the nature of the vinyl.
In the selection above, there are vinyls purchased from different record stores. There are EPs, LPs, second-hand, new releases, in short you will have understood that the prices vary according to the nature of the vinyl.
Back to the questions. I replied that I would send the digital master asking for a test pressing, a 12" format, i.e. 30 cm and therefore the famous 33 rpm format. Then I asked for an offer for 1000 and one for 5000 pieces with a cover white interior and a printed pocket, all to be sent from Germany to Belgium.
Shortly after, I received the two offers with a production lead time of 2-3 weeks for the test pressings followed by 5-6 weeks for the actual printing.
And finally here are the prizes received. We are at €3185 for the 1000 pieces, or €3.185 per piece and €10,601 for the 5000 pieces, or €2.12 per piece.
Here are the details of the two offers:
Other criteria affecting the price
The prices quoted above therefore reflect the costs of test pressing, printing of vinyls and covers as well as the delivery of the vinyls.
But these prices do not take into account a number of equally important criteria. I am thinking of the costs linked to the musical production, the costs to be expected for the communication and marketing of the product as well as the distribution until the presentation and the availability of the vinyl packaged on the display of the record store.
From the idea of the artist to the musical creation, passing through the pressing, transport, communication, distribution and presentation of the product, the price only increases to reach reference values that we know when we buy from the record store hand to hand or virtually when buying from an e-commerce store. I wonder how is the distribution of earnings between the reseller, the producer and the artist?
Eventually, I tell myself that, for a vinyl fanatic like me, what matters most after purchase is when the record is spinning on the turntable and the sound is blaring through the speakers. This moment is magical and it is thanks to all the people who helped bring it to my home. I want to end with a well-known but somewhat modified adage: a vinyl pressed with knowledge is tasted with wisdom!