Blank Stamper
A mirror side (or sometimes called blank stamper) is one that contains no grooves. They are only used if you want a B-side on your record that contains no music.
Color specification
The most common printing method is CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), but we can also offer printing according to the PMS = PANTONE scale (U - non-coated colors only!)
Colored vinyl
If you want to order colored vinyl, you can choose from several different colours. We make coloured vinyl from either transparent or solid colors (see table below).
|
Solid |
Transparent |
|
White (1) |
Green (9) |
|
Yellow (2) |
Yellow (10) |
|
Dark pink (3) |
Red (11) |
|
Orange (4) |
Purple (12) |
|
Blue (5) |
Blue (13) |
|
Brown (6) |
Clear (14) |
|
Light green (7) |
|
|
Grey/silver (8) |
|
Covers
You can choose either plain white or plain black universal outer sleeves with 2 holes or printed outer sleeves – which can be manufactured with or without 1 or 2 central holes. Standard outer sleeves are made of 280g cardboard which is white/grey, but you can also select 300gsm white/white (which is highly recommended for reverse side printing - printing on the reverse side of the cardboard to get a “rough” matt finish). If you require heavier cardboard for your outer sleeves, we can also offer 350g cardboard which comes in white/grey or white/brown.
DMM processing
DMM processing (Direct Metal Mastering) - this is a highly recommended process in which we cut the grooves directly into metal/copper plates. The galvanic procedure which follows is not as complicated as the process commonly used for lacquers - we can make stampers/matrixes directly from these plates, which can then be used for pressing.
Electroforming
Electroforming (sometimes called Plating) is when metal stampers are created from the lacquers or the DMM plates.
Endless groove
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, 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 are generally inserted at the end of the last track on each side of a record. We can also place endless grooves at the end of each track if required. Please note that this is a non-standard product which may produce a clicking noise at the point where the end of the loop meets with 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.
Etching
This is a technique used to etch artwork into one side of the mastering record. When getting a laser etching done, the master will only be able to have one side of music. Unless, of course, the client would like etching on the outside rim of the record and music in the center.
Father
A Father is used to make Mothers that will allow you to make more stampers.
Full Processing
The 3 step processing creates a Father, a Mother and a stamper. You need a Father to create more Mothers.
Inner sleeves / inner bags
In order to protect your records, ever record must be packed into at least an inner bag - unless a discobag is selected (discobags are outer sleeves made of carton which is glossy on the inside, so an inner sleeve is not necessary). We can offer either plastic or paper inner bags (paper inners can be plain white, plain black or printed).
Jackets
You can choose either plain white or plain black universal outer sleeves with 2 holes or printed outer sleeves – which can be manufactured with or without 1 or 2 central holes. Standard outer sleeves are made of 280g cardboard which is white/grey, but you can also select 300gsm white/white (which is highly recommended for reverse side printing - printing on the reverse side of the cardboard to get a “rough” matt finish). If you require heavier cardboard for your outer sleeves, we can also offer 350g cardboard which comes in white/grey or white/brown.
Labels
Labels are the paper circles usually containing information (SIDE A, SIDE B, etc) which are physically bonded to the center of each record during the pressing process. We produce labels on non-glossy 150g coated paper, but are also able to produce glossy labels which are made from coated paper with a special transparent foil on top of the label itself. Glossy labels are slightly more expensive and add 1 day extra to the standard turnaround times. Labels for 12" and 10" records are identical in size – we use the same size label for a 12” as we do for a 10”. Labels for 7" records are slightly smaller but can also be used in the production of 10" and 12" upon request. It is not technically possible to use 12" or 10" labels on a 7" vinyl production.
Lacquer
A lacquer is a soft, waxy version of your record that is used to create the metal stampers needed to press your records.
Lacquer processing
Lacquer processing - this is when lacquers (aluminum 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 galvanic process, there is a small chance that the lacquer can get damaged - which would mean that a new lacquer would be required in order 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 also may be necessary to pay for and produce another lacquer.
Laser Etching
This is a technique used to etch artwork into one side of the mastering record. When getting a laser etching done, the master will only be able to have one side of music. Unless, of course, the client would like etching on the outside rim of the record and music in the center.
Mirror side
A mirror side (or sometimes called blank stamper) is one that contains no grooves. They are only used if you want a B-side on your record that contains no music.
Outer sleeves / outer bags
You can choose either plain white or plain black universal outer sleeves with 2 holes or printed outer sleeves – which can be manufactured with or without 1 or 2 central holes. Standard outer sleeves are made of 280g cardboard which is white/grey, but you can also select 300gsm white/white (which is highly recommended for reverse side printing - printing on the reverse side of the cardboard to get a “rough” matt finish). If you require heavier cardboard for your outer sleeves, we can also offer 350g cardboard which comes in white/grey or white/brown.
Over bag
An overbag is a thick plastic bag which fits over the outer sleeve of the vinyl and protects it from dust and generally protects your overall vinyl packaging.
Picture record
This is the large label that makes a picture record. Printed label can be made in any size to match your chosen picture record size.
Print finish
The print finish is a protective layer which is applied to the surface of your printed parts (usually the outer sleeve). Generally, we apply a standard semi-gloss machine varnish free of charge – this varnish seals the colours and protects them from being scratched. A matt machine varnish is also possible, in the case that you want a matt finish. If you require lamination, we offer either glossy or matt. Generally, we recommend UV gloss finish if you want a glossy finish – it is much cheaper and more ecological than gloss lamination as well as providing a similar effect.
Shrink wrap
After any record has been pressed, the customer can choose to have their 7", 10" or 12" record shrink-wrapped in clear cellophane. This option gives the record a nice clean look and is readily available to place into stores.
Size of vinyl
|
Size |
Standard |
Heavy |
Picture disk |
|
7" |
40g |
70g |
65g |
|
10" |
110g |
- |
106g |
|
12" |
140g |
180g |
157g |
Sleeves
In order to protect your records, ever record must be packed into at least an inner bag - unless a discobag is selected (discobags are outer sleeves made of carton which is glossy on the inside, so an inner sleeve is not necessary). We can offer either plastic or paper inner bags (paper inners can be plain white, plain black or printed).
Spine
We can manufacture outer sleeves with or without a spine. We recommend spines if you want to print the band name and album title, for example, on the side of the sleeve.
You can fit 2 x standard weight records into a 3mm spined outer sleeve or 3 x standard weight records into a 5mm spined outer sleeve.
We recommend a 5mm spined outer sleeve if you wish to fit 2 x heavy weight records into an outer sleeve.
Splatter Vinyl
Splatter vinyl records is where assorted colors of vinyl are sprinkled onto a background color and then pressed. See our gallery. The splatter vinyl record looks best when using clear vinyl as the background that way the colored sprinkles of vinyl stand out. No 2 records are same.
Stampers
A Stamper is what is used to press your record and what puts the music on the vinyl.
Test Pressing
Test pressings are highly recommended if you want to check the overall quality of the cut and sound of your record before we press the full amount. Generally, we will send you 5 test pressings which you will need to listen to and approve. Once these have been approved, 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 sound or identify any other possible problems. If the problems have occurred due to error on GZ Media’s side, we will re-cut the test pressings using a new master (if required). If the fault is on the customer’s side (due to a badly prepared master source, for example), then the customer will be liable to pay for new process, should they require new test pressings.