Short Run Vinyl Pressing in the UK: Prices From 200 Copies
If you want a small run of records, you don’t need to order thousands. We press from 200 copies, for independent labels and artists, on 7″, 10″ and 12″.
The short answer: 200 copies of a 12″ on black vinyl in a black disco bag costs £1,093 + VAT, including delivery to one UK address. That’s about £5.47 a record.
Short run vinyl prices
All prices are + VAT.
| Package | 200 copies | 300 copies | 500 copies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ black vinyl, black disco bag | £1,093 | £1,230 | £1,609 |
| 12″ black vinyl, printed spined sleeve | Ask us | £1,611 | £1,979 |
| 12″ coloured vinyl, printed spined sleeve | Ask us | £1,745 | £2,139 |
| 7″ black vinyl, white disco bag | Ask us | £976 | £1,199 |
| 7″ black vinyl, printed disco sleeve | Ask us | £1,279 | £1,459 |
Prices can change, so your quote confirms the final figure.
What’s included
- Cutting from vinyl masters you supply
- 5 test pressings
- Full-colour labels
- Delivery to one UK address
Mastering, or cutting with a UK engineer, is quoted separately. You can also supply your own lacquers.
Why small runs cost more per record
Cutting, metalwork and test pressings are needed whether you press 200 copies or 1,000. On a short run, those costs are shared across fewer records. For a 12″ on black vinyl in a black disco bag:
- 200 copies: about £5.47 a record
- 300 copies: about £4.10 a record
- 500 copies: about £3.22 a record
If you’re deciding between two quantities, it’s worth comparing the total as well as the price per record. Going from 200 to 300 copies on that same record adds £137 for another 100 records.
What if I need fewer than 200 copies?
Our minimum run is 200 copies, so we can’t help with one-offs or very small quantities. For those, look at lathe-cut records or dubplates, which are made differently from pressed vinyl.
How long a short run takes
A small run goes through the same steps as a big one, so it usually isn’t much quicker. Allow around 4 weeks to test pressings, then around 8 weeks after you approve them. Plant schedules vary, so these times aren’t guaranteed. Tell us your release date early and we’ll let you know what’s realistic.
Making a short run work
- Choose your sleeve early. On a short run, a printed sleeve makes up a bigger share of the cost. A printed spined sleeve adds £381 at 300 copies, compared with a black disco bag.
- Think about colour. Coloured vinyl adds £134 at 300 copies, compared with the same record on black. It can be a little noisier than black, mostly in quiet passages and at the start and end of a side.
- Check your running times. As a guide, a 12″ at 33rpm holds 19 minutes a side, and a 7″ at 45rpm holds 5 minutes. If your sides run longer, talk to us before cutting.
- Check your test pressings carefully. Listen to both sides all the way through. Checking and approving them is your responsibility, and changing levels or EQ at this stage means a new cut, at extra cost.
- Sort your licence. Before pressing, you’ll usually need an MCPS licence from PRS for Music, or evidence that you’ve contacted them about one.
Short run questions
What’s the smallest run you can press?
200 copies.
Can I have coloured vinyl on a short run?
Yes. Black, coloured and clear are all available. Splatter, half-half and tie-dye are available on 12″ 140g vinyl from 200 to 1,000 copies per title, and these can take longer than standard runs.
Do you only work with labels?
No. We work with independent labels and artists, including people pressing their first record.
Do you press CDs too?
Yes. Send us the details and we’ll quote.
Related reading
Get a price for your short run
Send us your format, quantity and sleeve, and we’ll usually reply with an itemised quote within 2 working days. Get a quote.