STITCHING This is both a visual and audible defect. There are reflective silver dots which are clustered on the record.
This defect is subject to a claim if it is audible on the record.
Non-Fills These are visible silver lines in the reflection on the record, otherwise known as “nests of impressions.” The grooves on the record aren’t copied amd the material is missing on the upper edge of the groove. They usually appear at the edge of the record or at lead-in/lead-out. These non-fills are not always audible.
A critical defect that is almost always subject to a claim if audible.
SCRATCHES CAUSED BY DAMAGED STAMPER This is a visible scratch on records that occurs consistently in one place due to a damaged stamper.
There may be scratches on the record which do not affect playback and are not subject to a claim. A scratch longer than 20mm and wider than .5mm are subject to a claim.
NOT AN ACCEPTABLE CLAIM
ACCEPTABLE CLAIM
SCRATCHES CAUSED BY HANDLING This is a visible cluster of parallel grooves on the record surface due to unprofessional rough handling.
Surface scratches usually occur by the innersleeve used which can damage the record. Please consult your sales rep for more information on preferred innersleeves and ones that present risk of damaging the record.
NOT AN ACCEPTABLE CLAIM The defect must not affect the audio quality. Hairline and very fine scratches only on the vinyl surface are permitted. The length of the scratches must not exceed 2cm and the thickness must not exceed 0.5mm.
ACCEPTABLE CLAIM All scratches that affect audio quality. Scratches more than 2cm in length and more than 0.5mm in thickness are not acceptable.
Cold Center Due to improper heating, the center of the record is deformed and too thick. On the other hand, overcooling results in the center hole being too small.
Dirt And Other Residuals The record contains a particle that creates a protruding mark or visible paper particles on the surface.
WARPED RECORDS When the record does not stay flat and “warps,” which makes the playback distorted or unplayable. To be eligible for a claim, the warping must affect the playback of the record.
Certain vinyl will have a higher chance of warping such as shaped picture discs. However, we no longer accept orders with only one label, and this is not a valid claim.
For records that have 1+ color (ie. Splatters, AsideBsides, Color-In-Colors, etc.) the record may warp due to different color compounds. The maximum warping tolerance is 2mm.
There are two ways to measure warping:
1. Lay the record on a flat surface and with a ruler measure the distance between the surface and the record to determine the scope of the warping.
2. Using a special laser tool that will measure the minimum and maximum difference in height. (Note: these tools can be very expensive but this is a suggested method by our plant)
LAYING ON A FLAT SURFACE
USING A LASER MEASURE
STAINS AND SMUDGES The vinyl puck may have had extra material on it, usually some sort of black material. There are typically two types of stains and spots: (1) visible dotted stains and (2) black smudges.
NOT AN ACCEPTABLE CLAM Compact stains: The area of stains does not exceed 1% of the total surface and is a color which significantly differs from the vinyl color.
Non-compact stains: The area of stains does not exceed 5% of the total surface or stains with the same color shade but a different intensity.
The reference area is the entire record area including the label. The coverage of stains is calculated as a whole.
ACCEPTABLE CLAIM Compact stains: The area of stains exceeds 1% of the total surface.
Non-compact stains: The area of stains exceeds 5% of the total surface.
VINYL RECORDS The vinyl color does not correspond to the vinyl color chart.
Customers have standard color options based on the color chart or customers may choose to have a custom color created. In regards to claims, the maximum color deviation is one degree from the respective pantone color.
ACCEPTABLE COLOR DEVIATION
NOT ACCEPTABLE COLOR DEVIATION
Blisters Blisters usually occur when applying splatter to the vinyl and there is insufficient plastification of the splatter mixture during the pressing. These blisters form on the surface and cause an audible defect.
LABEL CUT
The sheet of paper was shifted during the cutting process. The accepted tolerance is a maximum of 2mm.
ACCEPTABLE
NOT ACCEPTABLE
COLOR CHANGE OF LABELS All labels are put through a high temperature drying process to remove moisture and prevent bubbling. This process makes labels susceptible to color changes. This is most visible on light and PMS colors.
The examples below demonstrate acceptable color changes.
BEFORE DRYING (COLUMN 1) / AFTER DRYING (COLUMN 2)
BEFORE DRYING (COLUMN 1) / AFTER DRYING (COLUMN 2)
Wrong Label The labels don’t match the label preview. Different labels are used or the labels of each side are switched.
Double Label The label is blown throughout the entire surface and is doubled.
SPLIT / CRACKED LABEL Labels can crack during the pressing process. This occurs mostly with multi-colored records or unpredictable paper tension.
ACCEPTABLE Hairline splits with legible text.
NOT ACCEPTABLE The viny is visible through the label or the text is not legible.
LABEL BLISTERS ON PICTURE DISC Improper drying of the color causes splitting or blistering. To be eligible for a claim, blisters must be located away from the center of the record and the total area of blisters must exceed 78.5mm2.
ACCEPTABLE
NOT ACCEPTABLE
LABEL BLISTERS ON STANDARD VINYL Improper drying of the color causes splitting or blistering. To be eligible for a claim, the total area of blisters must exceed 78.5mm2.
ACCEPTABLE
NOT ACCEPTABLE
TORN LABELS NEAR THE CENTER The label is torn near the center hole of the record.
ACCEPTABLE The label has hairline tears and upper layer of the label must not be torn off. Tears under 5mm are acceptable.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
The upper printed layer of the label is torn off and the white layer underneath is visible.
TORN OFF COLOR ON LABEL Colors on the label may tear near the edge.
To be eligible for a claim, the tear must exceed 30mm long and text must be illegible or missing.
ACCEPTABLE The torn off color on the label edge does not exceed 30mm. The text is legible.
NOT ACCEPTABLE The torn off color on the label edge exceeds 30mm. The text is illegible or text is missing.
SPOTS ON LABELS Labels will have spots from certain vinyl pressing processes, typically due to vinyl that has splatter.
ACCEPTABLE The total area of the spots does not exceed 78.5mm2 and the text is legible.
NOT ACCEPTABLE The total area of the spots exceeds 78.5mm2 and the text is not legible.
LABEL SCRATCHES Scratches may occur on the label and is typically caused by either bad handling or a machine error.
ACCEPTABLE The scratching on the label surface doesn’t damage the upper layer of the paper. The scarcth does not exceed 10% from the run.
NOT ACCEPTABLE The upper layer of the paper is damaged.
CONTAMINATION Contamination can occur during handling or during packaging of the record.
Contamination is acceptable if the total area is not more than 100mm2 and is only at the center of the label.
SECTION 2 – COLOR EFFECTS
Note: The only multicolor effect claims that may be submitted are if a wrong color or effect is used.
SPLATTER VINYL When using more splatter colors we cannot guarantee that all of them will be visible. Black and other dark opaque colors used as a base color absorb splatter colors. The result is splatters are less visible. Furthermore, when using opaque colors as a base combined with transparent splatter colors the final effect may be less visible or even imperceptible.
We recommend using transparent colors as a base to achieve a higher contrast. The amount of splatter cannot be requested. Splatter cannot be used on 7” heavy vinyl records.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
NOT RECOMMENDED
ASIDEBSIDE VINYL The recommend combination is to use an opaque color and a contrasting color. When using a dark opaque color with a light transparent color the effect will be less visible.
Recommended combinations include contrasting colors of white and black, white and red, blue and white, etc.
Improper or wrong combinations where the final effect will be less visible/significant are black and red, red and orange, dark blue and black.
RECOMMENDED
NOT RECOMMENDED
COLOR IN COLOR VINYL The record is pressed as a small vinyl puck into a large vinyl puck. When using a small solid vinyl puck, and a large transparent vinyl puck, the colors will be bonded together.
We recommend using contrasting colors, preferably a large vinyl puck of a light transparent color and a small vinyl puck of a solid dark color.
It cannot be used reversely. In case both of the vinyl pucks are solid, the final effect is random, colors are penetrated and the final effect is more like AsideBside effect.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
NOT RECOMMENDED
HALF-N-HALF VINYL The record is pressed with two vinyl biscuits laid side by side.
Both transparent and solid colors can be used and combined. In the middle, there is a risk of label wrinkling, as well as one color contaminating the other with contrasting colors. We recommend using two solid or two transparent colors.
This cannot be subject to claim as far as the label being torn or illegible.
RECOMMENDED
3 COLOR STRIPED VINYL The record is pressed with 3 vinyl biscuits laid side by side. When using contrasting color weights, they may contaminate each other.
Both transparent and solid colors can be used and combined. In the middle, there is a risk of label wrinkling, as well as the colors flooding together. This cannot be subject to claim as far as the label being torn or illegible.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
3 COLOR PIE SLICED VINYL The record is pressed with 3 vinyl biscuits laid side by side. When using contrasting color weights, they may contaminate each other.
Both transparent and solid colors can be used and combined. In the middle, there is a risk of label wrinkling, as well as the colors flooding together. This cannot be subject to claim as far as the label being torn or illegible.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
QUAD VINYL The record is pressed with 4 vinyl biscuits laid side by side. When using contrasting color weights, they may contaminate each other.
Both transparent and solid colors can be used and combined. In the middle, there is a risk of label wrinkling, as well as the colors flooding together. This cannot be subject to claim as far as the label being torn or illegible.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
PINWHEEL/SPINNER VINYL Pinwheel effect produces spokes. They can be on the base color of 3, 4, 5, or 6 spokes. We recommend using a combination of two transparent or two solid colors (for two solid colors, the effect will be more noticeable on the side A, and on side B, spokes will be less profound). When a solid color is used as a base and transparent one is used for spokes, the effect won’t be visible enough on either side.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
TRI-COLOR ASIDEBSIDE VINYL Both transparent and solid colors can be used. The sequence of colors is indicated by the order of the pucks in relation to the side (the upper puck is on the outer rim of the record, the bottom puck is on the inner rim of the record.)
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
TWIST VINYL Twist is produced by using 3 colors – its production is complicated, mainly due to need of splitting the pucks into segments. These are always symmetrical and are mirroring each other. The color effect is random. Color spokes are more profound in relation to the side of the vinyl (upper one is more profound on side A, bottom one on the side B). The size of the middle segments depends on the combination of transparent and solid colors. If the basic color is solid, and the spokes are transparent, the effect won’t be visible enough on both sides.
Splatter cannot be added to twist vinyl.
It is not recommended to use an opaque base and transparent rays. Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
CLOUDY VINYL Cloudy effect is transparent and creates an impression of a veil or a cloudy sky. The record is comprised of three colors – one basic and two supplementary. The basic color (the base) needs to be either milky clear or ultra clear. Supplementary colors dictate the color of the record itself and they need to be the same color to achieve the chosen effect.
It is not recommended to use an opaque base and transparent rays. Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED
GALAXY VINYL Galaxy is comprised of either two or three colors and is similar to Marble effect. Both transparent and solid colors can be used. Galaxy will be mostly noticeable against a direct light in case transparent colors are used.
RECOMMENDED
RANDOM BLEND VINYL This is a random effect created by a random mix of colors. Vinyl records can be significantly different in final color effect. This cannot be subject to claims.
RECOMMENDED
GLOW IN THE DARK VINYL The vinyl records are manufactured from a vinyl compound with a special pigment. Currently, only green pigment is available. The base vinyl color can be milky clear or ultra clear.
RECOMMENDED
HALF-N-HALF COLOR-IN-COLOR VINYL This is pressed as a half-n-half vinyl with a color in the middle. It is recommended to use transparent colors as the base halves and using an opaque color for the middle.
RECOMMENDED
TRIPLE BUTTON VINYL The base color is transparent and the color that will create the effect must be in contrast to the base color for the effect to be visible. Triple button effect cannot have splatters.
RECOMMENDED
SPINNER VINYL The base color must be transparent and the color that will create the effect has to be in contrast to the base color for the effect to be visible. Spinner effect can have splatter, but only two colors of them.
RECOMMENDED (Note: This image features ‘glaze’ on the spokes)
MOON PHASE VINYL The base color must be transparent and the color that will create the effect has must be in contrast to the base color for the effect to be visible. Moon Phase can have splatter, but only two colors of them.
RECOMMENDED
BUTTERFLY VINYL The base color must be transparent and the color that will create the effect has must be in contrast to the base color for the effect to be visible. Butterfly can have splatter, but only two colors of them.
RECOMMENDED (Note: This image features splatter)
INSOMNIA VINYL Insomnia vinyl is smoke/marble vinyl made on a manual press with splatter. The base color must be light transparent and the marbling color must be a dark solid color.
RECOMMENDED
MARBLE VINYL This is an effect with a “marbling” on a vinyl record. The base color must be light transparent and the marbling color must be a dark solid color, preferably black.
Improper combinations cannot be subject to claim.
RECOMMENDED (LIGHT BASE WITH DARK MARBLE)
NOT RECOMMENDED (SOLID BASE WITH LIGHT MARBLE)
SILKSCREENED PRINTED VINYL The silkscreen vinyl must be manufactured in variants with a label on both sides; with a silkscreen print over the label or outside the label.
In this case, we cannot guarantee the size of the center hole will be kept. This cannot be subject to claim.
There is a high risk the record will be warped in the case there is one label (on the recording side) used only. The warping must not exceed 5mm.
The etched picture cannot be combined with a recording. The etched picture must have a label on each side. The center ring on the records is blank.
Most PMS colors are partially transparent therefore the final printing result cannot be exactly matched with the PMS sampler.
RECOMMENDED
ETCHED VINYL The etched side cannot contain grooves. The etched picture must have labels on each side. The center ring on the records is blank.
The etched surface area is not gloss but matte and may show different shades. This cannot be subject to claim.
The warping must not exceed 5mm.
RECOMMENDED
PICTURE DISC In the case of a one-sided picture disc, only one side of the picture disc will be cut. The other side cannot be “mirrored,” but there must be a “silent groove” (groove without signal). There are two PD labels used. In the case that an exact orientation is requested it must be specified on the P.O. (ie. head to head).
If it’s a single-sided picture disc, the label is usually printed from both sides and the recording is pressed on one side. The opposite side of the label is visible through the transparent vinyl material on the opposite side.
These types of records usually have deformed center holes, are prone to warping, and do not comply with the flatness parameters. Warping always occur and flatness parameters are not applicable. Claims will only be accepted if the deviation is greater than 5mm for 10” and 12” vinyl or 3mm for 7” vinyl.
Picture discs may have defects in form of smudges. As long as the text is legible
and the label design is not significantly deformed this cannot be subject to claim.
Furthermore, due to the fact that the recording is pressed into a non-standard material for vinyl, picture discs may have deteriorated acoustic properties. For example, there may be increased levels of noise and static. These degraded acoustic properties cannot be subject to claim. Classical music or music with quiet parts is not recommended to be used on picture discs.
RECOMMENDED
SHAPED VINYL Shaped vinyl are records which are shaped into various shapes using a cutting tool.
The shapes are determined based on drawings or designs submitted by the customer. The min. radius is 3mm.
When a special shape is requested, it is important to choose a suitable format (either 12” or 10”) due to the fact that the record has to have 175mm of recording area left in the center of the vinyl.
The raw material for shaped vinyl can either be 10” or 12” standard black or colored vinyl.
RECOMMENDED
SHAPED PICTURE DISC These records may have deteriorated acoustic properties, for example, increased levels of noise and static. We do not recommend classical music or music with quiet parts.
The picture disc label must be by 2-3mm smaller than the requested final shape size.
As opposed to normal picture discs which have two printed paper slips and a piece of vinyl between them, the printed paper on shaped picture discs is only one sheet, printed front and back. The fact that it is not symmetrical from one side of the product to the other creates an increased risk of dish warping.
The picture disc itself can have two sides of music on it.
