Vinyl

Test-press is a trial version of a vinyl record produced before the start of full production. This step allows the customer to verify that the sound and physical production meet their expectations and identify any minor imperfections, such as issues in mixing or mastering that could affect the final production.

Why is Test-press important?

- Sound quality control: Listening to the test-press allows you to check if the sound matches the original intent and whether any unwanted changes or distortions have occurred.
- Possibility of adjustments: If necessary, you can modify the final settings based on the test-press before producing the entire series.
- Risk elimination: Test-press helps prevent unexpected issues with sound or the appearance of the record.

How long does it take to produce a test-press?

Test-press production usually takes 2–4 weeks, but additional shipping time should be considered. After delivery, the customer has sufficient time to listen and provide feedback. The overall delivery time of the order may be extended by the duration of the test-press process.

What is included in the test-press price?

The price includes four vinyl copies for listening and quality control, as well as shipping costs. Test-press records are usually provided in black, without a center label and outer sleeve – only the raw vinyl.

What if I want to provide new audio?

If you decide to supply new audio based on the test-press listening, a new matrix cutting must be performed, which is charged according to the current price list. This additional step may also affect the final delivery time.

Recommended formats:

• WAV – uncompressed audio
• AIF, AIFF – uncompressed audio
• FLAC – lossless compression

Bit depths: 24 and 32-bit recommended. Vinyl can be made from 16 or 20-bit files, but it is not advisable.

Sampling rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz are accepted.

Unsuitable formats:
Lossy compressed audio formats – e.g., MP3, MP2, MP1, MP4, AAC, M4A, AC3, WMA, MOV

File submission guidelines:

• All tracks for one side should be in a single file, including gaps.
• A tracklist with timestamps and track lengths must be provided.
• Both sides should be compressed into a ZIP or RAR file and named after the title.
• If sending individual tracks, provide a tracklist and name files accordingly. A preparation fee of 40 - 120 € applies depending on processing complexity.
• Upload ZIP or RAR files to: https://azcd.filemail.com. Include the order number, title, and customer's name for proper identification.
   

Vinyl mastering involves a series of processes that impact the final sound. Here are some key recommendations:

• Respect groove length per side – extreme durations lower volume and dynamics.
• Track placement affects final sound; avoid placing quiet tracks at the beginning.
• Avoid excessive stereo processing, as some modern digital techniques do not translate well to vinyl.
• Stereo phase below 200 Hz should be zero to prevent bass loss.
• Filter out frequencies below 40 Hz and above 16 kHz.
• Vinyl benefits from higher dynamics than digital releases – target loudness is -9 to -19 dB LUFS.

For pressed vinyl records, the following are recommended maximum durations per side:

For individually cut vinyl (from 1 unit), the following durations apply: 

It is possible to slightly exceed the specified playing time (e.g. + 1 minute - depending on the musical style), but due to the technology of cutting small loads we do not recommend it. The playing times are shorter than for pressed records, and this is because, unlike cutting the die for pressed records, this technology does not have a function to "calculate the feed of the cutting head". With this technology, depending on the instantaneous volume of the audio material, the spacing between the grooves can be variably adjusted during the actual matrix cutting process, and this allows longer audio material to be placed on one side of the vinyl. For cut records, it is necessary to work with a fixed groove spacing, which is determined by the loudest passage of the supplied audio material. 

Each vinyl will have a card with a unique code that allows the owner of that particular vinyl to download an mp3 of the entire vinyl to their computer or phone, and only once.

The owner of the CD enters the address on the card: www.www.azcd.cz/ download-album and is prompted to enter the code on the card

After verification of the code, a link to download the ZIP archive file with all mp3 files will appear on the screen. All mp3 files contain ID3 tags including the cover page. Just unzip the archive file and play the mp3 files in the player.

The code used is then blocked after 120 minutes. During these 120 minutes, it is possible to perform one more download, e.g. if a failure occurs during the first download process and the ZIP archive file is corrupted. After this second download, the code is immediately and permanently degraded. 

The price in the configurator includes data storage rental and download support for 12 months. Each additional 12 months is charged at CZK 18€ incl. VAT.
You don't have to worry about extensions, we will remind you by email before the storage period expires.
 

To send print data, please use this repository: https://azcd.filemail.com and include the order number, title or client name in the description to correctly identify your documents.

Files must be in PDF format.

• The PDF file should contain print data in CMYK colour mode and have a 300 dpi raster.
• Templates for preparing 1:1 print data can always be found in the description of the selected vinyl package type.
• Templates for printing can be downloaded here: 
• If you select "Check print data" on your order, we will check all the materials you send us in detail. We will inform you of any ambiguities, problems or possible malfunctions and consult with you on the next course of action. 

Other recommendations:

• Convert all fonts in the print rate to curves. Printing the fonts will be sharper and you will also prevent the print data from being returned for missing fonts. The minimum font size is 7 points for positive printing, 8 points for negative printing. Create the black font only in 100% K and set it to overprint
• The bleed is 3 mm - without bleed you cannot print
• The smallest line thickness is 0.2 mm.
• The colour mode for printing is CMYK. RGB is not accepted, so always check this before sending your data. For 1-5 color printing, the color mode is determined by the Pantone color gamut.
• The Pantone Machine System is the range of colours listed in the swatch - you define the colour for printing by the number listed next to the colour you select.
• Don't place any lines in the graphic design that delimit objects that are not to be printed, remove drawing lines and templates, and supply only the material actually intended for printing. Everything that includes the data you supply will appear in the final product.

In the second step of our calculators (Additional parameters) you will find the option: "Print data delivered and wanted" with the following parameters:

Apply without checking

Select this option if the print data was processed by a printing professional. That is, someone who regularly (at least once a week) prepares documents for printing in offset printers, who has done typesetting and printing of books, brochures, newspapers, magazines, posters or advertising flyers.

Carry out a check

Select this option if you process print data yourself and you are not a professional in the field of printing, or if you have an agreed graphic designer who is also not a professional in the field of printing (i.e. does not regularly - at least once a week - prepare documents for printing in offset printers). 
Beware: a web graphic designer, video editor or photographer (even a professional one) are certainly experts in visual style, but they may not be experts in polygraphy.

When selecting this parameter, we will take all the materials you provide for printing and check them in detail in terms of printing standards (dimensions, bleeds, raster, colour modes, use of fonts and their settings for correct printing, placement and quality of embedded logos, etc.). 
The result of the check is a clear list including the previews set in the templates. You can see the almost complete result and discover any ambiguities, problems or possible malfunctions in the provided documents. Based on this output, you can make complete corrections and fine-tuning of the print data for a perfect result and we can also consult with you afterwards for further corrections and fine-tuning.  Sometimes corrections can't be made because the source data was already incorrect (for example, a scan of a photo or drawing) and you just need to find a process to eliminate any printing deficiencies as much as possible.

You have two controls. The first - based on its output and any consultation with us, you will make corrections. Second - you supply the corrected print data for checking and the result should be approval for production. 
In case your correction of the print data is insufficient, incomplete and if other new, previously unseen errors appear, you will be provided with another list of errors to correct. This additional check or checks are then charged in accordance with the terms and conditions, namely CZK 495 incl. VAT for each check.

Processing of print data on the basis of supplied documents

This option simplifies your print data preparation to the maximum. Because you have a clear idea of how you want your CD, vinyl or cassette cover and printing to look like, just let us know and we will do exactly what you need, including adhering to all the necessary parameters for a perfect print output.
You will deliver all photos, drawings and logos in files (eps, tiff, pdf or jpg), selected fonts (should be opentypes) and all texts in DOC or TXT document. Next, you can write your idea in an email (e.g. like this: page 1. photo xxx.jpg + text :"......."; page 2. text:"........."; etc.) or simply in Word, Photoshop, Zonerphoto or other software that allows easy and fast visualization of your idea, create preview pages without complicated solution of some parameters, and send them to us as instructions.

Upon receipt of the delivered documents, we will check their applicability and in case of any uncertainties or missing components, we will contact you. Once we have everything together, we will begin the creation process, called typesetting, and send you the result in the form of PDF files for proofreading. This process typically takes 48 - 72 hours from the time all documents are approved.

Based on your proofreading, we will refine the typesetting into the final form. The subject of proofreading is the correction and fine-tuning of texts, evaluation of the photos used and the overall colour scheme. During proofreading, the structure of the assignment cannot be changed in terms of changing the number of pages, their layout, changing the type of cover, etc. Such a possible change would mean so-called extra work and an adjustment of the quotation. 
Any second, third and further proofreading is also charged: 22 € incl. VAT, or 49 €/hour incl. VAT according to the complexity of further work.
The price listed in the calculator also does not include the work associated with editing photos, searching them in databanks, editing logos and fonts, etc. 
 

Select the desired product in the production calculator and the price will be calculated based on the information you enter. Place the product thus created and priced into the shopping cart.

Select your preferred payment and shipping method from the menu. Finally, fill in your billing information, including the delivery address if it does not match your billing address.
Send your order. And that's it!

You will receive an order confirmation and a proforma invoice in your email. If you have chosen to pay by invoice, you must make the payment in your online banking. If you made payment by card or bank transfer directly after ordering, do not pay anything. The proforma invoice is proof of payment.
In case of any questions or uncertainties, please contact us by phone or write your question to info@azcd.cz

After the order has been placed, you will receive a confirmation of your order to the e-mail address you entered.

To send production documents (print data and audio content), please use this repository: https://azcd.filemail.com and include the order number, title or client name in the description to correctly identify your documents. The order will not be processed until you deliver the production documents.

The production documents must be delivered within 48 hours of the order being placed. If the materials are not delivered within this time, we reserve the right to change the final price to reflect the production cost situation at the time of approval of your production materials.
 

In general, we can say that for record production the deadline for shipment is 5-6 weeks (without test-press) from the approval of the production documents depending on the type of packaging. The more complex the packaging the longer the deadline.

In the configuration of each product, you see the "Estimated shipping date", which is set to:

• if on the day of ordering you deliver the documents for production (audio content and print data), and these documents pass our contorl - they will be approved for production - the deadline specified in the configurator is valid
• if it is necessary to make corrections to the documents on your side, the shipping date will be postponed by the number of days that were necessary to correct the documents - we count days including weekends and holidays

Once the production documents have been approved, you will be notified by email with a new actual shipping date.

Dispatch means that the goods are handed over to the carrier or ready for personal collection on the day of dispatch.

Here is a sample where you can find the "Estimated shipping date" item in each of our configurators.