Free Vinyl Record
PSD Mock Up

A FREE Photoshop PSD file to help your record label promote your record label’s vinyl releases.

More features…

This vinyl record mock-up comes with extra features like obi-strips, inside sleeve mockups, and editable background colors.

More colors…

Any solid color option, black, clear, white, custom splatter colors, custom splits, and custom color-in-color blobs.

More angles…

Includes various vinyl record mockup angles and perspectives to create product images for Bandcamp, Instagram, and web stores.

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Photoshop PSD File
Multi-layered, customizable
Free to use for labels and DIY artists
Custom vinyl color picker

Preset vinyl color options
Customizable backgrounds
High-resolution images
Three different perspectives

Splatter, blob, clear, split variants
Customizable sleeve
Option Obi-Strip
Customizable center label

Tips for using this mockup in Photoshop!

Here are some tips on how to create great album artwork for your record label’s releases. Four helpful tips on how to make effective and creative album artwork!

Watch this video…

Vinyl Records

Glossary

Lacquer: A disc made from a thin layer of metal, typically aluminum, that is coated with a layer of lacquer and then cut with a lathe to create the grooves for the vinyl record.

Mastering: The process of preparing the audio for pressing by adjusting levels, EQ and compression, and then transferring the audio to a lacquer.

Mother: A positive metal disc created from the lacquer, used to create the stampers that press the vinyl records.

Stamper: A negative metal disc created from the mother, used to press the vinyl records.

Pressing: The process of heating and shaping the vinyl pellets into a disc shape, placing the stamper on top and applying pressure to create the grooves in the vinyl record.

Weight: The thickness of the vinyl record, usually measured in grams.

Color: The color of the vinyl record, usually black, but can also be other colors or even transparent.

Inner sleeve: The paper or plastic sleeve that the vinyl record sits inside of, to protect it from dust and scratches.

Outer sleeve: The paper or plastic sleeve that the inner sleeve and vinyl record sit inside of, to protect the record and provide artwork and information.

Runout groove: The area on the edge of the vinyl record that is left blank, used to identify the pressing and to indicate the end of the recording.

Lathe: a machine that is used to cut the grooves into the lacquer to create the master recording for the vinyl record.

Noise floor: The background noise level in the record, which is a combination of the inherent noise of the recording and mastering process, and the noise introduced during pressing and handling of the records. It can vary from pressing to pressing and it is usually measured in decibels.

Album Artwork FAQs

Does album artwork really matter?

Some musicians might feel like art doesn’t matter. It’s just one little thing. But all those little things add up to make something great. Mastering, a unique narrative surrounding the album, great sounding mixes, great press photos, and great artwork!

I take art seriously, and for a lot of full-length records that a band has worked on for a couple years deserves art that is as thought out as the music. To toil over lyrics and melody and mixes, and arrangements for so long and so thoughtfully, and then to just say “whatever” to the way you package that music, I don’t think that’s right, I don’t think that makes any sense.

Will my vinyl manufacturer do the design and layout for me?

They do, and most of them offer a service for additional pricing. I remember a company who made CDs maybe 15 years ago would offer design services, and they sucked. They looked really bad, but I’m sure things have evolved now, I can’t speak to how well they do now.

It all depends on the manufacturer and what kind of designer they have on hand. I don’t really see the point of going that route, aside from the fact that they know exactly how the manufacturing plant needs the final files for printing.

Can I reuse the artwork for other products like t-shirts and stickers?

You must discuss this with your graphic designer BEFORE they start working on your project. Some designers do what’s called, “work-for-hire” which means that you pay them their flat rate and then you “own” whatever they design during that time. Which means, you can exploit that artwork for future uses like merch, social media, etc.

In some cases, artists will sell their art for limited use (streaming platforms) and require additional payment (or royalties) for use on packaging and merch. Both options are fair and reasonable, just make sure you discuss their arrangement before work begins!

Can’t I just design everything myself?

Yes! Sure! Use Canva or use paper and scissors like Painted Blonde Records does.

Just make sure you’re investing in your label and you aren’t skimping out on design costs because you’re cheap. It could literally make or break an album release. Having said that, in some cases, for some EPs, or for some genres, for example, lo-fi music calls for lo-fi art. I get that.

How much does a graphic designer cost?

I just checked Fiverr and you can get cool designs between $50 - $250. In fact, one person I saw on Fiverr was offering three packages. $250 for just a digital artwork that you’d use on Spotify, then $500 for a digipak, and then $700 for a bigger package with a booklet and mockups.

Overall, I think you can expect to spend $500 for a great job.

Should all the artwork on my label look the same? Like Blue Note, etc?

If you want to have any sort of visual consistency to your releases, even something as simple as having the Catalog ID on the cover or spine, or if you want your label logo in the top right corner of the releases…. Or if you want to go crazy and say that the label decides the artwork and the artist must conform to their design template.

Regardless of your approach, be sure that you have it in writing (by way of a “style guide'') so that each newly signed artist knows your design parameters BEFORE they agree to sign to your label.

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