Before sending to the factory
Technical FAQ
Practical answers on bleed, colour, resolution, fonts, file formats and factory rejections when preparing vinyl, CD and cassette artwork.
How much bleed do I need?
Whatever the factory specifies for each piece. There is no single value for every sleeve, booklet or label. Keep essential text inside the safe area.
Does the artwork need to be CMYK?
Follow the factory’s colour specification and requested profile. Converting from RGB can shift colours. Spot colours and special finishes need an agreed setup.
What resolution do images need?
Many workflows ask for around 300 ppi at final size, but the factory’s spec rules. For reference, a 12″ vinyl sleeve is about 31.5 cm wide: at 300 ppi that is roughly 3,700 pixels. Enlarging a small image does not recover lost detail.
Can I use AI-generated cover art?
Yes, if you have the right to use it. We check its resolution and whether it can be adapted to the format. Many generated images come out smaller than a vinyl sleeve needs; if it needs rebuilding or upscaling, we tell you before starting.
What should I do with fonts?
Follow the export instructions: fonts may need embedding or outlining. Keep an editable original and check font licences before sharing.
Which file format should I send?
The print format the factory asks for and, if you have it, the editable source. PDF/X requirements vary: a PDF extension alone does not make a file print-ready.
Can you fix rejected artwork?
Send the rejection report, templates and originals. We assess the cause and explain what can be corrected. Some fixes need layered originals or higher-resolution images.
Does a screen proof guarantee the printed colour?
No. It is for reviewing content and layout, not print colour. If colour is critical, ask your manufacturer for a colour proof.
Do you work with clients in other countries and with any factory?
Yes. We work online with artists and labels in any country and with whichever factory you choose, wherever it is: we just need its template and specifications. We work in Spanish and English. Prices are in euros and the quote states how taxes apply in your case.
Do you manufacture records or master audio?
We do not manufacture ourselves, but we work with partner factories: if you like, we can also quote manufacturing for vinyl, CD or cassette alongside the design. Audio mastering and DDP are outside our service.
Do you make cover art for Spotify, Bandcamp and other platforms?
Yes. If you order a full design, the digital version of the cover is included. If you only need a digital cover, or an existing one adapted, we will quote it. Always check your distributor’s requirements: they usually ask for a square, high-resolution image without web addresses or social handles.