How are Picture Disc records made?

If you’ve ever wondered how picture disc records are manufactured here’s a great video showing the process. Essentially what you are getting is a plastic sheet which contains the grooves of the record, the actual music. This then is placed over a printed paper picture. This is the same for both sides, with the actual vinyl sandwiched in the middle for stability. Picture disc records are hand pressed, due to the extra complexity of the manufacturing process compared to traditional black or coloured vinyl records.

The sound quality therefore with picture disc records are not the same as with black or coloured vinyl. The sound is reproduced from the plastic sheet layer, rather than from the grooves pressed into the vinyl as with standard vinyl records.

If you’re looking to get your very own picture discs manufactured then you’ll want to speak to someone like Breed Media (UK) or Furnace Record Pressing (US)

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