What this covers
If you're cutting 30, 40 or 50 lathe cut records and want them to look as good as they sound, there are options beyond our standard add-ons. This page explains what's available, what isn't made in-house, and how to get the process started.
Important distinction: Printed centre labels and 230gsm photo-card artwork inserts are standard add-ons you can select when placing your order. Everything on this page is separate from those — it's for more advanced packaging arranged in advance.
Standard add-ons vs custom packaging
When you place an order with Diz Lathe Cuts, you can already add the following at checkout:
- Printed centre labels — custom artwork, printed and applied in-house. +£1.25 per record.
- 230gsm high quality photocard artwork inserts — front and back inserts printed on quality card stock. +£1.50 per record.
- Poly outer sleeves — clear polypropylene outer sleeve for a clean, retail-ready finish. +£0.75 per record.
These are handled as part of your normal cutting order. No separate conversation required.
Custom packaging — printed outer sleeves, disco bags, bespoke card or kraft sleeves — is different. It involves external UK print partners, separate lead times and pricing that varies by specification. You need to discuss it before placing your order.
Custom packaging options
We can help arrange the following through trusted UK print and packaging partners. Availability and pricing depend on your specification and quantity — email us first and we'll give you a realistic picture.
Custom Printed Sleeves
Fully printed outer sleeves for 7", 10" or 12" records. Options include single or double-sided print, different paper weights and finishes.
Printed Disco Bags
Printed polybags for a clean, transparent look with custom artwork. Good for releases that want a more minimal, collector-friendly presentation.
Card & Kraft Sleeves
Unprinted or printed card and kraft paper sleeves. Works well for runs with a handmade or independent aesthetic.
Special Finishes
Spot UV, soft-touch laminate, uncoated stock and other finishes depending on the print partner and run size. Ask us what's realistic for your quantity.
Who this is for
Custom packaging works best for artists and labels putting together a small vinyl release — typically around 30 to 50 copies — where the physical presentation matters as much as the music. It's also useful for:
- Independent labels releasing their first run of a title
- Artists releasing limited editions or collector pressings
- Bands who want a complete, release-ready product to sell at gigs or online
- DJs creating bespoke dubplates in proper packaging for gifts or clients
If you're only cutting one or two records, custom printed sleeves probably won't make financial sense given print partner setup costs. We'll be upfront about that.
What Diz Lathe Cuts does and doesn't do
The cutting itself — lathe cut vinyl records on a Vinylrecorder T560 with a Systemphonics Nebula cutting head — is done in-house in Newcastle. Every record is hand-cut.
Custom packaging is arranged through external UK print and packaging partners. We help coordinate the process alongside your cutting order, handle the conversation with the print partner, and make sure timelines work together. But the packaging is produced and supplied by a third party, not by us.
This means lead times are longer than for cutting alone. Plan ahead, and email us before you place your cutting order so we can align everything.
Typical timeline: Cutting takes 7–14 days from receiving your files. Custom packaging from UK print partners typically adds 1–3 weeks depending on specification and the partner's current lead time. If you have a release date, tell us upfront and we'll work backwards from it.
Formats supported
We can help arrange custom packaging for all three formats we cut:
- 7 inch — single or double sided, standard and custom inner and outer options
- 10 inch — less common format, packaging options may be more limited — ask us
- 12 inch — widest range of packaging options available from UK print partners
How to get started
Email [email protected] before placing your order. Let us know:
- Your format (7", 10" or 12")
- How many copies you're cutting
- What kind of packaging you have in mind
- Your release date if you have one
We'll come back to you with what's possible, what it costs, and how it fits with your cutting timeline. We won't commit to anything we can't deliver.
Common questions
Is custom packaging different from printed labels and photo-card inserts?
Yes. Printed centre labels and 230gsm photo-card artwork inserts are standard add-ons you select when placing your order — no separate conversation needed. Custom packaging (printed outer sleeves, disco bags, bespoke card sleeves) is different and needs to be arranged by email before your order.
Do Diz Lathe Cuts make the custom sleeves in-house?
No. Custom packaging is arranged through external UK print and packaging partners. The cutting is done in-house in Newcastle. The packaging is produced and supplied by a third party, coordinated alongside your cutting order.
What quantities is this best suited to?
Generally runs of around 30 to 50 copies. Smaller quantities can work depending on specification, but setup costs from print partners mean it makes more practical sense at those numbers. Email us with your quantity and we can give you a realistic picture.
How much does custom packaging cost?
It varies depending on sleeve type, paper stock, finish, format and quantity. We can't give a fixed price list because it depends entirely on the print partner quote for your specification. Email us with what you have in mind and we'll find out what it actually costs.
Can I see examples before committing?
We can share what we know about the print partners we work with. For specific samples, that's a conversation to have directly — email us and we'll work out what's possible.