How to plan a short vinyl run.

You want vinyl. You don't want to press 300 copies or wait six months. This guide covers what you actually need to make a short lathe cut run happen — from quantity to files to timeline.

What counts as a short run?

For lathe cutting, a short run is typically 5 to 100 copies of the same audio on the same cut settings. The sweet spot for most artists and labels is 10 to 30 copies — enough for a limited release, gig sales, press copies or a numbered edition, without the cost or lead time of a pressing plant.

Single copies are also available, but a short run starts at 5 — that's where the per-unit rate drops and it starts making sense as a manufacturing job rather than a one-off.

The decisions to make before ordering

Format

7″, 10″ or 12″. The main factors are running time and how the record will be used. 12″ 45rpm is the standard for dance music, DJ tools and most single releases. 7″ suits shorter tracks, gig merch or gift editions. 10″ is less common but useful for slightly longer sides without going to 12″.

Single or double-sided

Double-sided means two tracks or two sides of the same track. Each side is cut separately. If you only have one track, a single-sided cut is fine — the B-side is just blank. Most label releases go double-sided.

Quantity

Flat-band pricing means everyone in the same quantity band pays the same per-unit rate. Quantities that cross a band boundary produce a lower total at the higher number, so it's worth checking the calculator around band edges. Run pricing from 5 copies.

Use the pricing calculator for all formats →

What you need to prepare

• Final audio files. WAV or AIFF, ideally 24-bit at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. One file per side. These must be completely final — changes after cutting starts incur costs. See how to supply audio.
• A vinyl master, or budget for prep. A standard streaming or digital master usually needs technical preparation before cutting (£35 per order). A dedicated vinyl master from a mastering engineer may not. Be honest about what you're supplying — it affects the final sound. See what vinyl preparation covers.
• Artwork files if you want labels or inserts. Centre labels: supply print-ready artwork at 86mm (7″/10″) or 96mm (12″). Artwork inserts: front and back cards at the correct size for the format. Diz prints and assembles — you design it.
• A delivery address and a clear timeline. Production is approximately 2–3 weeks from payment and receipt of all final files. If you have a specific date, discuss it before ordering.

Timeline, realistically

Standard production is approximately 2–3 weeks from payment and receipt of all final, approved audio and artwork. Shipping is additional. Diz Lathe Cuts operates Tuesday to Friday.

That 2–3 week clock starts when payment clears and all files are in hand — not when you place an enquiry, not when you submit the form. If your release date is fixed, account for this when you start the process.

Short run vs pressing plant

Lathe cutting makes sense when you need fewer than 100 copies, faster than a pressing plant, without minimum order commitments. A pressing plant typically requires 100–300 copies minimum, takes 6–16 weeks, and has setup costs that only make sense above a certain volume.

If your run is 25 copies of a limited release for a gig or a promo run for press, lathe cutting is the right tool. If you're pressing 500 copies of a debut album for retail distribution, a pressing plant makes more sense.

Full pressing plant vs lathe cut cost comparison →