Custom Vinyl Record for Dad — The Gift He'll Never Stop Playing
He'll say he doesn't need anything. He always does.
But there's a difference between what Dad says he wants and what actually gets him — the gift that cuts through and reminds him, without warning, just how much he means to everyone in that room.
A custom vinyl record does that. Put the right songs on it and it'll get him every time. His favourite music, your family photos, pressed into a real playable record — it's the kind of personalised gift for Dad that nothing else comes close to.
His Favourite Songs. Your Family Photos. Cut Into Vinyl — In Real Time.
At PhonoLab, we make custom vinyl records from scratch, right here in Newcastle, NSW. Every record is cut in real time — the needle hits the blank, the groove forms, and the music lives in the vinyl forever.
Fill it with the songs that mean something to him — his all-time favourites, the classics he's played on repeat for decades, the ones that were always on in the car growing up. Pair them with your family photos on the cover and labels, and what you end up with is something completely irreplaceable.
Whether you're looking for a unique Father's Day gift in Australia, something special for Dad's milestone birthday, or a Christmas present for the dad who has everything — this is the one that gets kept forever.
What the Dad Record Looks Like
Our Dad template is built around warmth and nostalgia — a rich, warm-toned photo collage cover, bold classic typography, and centre labels that wrap the tracklist around the edge of a family photo. It looks like a proper album. Because it is one.
Full-colour pocketed cover (350gsm) A photo collage of your family's best moments — holidays, ordinary Sundays, the candid shots that somehow captured everything. Printed on heavyweight 350gsm card stock with a 3mm spine. Our free Canva templates have the correct dimensions already built in, so everything comes out crisp and print-ready.
Custom full-colour centre labels Both sides of the record get their own label with your family photos and the tracklist. The Dad template wraps the song credits around the outside of the label — it's a detail that makes people stop and look twice.
"Dad's Mixtape" back cover layout The back cover lists the full tracklist in two columns — Side A and Side B — with a second photo collage underneath. It looks exactly like a record you'd find in a shop, except every song and every photo was chosen by you.
Blank poly-lined inner sleeve + shrink wrap Shrink-wrapped to give it that fresh-from-the-record-shop feel. Because the moment he tears the wrap off is part of the gift.
Free Australian standard delivery Shipped safely anywhere in Australia (and New Zealand).
The Perfect Personalised Gift for Dad — For Every Occasion
Father's Day is the obvious one, but a custom vinyl record for Dad works beautifully for any moment worth marking.
- Father's Day — Skip the socks and the gift card. A personalised Father's Day gift with his favourite songs and your family photos is the one he'll actually remember — and play on repeat.
- Dad's 50th birthday — Half a century of music. Fill it with the songs from every era of his life and pair it with photos spanning the decades. A 50th birthday gift for Dad that captures everything.
- Dad's 60th birthday — The classics he grew up on, the ones he danced to at his own wedding, the tracks that were always on in the house. A personalised 60th birthday gift that says "we've been paying attention."
- Dad's 70th birthday and beyond — A record full of the songs that soundtracked his life is worth more than anything you'd find in a shop. Pair it with a gatefold cover for extra space for family photos and a message.
- Christmas — For the dad who genuinely has everything and is impossible to buy for. A custom vinyl record is the unique Christmas gift he never knew he wanted.
- Just because — Sometimes the best gifts don't need an occasion at all.
Custom Vinyl Record Sizes and Pricing
We cut custom vinyl records in three sizes:
| Size | Playlist Length (per side) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 7" | 5 mins @ 33RPM | $100 |
| 10" | 12 mins @ 33RPM | $175 |
| 12" Single LP | 17 mins @ 33RPM | $250 |
| 12" Double LP | Two records, two sides each | $350 |
For most Dad gifts, the 12" Single LP is the one — up to 17 minutes per side, enough for a proper playlist of his favourites across both sides, and it looks genuinely impressive on a shelf or a turntable.
Going in with siblings? The 12" Double LP gives you two full records to fill, which means more songs, more photos, and a gift that feels even more substantial when he unwraps it. Upgrade to a gatefold cover (+$50) for a huge inner spread — perfect for a family message, more photos, or a timeline of your favourite memories with him.
Make It a Heart
Want something extra special? Our heart-shaped vinyl record is a red heart on a black background — and it's a showstopper. It's a little harder to produce so there's a small surcharge, but the look on her face when she opens it will be worth every cent. You can order the heart-shaped vinyl record here:
12" Custom Vinyl Record (Single LP)
12" Custom Vinyl Record (Double LP)
How to Get Your Spotify Playlist on Vinyl
You don't need to own the music — just the playlist.
Share your Spotify or Apple Music playlist and we'll purchase the tracks on your behalf and cut them straight to vinyl. You pick the songs, we do the rest.
Want to add something more personal? A recorded message from the grandkids, a voicemail you've saved, a song he wrote or recorded himself — if it's audio, we can cut it.
Audio formats accepted: Spotify & Apple Music playlists, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, MP3 — whatever you've got.
Design Your Own Cover with Our Free Canva Templates
Blank Templates (start from scratch with your own design)
12" (Double LP) Vinyl Record Cover & Label Canva Template
12" (Single LP) Vinyl Record Cover & Label Canva Template
Dad Templates (pre-designed with the "Dad's Mixtape" layout)
Our free Dad Canva template is built to the exact dimensions of your cover and labels — drop in your family photos, add the tracklist, and you're done. No design experience needed.
12" (Single LP) Cover & Labels Template
12" (Double LP) Cover & Labels Template
Not sure where to begin? The Dad templates are the easiest option — drop in your family photos, add the tracklist, and you're done. Check out our step-by-step Canva guide if you need a hand.
How It Works
- Choose your size — 7", 10", 12" Single or Double LP
- Pick your vinyl colour — Nine colours available: Black, White, Clear, Translucent Red, Blue, Green, Purple, Pink, Yellow, and Orange
- Submit your playlist — Spotify, Apple Music, your own audio, or a mix
- Design your cover and labels — Use our free Canva templates or send us your artwork
- We cut, pack, and ship — Manufactured in house, shrink-wrapped, and delivered to your door. Guaranteed within 2 weeks of receiving your final artwork and audio — often sooner
What Our Customers Are Saying
"The vinyl was amazing quality! I emailed and asked them to deliver in time for my dad's birthday and they were wonderful, getting it to me extremely promptly."
"Seller was awesome at communicating and working with me to get it right and done quick. My dad just opened his Christmas gift and has been playing his 'own album' all morning."
"Cannot rate this company high enough. The customer service and quality is beyond anything I've experienced before. The record and cover turned out better than I could have hoped."
Common Questions About Custom Vinyl Records for Dad
Will it play on any record player? Yes — our custom vinyl records play on any standard turntable, just like a regular vinyl record.
How long does it take? We guarantee delivery within 2 weeks of receiving your confirmed artwork and playlist. We often ship earlier than that, but the 2-week window is your safety net.
Can I include a personal recording — not just songs? Absolutely. A message from the grandkids, a voicemail, something he recorded himself — if it's audio, we can cut it. Just send us the file.
What if we want to split the cost between siblings? Go for it — a custom vinyl record is one of the best group gifts for Dad. The 12" Double LP or a gatefold cover upgrade gives you more space for songs and photos, making it feel like a proper family project.
Can I choose any colour for the vinyl? We offer nine standard colours plus our heart-shaped vinyl. We can also do custom colours on request — just ask when you order.
What if I'm not confident with design? Our free Canva templates have the correct dimensions already built in. They're genuinely easy to use, and we're happy to help if you get stuck.
Do you deliver outside Australia? We currently deliver across Australia and New Zealand.
Ready to Make It?
He'll say he doesn't want anything. Make it anyway.
A custom vinyl record pressed with his favourite songs and your family photos is the kind of gift that doesn't need a bow. It speaks for itself — every time he puts it on.
Your moments. Your sounds. Let your memories spin forever.
👉 Order your Just for Dad Vinyl Record at phonolab.com.au
Questions? Reach out — we love hearing the stories behind the playlists.
Looking for a Different Occasion?
We've got you covered — check out our other custom vinyl record gift guides: