FAQs

When will my Custom Vinyl Record be delivered?

We guarantee a two week turnaround (plus delivery) on all Custom Vinyl Records and Dub Plates although we try our best to get your records out the studio as soon as possible.

We post all our custom vinyl records with Australia Post. We recommend selecting Express Shipping as this is the fastest and most reliable service available.

Unfortunately we're unable to provide production updates whilst we make your records but when your custom vinyl record is in the post you'll receive tracking information from our online shop!

If you'd like reassurance that everything is OK, feel free to email or call us, we'll be happy to assist.

What is a lathe cut vinyl record?

Lathe cut vinyl records are one-off creations created by transcribing digital audio files onto a blank disc (the record) using an incredibly small & sharp diamond cutting stylus.

Our vinyl cutting lathes use a heated diamond stylus to minimize any background noise which produces a deep, lasting groove that will stand up to the usual wear and tear but also extreme use like scratch DJing.

The procedure results in a high quality and unique vinyl record. Every lathe-cut record is recorded direct-to-vinyl in real time. The time it takes to play the digital audio file is how long it takes to make the record itself.

The drive unit for our German lathe is the Technics SP-10MK2 Turntable, which operates within +/-0.03% (wow and flutter) of rated speed even under the load produced by the cutter head.

How does the quality of lathe cut vinyl records compare to a pressed vinyl record?

A common misnomer is that lathe cut records don't hold up to pressed records. This is simply not true. We've been DJing our lathe cut records in venues around Australia for many years and not once has someone complained about the quality.

We only use high quality digital audio files when creating your custom vinyl records. All audio is processed via a sophisticated audio chain which accurately transcribes the audio file to the record.

Don't worry if you're providing audio that is not in a lossless format, our lathes are set up to accommodate for all file formats and quality.

We are fully equipped to process audio files to facilitate their vinyl transcription if you do not have vinyl masters.

Another misnomer with lathe cut records is that they don’t last as long as pressed vinyl. This is only true of cut acetate. The lathe cut records we manufacture are just as durable as any record in the rest of your collection.

How do you transfer a playlist to a vinyl record?

We don't simply download your playlist, we just use it as a reference. For every new order we purchase each track individually for you. Since April 2022 until now (October 2025) we've spent approximately $25000 on music downloads, which go directly towards supporting your favorite bands and artists. Awesome right?

Under Australian law, a duplicate can be made for personal, non-commercial use (a quick Google on 'Format Shifting' can explain more). Just think of it as ripping your own CD except we're transcribing your music onto a vinyl record.

How to create your own covers and labels for a custom vinyl record

If you want to design your own artwork for your custom vinyl record we recommend using Canva. It's a free browser based design tool with lots of different designs to choose from. If making your own designs, please make sure to keep text/logos/artwork away from the edges as it make get trimmed when we cut your covers. Remember to do the same with your centre labels and don't forget we punch a small hole through the centre so avoid putting faces or text here.

If you need some pointers we've created a blog post called Creating Custom Vinyl Record Covers and Cenre Labels on Canva where you'll find step by step instructions (as well as Canva templates) on how to create your covers on a smart phone or computer.

If you'd like to use your own software please use the following specifications:

Front and Back Cover Artwork

(Square, 3mm bleed, 300DPI, exported as separate PDFs)

12″ – 300mm

10″ – 270mm

7″ – 180mm

Centre Label Artwork

(Circular, 3mm bleed, 300DPI, exported as separate PDFs)

12″ & 10″ – 100mm diameter

7″ – 94mm diameter

Will I receive a proof of my artwork?

If you require a proof of your covers and labels, please mention this in the comments box in the checkout stage. We will then send you a digital proof of your cover and labels prior to sending your artwork to our local printing supplier.

I keep on getting an error at checkout, what is going on?

If the artwork files you upload to your order are more than 20MB (in total) you will receive an error when trying to checkout.

There is a box on the product page where you can paste a download link to your files. We accept any file sharing platforms such as Google Drive, WeTransfer, OneDrive etc.

If it's easier, feel free to e-mail us the files after you've made your order. Just remember to include your order number so we can match up your assets.

Can I press my own music onto a custom vinyl record?

Yes we can. If we can play it, we can cut it!

Lossless file formats such as WAV and FLAC are ideal but we can cut any of the following (and more): AIFF, MP3, OGG, FLAC, M4P, AAC, ALAC and WMA. If your file format isn’t listed here, we are able to convert it.

We can also extract audio from CD. If you have an old album on Compact Disc you'd like to convert to vinyl we can do it!

How do I share a Spotify playlist?

Sharing a Spotify playlist is very straightforward. Watch the video below to find out more.

Do you do Short Run vinyl records?

The short answer is, sometimes! Get in touch with us to check availability.

Do you ship internationally?

We currently only ship to Australia & New Zealand.

My record was damaged in transit, what should I do?

Our records are sent via Australia Post and all packages are eligible for compensation if damaged in transit. If your record was damaged in transit please let us know as soon as possible and follow the steps below:

Present the damaged item and the packaging at a Post Office for a damage report to be completed (only the person to whom the item is addressed can present the item). Please note that not all Post Offices are able to complete damage reports. Please ask at your local outlet or look for Post Offices listed as Post Shops or Business Hubs in the Australia Post locations and hours tool.
Australia Post retail staff will submit a Customer Service Complaint on your behalf (you’ll need to leave the item and all packaging with our staff for processing).
Provide supporting documentation as requested. This may include proof of identity, a statutory declaration, receipts for postage or the item itself, and other item details.

In cases where compensation (including Extra Cover) may be payable, Australia Post generally pay compensation to:

the sender:
- for domestic items that are not received (lost)
- for all items sent overseas; or
the recipient, for items sent domestically and received with damaged or missing contents.

Notwithstanding the above, if a particular party provides Australia Post with a waiver, they will pay compensation to the other party instead.

For more information head to the Australia Post website.

Not finding the right answers?

info@phonolab.com.au

0249061180