Frequently Asked Questions
General
How do I place an order?
Start by requesting a quote or placing an order through our website. Once your order is confirmed, we'll send you everything you need to submit your audio, artwork, and project details.
When does production begin?
Production begins after we have received:
Full payment
Final approved audio
Final approved artwork
Completed project information
Signed Terms & Conditions and Copyright Agreement
Once everything is approved, your project enters the production queue.
How long does production take?
Most standard projects are completed within 6–8 weeks once we have received all required materials, approvals, and payment.
Production timelines begin only after everything has been submitted and approved and depend on prompt responses to approvals and project communications. Specialty vinyl, custom packaging, fulfillment, and production volume may affect turnaround times.
Audio & Mastering
Do I need vinyl mastering?
We strongly recommend it.
Vinyl has physical limitations that differ from digital formats. Proper vinyl mastering helps ensure the best possible playback and can prevent issues before manufacturing begins.
Can I use my digital master?
Sometimes.
Every project is reviewed by our audio engineer before production.
As part of this review, we check levels, fidelity, track sequencing, and make minor adjustments to optimize your audio for the physical requirements of vinyl.
If we determine that your project would benefit from more extensive mastering, we'll contact you with a recommendation before production begins.
Clients may choose to proceed without additional mastering; however, Object Permanence cannot guarantee optimal playback quality if recommended mastering is declined.
Can I make changes after approving my audio?
Changes can be made before lacquer cutting.
Once lacquer cutting has begun, changes require new lacquer cutting and metalwork and will incur additional costs.
Test Pressings
Do I need a test pressing?
For orders of 100–499 records, test pressings are available as an optional add-on.
For orders of 500 or more, five test pressings are included and will be produced unless you choose to waive them.
Test pressings are manufactured in black or mixed vinyl, use Object Permanence branded center labels, and do not include final printed packaging or custom labels.
If you're trying to save time or stay within budget, every production run still undergoes multiple quality control inspections, including playback testing on different turntable systems, before shipment.
What is a test pressing?
A test pressing confirms that the approved digital master has been accurately reproduced during manufacturing.
Test pressings are produced using black or mixed vinyl with Object Permanence branded center labels rather than your final production materials.
If you're happy with your approved digital master, your finished records should closely reflect that approval. Test pressings are primarily intended to verify the manufacturing process rather than make creative changes.
Artwork
What artwork files do you need?
We'll provide detailed artwork specifications after your order is placed.
Supplying print-ready files that meet our specifications helps keep your project on schedule.
Can you help with artwork?
Yes.
If you need assistance preparing artwork, let us know before production begins and we'll discuss available options.
Vinyl & Packaging
What vinyl colors do you offer?
We offer black, clear and white vinyl, a selection of standard colors, and rotating specialty effects including splatter and other custom finishes.
Availability changes over time, and exact color matches between pressings cannot be guaranteed.
Is black vinyl better than color vinyl?
For the best possible playback quality, we recommend solid-color vinyl.
Black vinyl is the industry standard, but any solid color generally performs better than multi-color effects because the PVC heats and flows more evenly during pressing.
If you're looking for the highest-fidelity listening experience, we recommend choosing a solid color.
If you prefer a multi-color effect, we generally recommend marbling over splatter for better overall playback consistency.
What's the difference between marbled and splatter vinyl?
Both are beautiful, but they're manufactured differently.
Marbled vinyl is created by layering or gently mixing multiple colors of PVC before pressing. This produces a swirling pattern while allowing the PVC to heat and flow more evenly, resulting in better playback consistency.
Splatter vinyl is made by pressing a solid vinyl puck with additional pieces of colored PVC placed on top. This creates bold, high-contrast patterns similar to tie-dye, but because the added PVC pieces heat differently, the record surface is inherently less uniform.
If appearance is your priority, splatter can produce stunning results. If sound quality is your priority, we recommend solid colors first, followed by marbled vinyl.
What packaging options are available?
We offer a variety of packaging options, including:
Printed jackets
Printed inner sleeves
Poly-lined inner sleeves
Inserts
Liner notes
Folded posters
Other specialty packaging
Available options may vary by project. Feel free to get in touch at records@objectperm.com and we will help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Shipping
Do you ship internationally?
Yes.
Shipping options are available both within the United States and internationally.
Is shipping insured?
Shipping insurance is included where available through the selected carrier.
Once an order has been shipped, any transit claims must be filed with the carrier, although we're happy to provide supporting documentation.
Represses
Can I reorder my record later?
Yes.
We retain usable stampers for approximately six months after your most recent pressing, or until they have produced approximately 1,000 records, whichever comes first.
As the storage period approaches its end, we may contact you about the opportunity to produce a repress while your existing metalwork is still available, helping reduce the cost of a future run.
If you choose to have your stampers returned, they cannot be reused by Object Permanence because we cannot verify their condition after they leave our custody.
Policies
Do you offer refunds?
Because vinyl manufacturing involves custom production, work already completed—including mastering, lacquer cutting, and plating—is non-refundable.
Can I cancel my order?
Orders may be cancelled before production begins.
Once production has started, completed work remains non-refundable.
What if there's a manufacturing defect?
If you experience a verified manufacturing defect, please contact us within 30 business days of delivery with your order number and photos if applicable. We'll review the issue and work with you to determine the appropriate resolution.
Where can I read your Terms & Conditions?
Our complete Terms & Conditions are available here and apply to all orders.