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Welcome to our FAQ page, where you can find answers to the most commonly asked
questions about Freestyle Vinyl and our custom vinyl records!
How Does The Upload Process Work?
Our upload process is super straightforward. No zip files, no extra emails, just a process designed to be as quick and easy as possible. It all starts with a purchase... Take a look at the upload process here: How To Upload Files with Freestyle Vinyl!
Can I Submit My Own Custom Jacket Artwork?
Yes! When you purchase your record with a custom jacket, it will come automatically with a standard back jacket that includes our logo (hey, we're proud to be part of your project!) and your playlist. If you would like to upload your own back cover, you will be able to do so... most do!
We will print exactly what you submit, and do not add any text or graphics to your design. We may make small adjustments to ensure your design is centered or white space is minimized, but do not count on our editorial expertise! Submit your design exactly as you want it printed.
Can I Turn My Favorite CD or Tape into a Custom Vinyl Record?
If you have purchased a copy of your music on CD or tape, the easiest way to make a personal copy on vinyl is to "rip" your tracks from the CD / tape into digital files - mp3s.Once you have completed that step, simply follow the upload process to create your personalized vinyl record!
mp3, mp4, and wav files will work. Unfortunately we are not able to use other large-format file types like .flac.
To ensure high-quality sound, we recommend any file uploaded be at least 200 kbps - above 300 would be ideal. The higher the better!
No! If you utilize a streaming service to listen to music, that's great. But you don't own those songs, and can't upload them to our system.
This includes Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc. and also applies to YouTube videos.
Freestyle Vinyl's state-of-the-art lathe technology includes auto-mastering software that means you do not need to have your audio mastered for vinyl.
Like any other auto-master service, this is a "good for most" solution, and if you have very particular needs from your master, you may well achieve best results by having your own mastering work done!
Absolutely! Voice recorder apps like Voice Memo, Rev, and others can all produce tracks with excellent sound quality. You can build your record with any type of audio file -- it doesn't necessarily need to be music!
If you'd like to add a voice message to a "no mp3 required" album, just mark that personal message as a track on your playlist, and email the track to us at contact@freestyle-vinyl.com
We have cut records with as little as one track, and as many as 30 tracks. No matter how many tracks you have, each custom record can only hold a certain amount of audio time:
REFUNDS
We can provide refunds at any point if production has not yet begun on your record. As our products are custom-made, one-of-a-kind creations, once the product has been made we cannot provide refunds.
Expediting fees are nonrefundable once production has started. Gift cards are nonrefundable.
REPLACEMENTS
Replacements may occur when your record has arrived with a defect that materially affects the quality of the record playback. Examples include warped sound, consistent skipping, or tracks that you did not request being used in the production of the record.
Although our records are designed to be enjoyed for years, vinyl records are a physical media, and may wear down after repeated use or by scratchings, bumps, or other household mishaps. As such, all replacement requests must be made within 6 months of the date your vinyl was delivered.
Your return will be processed as follows:
Please note that we are happy to send replacement record labels if your custom label did not print correctly. However, as custom labels are a free, non-guaranteed service we provide for our customers, we will not be able to replace an entire album due to a custom label issue. Please allow 2-3 weeks for any returns to be analyzed and communicated.
POST-PURCHASE EDITS TO YOUR ORDER
If you make additional edits after submitting your record for production (e.g. requesting a new jacket photo, or changing out a song), we will do our best, but manual updates may not get reflected in your order. If your order does not reflect manual updates made after the fact, we will do our best to issue a replacement, however will not be able to provide a refund. Please do your best to have complete information available upon purchase!
Almost certainly, we do! You can find shipping rates and times in the Shipping page of the checkout process. Those rates and times are set by the USPS, and depend on the exact address you are shipping to.
Please note that your country may charge customs fees for merchandise shipped from the US. That may be a separate charge determined by your country's customs authorities. Unfortunately we are not able to pay those customs fees on your behalf, and you may be contacted by your customs authority to pay them.
At Freestyle Vinyl, most orders are shipped within 1-3 weeks.
If you're in a rush, we offer "Front of the Line" services. With "Front of the Line" you will be the next record we cut!
Please note that "Front of the Line" service is the only way to guarantee a delivery date.
All of our custom vinyl record jackets are made of the highest-quality-possible material. Blank and spray-painted pattern jackets are made with non-glossy surface so that you can easily draw, write, and otherwise design your jacket further once it gets to you.
Our custom jackets are thick, durable material with a true spine that also prints in full, true color. They're perfect for display, while standing up just as strong (if not stronger) than a standard jacket!
We do not recommend printing specifically for the spine, as the custom jacket printing process is just imprecise enough that we are not able to guarantee the exact placement of your spine text / graphics. Rather, your front jacket design will 'wrap' around the spine!
Generally, you can expect a high-quality (and certainly 100% unique-to-you) vinyl listening experience! But it is important to remember that lathe-cut records are not the same as mass-pressed vinyl.
As a result, there are a few differences to expect:
If there are any quality concerns or questions, always feel free to reach out!
Freestyle Vinyl offers best-in-class audio times for each type of vinyl record we sell, maxing out at 22 minutes per side for a 12" record:
These time limits allow us to provide the most audio possible, while also preserving the high quality our customers expect!
Your custom record will adhere to standard rpm options available on all standard turntables:
If you need a different rpm for your record, we may be able to accommodate -- reach out with your request!
Generally speaking, yes! However, just as there is a difference going from an mp3 to a vinyl record, there are differences going from digital photo to printed jacket:
Dark details (e.g. very subtle changes in color on the black/brown side of the color spectrum) may get lost. We recommend adding brightness to your jacket design to ensure details are printed clearly.
Your custom jacket design may include up to 1/2" of bleed when printed. Keep all important text or graphics at least 1/2" off of the edge to ensure there is no loss of critical details.
Please always keep in mind that we print exactly what you submit for a custom jacket, and do not add any text, graphics, or other details prior to printing!
The short answer is yes! The longer answer is below...
The custom vinyl creation process is very detailed and laborious, and our production team will do its best to accommodate changes made after the point of purchase (as long as production has not yet started on your record).
If your order does not reflect manual updates made after the fact, we will do our best to issue a replacement, however will not be able to provide a refund. Please do your best to have complete information available upon purchase!
Freestyle Vinyl reserves the right to refuse to print a jacket or label if the content is deemed to be:
Basically - if you wouldn't want your mom to see it, we won't make our employees print it. Keep it PG-13 people!
If there are concerns with your printable materials, we will reach out to discuss with you and ask you to change them. If you refuse to update your printable materials per the above stipulations, Freestyle Vinyl reserves the right to cancel your original order.
We are currently offering black, clear, red, and white records! We are always looking at adding other colors so if you'd like to see a specific color, let us know at contact@freestyle-vinyl.com!
A vinyl record will not contain the same level of stereo effects as is possible within your digital files. That is just a limitation of the vinyl medium. While most lathe-cut vinyl records will be entirely mono, our state-of-the-art lathes do allow for some stereo playback.
Our rule of thumb is that your record will have about 25-30% of the stereo effects held in your digital file.
Yes! Each record is produced with our standard record label. It includes a take on our logo and your track list. However, if you have your own design, we'd be happy to print them for you.
Once you make your purchase, you can email your custom center labels to us at contact@freestyle-vinyl.com.
As with custom jackets, we will print exactly what you submit, and will not add any text or graphics. For reference, our center labels are 3.5" in diameter, and we recommend keeping any important text or graphics at least 1/4" off the edge to account for printing 'bleed'.
Yes! If you purchase 2 records and would like them to arrive in a plain white gatefold jacket, please email us to let us know. There will be no extra charge.
If you would like to purchase a custom gatefold jacket, you can do so here: https://freestyle-vinyl.com/collections/vinyl-extras/products/custom-jackets
Our system will reject jacket files for one of three reasons:
If you have any questions about your files, please feel free to contact us at contact@freestyle-vinyl.com!
We require at least 1,000 pixels tall / wide to make sure your record photo will print. In order to print cleanly and crisply, we highly recommend your photos contain at least 3,000 pixels tall / wide. Please note that your custom jacket should follow the below guidelines:
We print exactly what you submit, so the proof is the photo(s) you used! We won't send another proof, as that would be redundant.
All specs and dimensions are included in our uploader tools, and our system will reject a file that doesn't work for your jacket.
So, once you've successfully submitted your artwork, that is all you need to do! Our team will custom-print your artwork for you.
As much as we love cutting and printing your custom creations, we are not designers, and so do not create artwork on your behalf.
We follow this policy to ensure that you receive exactly what you would like, and there are no miscommunications or worries about incorrect font type, text size, cropping, etc.
If you are not sure how to add text or other elements to your design, we like to recommend www.canva.com or www.befunky.com!
Please email us at contact@freestyle-vinyl.com to discuss! We would love to be a part of your project. Each record is lathe-cut in real time, so each record takes significant time and effort form our production team. So we can't slash and burn prices. But we love to make vinyl dreams come true, so we'll see what we can do!
Absolutely not. All costs are reflected in the straightforward number you see on the website!
Yes! You can create your own audio files, whether they are voice memos, musical songs, or anything else you can dream up. As long as you have the mp3s, you can put it on a vinyl!
Are you creating a record with music that you created and performed? Then yes!
Are you using tracks that you have purchased? Then you are only able to create a record(s) for personal use. Copyright law is clear: You can create a mix of music you have already purchased (like we used to do with mixtapes and CDs) but you cannot then sell that mix as your own work.
Yes! Your personalized record is designed to play on just about any turntable.
One caveat... Your custom record may not align with a turntable's (or jukebox's) automated functions, like auto-start and auto-stop. You may need to turn those auto-settings off and hand-place your needle in the groove in order to play your record.
Yes! You can find our gift card options via this link.https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/products/custom-vinyl-gift-card
Is It Possible to Get A Custom Vinyl Made?
Yes! You can create your custom vinyl record with Freestyle Vinyl, in 12", 10", or 7" sizes. Customize your audio and artwork for a 100% unique-to-you vinyl record.
With Freestyle Vinyl, you can create one unique record starting at $29.99. Unlike pressed records, your order can start at just one copy!
If you have created and own tracks, you can use Freestyle Vinyl to "burn" your tracks onto a vinyl, just like you used to be able to do with a mixtape or CD!
If you have created and own tracks, you can use Freestyle Vinyl to "burn" your tracks onto a vinyl, just like you used to be able to do with a mixtape or CD!
