A good record depends on the quality of its sound, pressing and packaging. This guide explains which variations are part of the manufacturing process, what to check, and how to let us know if you find a problem.
Start here: check that the record plays properly, contains the ordered audio and artwork, and arrives with intact packaging. A visible mark is not necessarily audible, and an audio fault is not always visible on the surface.
Jump to: sound · record shape and surface · colours · labels · sleeves and packaging · reporting a problem
Sound and playback
What is acceptable? Vinyl is a mechanical sound carrier. Low-level surface noise or an occasional crackle caused by dust or static does not, on its own, establish a manufacturing defect. Assessment also takes account of whether the problem repeats, the supplied audio, the test pressing and the playback setup.
When should you contact us? If clicks at the same point, skipping, locked grooves, unusual distortion or pitch fluctuations remain after cleaning. Also report missing or misplaced tracks, incorrect side order, or audio that differs from the supplied material. Incomplete groove formation, known as non-fill, can sound like a short, rough tearing noise; please show us this too.
How to check: clean the record and stylus according to their manufacturers’ instructions. Check the speed, tracking force and anti-skate settings. Replay the affected passage and, if possible, compare another copy and another correctly set up turntable. This helps locate the problem, but you do not need to establish its cause before reporting it.
Listen to both sides of your test pressing from start to finish. Approval concerns the audio; it does not replace checking the final colour, labels or sleeve. See our detailed guide: Test pressings: checks and corrections.
Record shape and surface
Scratches and surface marks
What is acceptable? A scratch is not considered a defect if it does not affect sound quality and is shorter than 20 mm and narrower than 0.5 mm. All three conditions must be met.
When should you contact us? If a scratch is audible, affects playback or falls outside these dimensions. A small scratch is not acceptable merely because it is within the dimensional limits if it affects the sound.
How to check: inspect the surface in diffuse light and listen to the affected passage. Take a photograph of the whole side and a close-up, preferably with a millimetre scale alongside it. Do not drag a measuring tool across the grooves.
Warping and centring
What is acceptable? Dish-shaped and wave-like warping must not exceed 2 mm. Using multiple colours may increase the risk of warping because of differences in material properties; the limit remains the same.
When should you contact us? If the record visibly exceeds this limit, the stylus lifts or skips, or playback becomes unstable. Also report grooves that move from side to side during rotation together with fluctuating pitch. An off-centre label is not the same as off-centre grooves.
How to check: for an initial check, place the record on a clean, flat surface without clamping it down. Photograph the largest gap from the side with a scale alongside it, then turn the record over and check the other side. A short side-on video can show movement during playback. Do not heat or attempt to flatten a copy you are reporting; contact us if the measurement is uncertain.
Colours, spots and individual patterns
What is acceptable? Patterns on coloured, marbled and splatter records can vary between copies. A mockup illustrates the intended colour effect rather than guaranteeing an identical pattern. With splatter records, we cannot control the exact amount or direction of the splashes.
A spot that differs significantly from the base colour must not exceed 0.5% of the total surface area. A spot of a similar shade must not exceed 1% of the total surface area. An intentional colour pattern must be distinguished from a spot caused by foreign contamination.
When should you contact us? If the record is not the ordered colour variant, you see foreign contamination, a spot exceeds these tolerances, or you experience a playback problem regardless of colour. Natural variation in a pattern does not replace investigating an audio fault.
How to check: photograph both sides in neutral light against the same background. Include full views and close-ups; mark each spot if there is more than one. We can discuss the affected area using the photographs and, where necessary, by examining the copy. A colour displayed on a screen is not a precise colour reference on its own.
Labels
Labels are exposed to heat and pressure during pressing. Minor surface variations and changes in the colour of the paper or print can occur. Labels and sleeves also use different materials and production processes, so their appearance may not be completely identical.
What is acceptable? The following label tolerances apply:
- Position: displacement of no more than 2 mm from the centre of the record.
- Hairline cracks: acceptable if the text remains legible.
- Blistering: outside the central ring, no more than 10% of the label’s total surface area.
- Tearing around the centre: no more than 5 mm.
- Surface tearing: no more than 15 mm², provided legibility is unaffected.
- Spots caused by vinyl granules: no more than 5% of the label’s total surface area; these can occur particularly on splatter records.
- Surface scratches: no longer than 20 mm, provided the top surface of the label is not torn through.
When should you contact us? If damage exceeds these tolerances, text is illegible, a label is incorrect or missing, or the A/B labels are reversed. Please also contact us about a significant colour difference from the approved print reference.
How to check: photograph the whole label straight on, then the affected area close up with a scale. Include the identifier in the runout area if it is readable, to help identify the side.
Sleeves, printing and packaging
What should you compare it with? The confirmed order, approved artwork and any agreed print sample. A monitor image alone is not a colour-accurate print reference. Paper, finishing and the printing process all affect the appearance of the finished product.
When should you contact us? If you find a torn sleeve, failed glue seam, seam split, damaged spine, incorrect artwork, missing insert or packaging that differs from the order. Printing, cutting and alignment variations are assessed against the particular product and approved material; this guide does not set a single millimetre tolerance for every type of packaging.
How to check: inspect the outer cartons on arrival too. If there is damage, photograph the carton, internal packaging and affected products. Keep the packaging and reported copies for inspection. For artwork preparation, see Artwork and templates.
Found a problem? Send us these details
Write to your order contact or use the details on our Contact page. Please report the issue even if you cannot yet identify its exact cause.
- Identification: order or catalogue number, artist and release title, and the delivery date.
- Quantity: how many copies you checked, how many are affected, and whether the same issue occurs on every copy.
- Visible issues: full views and close-up photographs with a scale; for shipping damage, include the packaging too.
- Audio issues: side, track title or number, exact timestamp and a short description. For example: “Side B, track 2, 01:24 – a click on every revolution.” Include a short audio or video recording.
- Playback: turntable and cartridge model, settings used, and whether the issue remains after cleaning or on another copy.
Deadlines and assessment
Under clause 3.4 of our manufacturing terms, products must be inspected immediately after delivery and quality complaints reported within 48 hours. Hidden defects must be reported promptly upon discovery and no later than two months after delivery. Do not wait until you have inspected the entire run before reporting a problem.
Your description and recordings help us identify the issue; we may also need the affected copies for inspection. Please coordinate any return with us. Clause 3.5 of the terms sets out the conditions for repair or replacement, including the manufacturing origin of the issue, the supplied material and test pressing, and the number of affected copies. Under the terms, the customer initially pays the return shipping cost; this is reimbursed if the complaint is found to be justified.
The 1% condition: clause 3.5(e) states that one condition for repair or replacement is that the disputed products exceed 1% of the delivered quantity. For 100 delivered copies, one copy is exactly 1%; two copies exceed it. This quantity condition does not by itself determine whether a particular issue is a manufacturing defect. Please report smaller affected quantities too so that we can discuss the particular case.
This guide helps you inspect your records and report problems. The full conditions for repair and replacement are set out in the manufacturing terms and the individual written agreement. Clause 5 covers test pressing approval and corrections.
Guide updated: 21 October 2026.