I got into vinyl back in 2017—digging collections in Venezuela, cleaning records, grading them, and shipping them on eBay. When exporting from Venezuela became too expensive, I made a pivot. In 2021, I launched custom records on Etsy under the name Caracas Vintage, and today I run my Shopify store, ccsvintage.com. Different platform, same obsession: make something personal and do it right.
What is a custom vinyl record (and why it hits different)
A custom vinyl record is your one-off: your audio (voice notes, vows, baby giggles, DJ sets, band demos) plus your visuals (photos/art) on the sleeve and labels. I’ve seen firsthand why these gifts work: they’re deeply personal, they look beautiful, and they play—literally.
My take: the real magic is using your own recordings—vows, guest messages, a cover you performed, your kid’s first words. It’s safer legally and far more meaningful than ripping a commercial track. (Physical copies of commercial songs usually require licensing; see the U.S. Copyright Office’s guidance on Section 115 for musical compositions, and note it doesn’t cover sound recordings themselves. See also U.S. Copyright Office & Legal Information Institute.
How it works — files → mastering → design → approval → fabrication
- Upload your audio (WAV/MP3) and images.
- We curate & master: I check files, clean issues, and normalize loudness so every track sits at a consistent level.
- Design your cover: use our free Canva templates (over 20 modern options) or send us your assets, and we’ll design it for you.
- Approval: I always send a mock-up and wait for your approval before proceeding to production.
- We oversee fabrication & shipping: I’m a curator, not a factory. I work with two U.S. plants and manage the process from start to finish until your record arrives safely. If anything goes sideways, I fix it.
We don’t use Spotify/YouTube/Apple links. If you truly need licensed songs, read about mechanical licensing (e.g., via Harry Fox Agency) and the conditions of 17 U.S.C. §115—but for one-offs it’s usually impractical. Harry Fox Agency & Legal Information Institute.
Minutes-per-side (7" / 10" / 12"), auto-stop & track counts
All at 33⅓ RPM (my real-world guidance):
| Size | Recommended max/side | Absolute max* | Typical tracks/side |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7" | ~5 min | ~7 min | Up to 3 |
| 10" | ~12 min | ~14 min | Up to 4 |
| 12" (black) | ~20 min | ~22–24 min | Up to 9 (I’ll advise) |
| 12" (translucent / picture / metallic) | ~20 min | ~20 min (stricter) | Up to 6 |
*Max varies by finish/plant and affects volume/inner-groove quality. Longer sides = lower loudness.
Auto-stop gotcha: suitcase players often lift the arm near the inner groove (~20 min on a 12"). If playback stops early or gets weird near the center, turn off auto-stop—your record is fine.
Lathe-cut vs. pressed (pros/cons & use cases)
- Lathe-cut (what we make): cut one by one; ideal for 1–50 copies, with full personalization and a reasonable turnaround. Trade-off: plays a bit quieter than mass-pressed LPs.
- Pressed: fantastic for 100+ copies and uniform high volume, but setup fees/MOQs make it overkill for single gifts.
If you want to dive deeper into the method, The Vinyl Factory offers a solid beginner’s guide to lathe cutting; recent press also highlights how lathe-cutting has grown in popularity for bespoke, short-run projects. thevinylfactory.com & The Guardian
Design your cover (no design degree needed)
You get free Canva templates with your order. Drag and drop photos, tweak text, and done. Prefer not to design? Send your assets—We’ll lay it out and send a mock-up. We also upscale soft images and keep faces away from trims and folds. Simple = better.
Safe audio: original & royalty-free (why not streaming links)
We prioritize your recordings (or royalty-free music). Recording commercial songs onto a physical format generally needs mechanical licensing; for reference, read Section 115 and HFA’s overview. If you’re an artist/DJ and you own your songs, you’re already set. Legal Information Institute & Legal Harry Fox Agency
Quick legal clarity (plain English):
- Music composition (the song) ≠ sound recording (a particular recorded performance).
- Section 115 concerns the composition for making/distributing phonorecords; it doesn’t grant rights to use someone else’s sound recording. U.S. Copyright Office
Pricing & options (US-focused) + “contact us” for custom builds
- Sizes: 12" listed; 7" & 10" available on request → contact us.
- Finishes: black, translucent colors (e.g., red), metallic gold/silver, picture discs, full-disc image.
- Covers: standard printed sleeve, custom printed sleeve, and gatefold cover → contact us.
- Typical pricing: 12" black from $115; metallics up to $200; 7" ~$70; 10" ~$90–$100; custom sleeves $30–$35.
I’ve personally shipped 12"/10"/7" in black, translucent red, and metallic silver/gold through both partner plants. Print stocks vary (glossy vs. matte); I’ll advise what fits your artwork.
Production & shipping (peak season & rush)
- Production: usually 3–5 days off-peak; up to 30 days mid-Nov → late-Feb.
- Rush: premium partner available for 1–2-day fabrication when time is critical (higher cost).
- Shipping: free USPS in the U.S.; UPS upgrades available. International shipping available (Canada/UK/AU/PH/ID/NZ); please note that duties and longer transit times may apply.
If a carrier misdelivers or a record arrives damaged, please send a short video — we will replace or refund the item. I’m in this for happy endings, not arguments.
Playback tips (from my bench)
- Expect lathe-cuts to play a little quieter than retail LPs; that’s normal for the method.
- Good turntables and decent speakers do justice to your record; suitcases work, just manage auto-stop and expectations.
- First spin? Let the stylus ride the grooves—surface noise often settles after a couple of plays.
For artists & DJs (rights-owned content)
Short runs for singles, EPs, dubplates, and private presses. Please send WAV (24-bit) if possible; I’ll assist with side splits, gaps, sequencing, and loudness adjustments. Lathe-cut is economical for 1–50 copies, and you keep full creative control.
We’re curators, not a factory (and that’s a feature)
We don’t press records in-house. We curate the whole journey: file checks, mastering, artwork, plant coordination, QC, and support. Today, we work with two U.S. manufacturers; we're actively exploring partners in Europe and Asia to cover those regions more quickly. If something’s not right, we take responsibility and make it right.
What buyers say (quick snapshot)
From our Etsy years (now on Shopify): 1,700+ reviews with an average of 4.9★. What people mention the most:
great gift, easy process & clear templates, fast shipping (often earlier than expected), responsive communication.
That’s my favorite part—turning your idea into a record you can hold.
FAQs
Can you put Spotify/YouTube songs on my record?
We focus on your recordings (or royalty-free music) to avoid licensing issues. For reference on licensing physical phonorecords of compositions, see Section 115 and HFA (licensing hub).
How many minutes per side?
See the table above - shorter sides play louder/cleaner. We’ll advise based on your audio.
Will it work on my suitcase turntable?
Yes, but disable auto-stop and expect lathe-cuts to be a bit quieter than retail LPs.
Can you make two copies?
Yes - lathe-cut lets us do 1, 2, or a handful without huge setup costs.
What if my art is low-res?
We’ll upscale and adjust the layout to avoid awkward crops. You’ll always get a mock-up before we fabricate.
Transparency, trust & links (why they matter to Google)
Google recommends helpful, reliable, people-first content—show who wrote it, how it was made, and why. That’s why I include my background, our process, and clear policies. Google for Developers
Linking out to relevant, high-quality sources can build trust for readers (and give proper context). When appropriate, we cite primary sources (e.g., U.S. Copyright Office, Cornell LII) and industry hubs (e.g., HFA, The Vinyl Factory). For link hygiene: use regular links for reputable references; reserve them rel="sponsored" for paid links and rel="ugc" for user-generated content; you don’t need them rel for regular editorial links. Google for Developers
Helpful extras (optional reading)
- U.S. Copyright Office — Section 115 (Compulsory License) / Circular 73 (what it covers—and what it doesn’t). U.S. Copyright Office
- 17 U.S.C. §115 — Cornell Law (LII) (primary legal text). Legal Information Institute.
- Harry Fox Agency — Mechanical Licensing (industry hub for physical/download licensing). Harry Fox Agency
- A beginner’s guide to lathe cutting (The Vinyl Factory). thevinylfactory.com
- Audacity Manual (if you’re curious about the editor I use for mastering/cleanup). manual.audacityteam.org
- People-first content & link best practices (Google Search Central). Google for Developers
Quick glossary (plain English)
- Lathe-cut: a record cut one by one on a lathe; ideal for short runs; plays a bit quieter than pressed LPs.
- Pressed: mass manufacturing with metal stampers; great for 100+ copies.
- Mechanical license: permission to reproduce/distribute a composition (the song) on a phonorecord (vinyl, CD). It doesn’t grant rights to the sound recording you don’t own. U.S. Copyright Office
- Auto-stop: a turntable feature that lifts the arm near the inner groove; handy, but it can stop quiet/long sides early—toggle it off.
