CD & Vinyl FAQ
Hey there. We've compiled a short list of frequently asked CD & Vinyl questions for you. If you have additional questions or need more info, please feel free to contact us at 877-306-2954, Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm CST, or by email at cdvinyl@veoba.com.
1. What is the turnaround time on a CD order?
2. What is the turnaround time on a CD reorder?
3. What is the turnaround time on a LP or 7” order?
4. What is the turnaround time on a Short-Run order?
5. What can I do to hex my project?
6. What do you mean by 10% over/under?
7. How do I get a UPC Barcode?
9. What is the difference between panels & pages, booklets & folders?
10. What does 4/1, 4/4, 4/0, and 1/1 mean?
12. What art programs should I use to do my artwork?
13. How much does VEOBA charge to make changes to my art files?
15. Does VEOBA listen to my submitted audio master?
16. Should I listen to my audio master before I submit my order?
17. Will my finished CDs sound like the audio master I am submitting?
18. Do you replicate or duplicate your CDs & DVDs?
19. What do I need to do if I have covers or samples on my audio master?
20. Will I get my audio master and art files back with my finished order?
21. What if there is something I want to order that is not listed on the VEOBA website?
22. What if I have some other questions that are not listed here?
1. What is the turnaround time on a CD order? (Back To Top)
Once we receive your order (with all of the specs, forms, payment) … we will email you in 2-4 business days with some PDF proofs for approval. Once you approve all proofs for your project via email, your turnaround time is approximately 10-12 business days. You will need to add in time for shipping (1-5 business days, depending on where you are located). VEOBA can expedite your shipping and we can set up multiple drop-ships for your added convenience, for an additional charge.
To save yourself extra time … make sure you double check that you have all paperwork filled out, the payment submitted, and that your art files are to spec (and triple check for typos).
2. What is the turnaround time on a CD reorder? (Back To Top)
Turnaround time on a CD Reorder is approximately 8-12 business days, plus time for shipping. That’s it. Really.
3. What is the turnaround time on a LP or 7” order? (Back To Top)
Please contact VEOBA for the current turnaround time on vinyl orders. Since there are many more steps (and parts) to making vinyl, this process takes more time. Not only will you have PDF proofs to approve, but you will also have test pressings to approve.
4. What is the turnaround time on a Short-Run order? (Back To Top)
Please contact VEOBA for the current turnaround time on Short-Run orders. It completely depends on what you are ordering, but we can turn some orders in as little as 3 days.
5. What can I do to hex my project? (Back To Top)
Simple answer: Set a release date, or release show before your finished order is in your hands. Please set release date and release shows after you have the finished product in hand. Plus, you will want to send out product to local press (and maybe radio) to help promote your release anyway. VEOBA is responsible for getting you a fantastic finished product … but we are not responsible for getting your product to your release show.
6. What do you mean by 10% over/under? (Back To Top)
10% over/under is an industry standard. Although a majority of our orders ship exact quantities, some ship a little over, or a little under. After your CDs are replicated, each CD undergoes a quality control test to make sure they meet critical quality certifications. However, some discs don't pass this test with these discs must be destroyed. To make sure you end up with at least the number of CDs you ordered, the CD plant will actually manufacture more discs than ordered. So… if you order 1,000 CDs you can end up with a final quantity between 900 – 1,100. An order between these numbers is considered complete.
NOTE: You are responsible to pay for UP TO 10% overs. If VEOBA ships short you will be credited for the copies you did not receive.
7. How do I get a UPC Barcode? (Back To Top)
VEOBA offers barcodes for only $15 for clients' projects that use our Printing, CD, DVD, Vinyl, or Digital Distribution services.
Here is the IMPORTANT part: If you need a barcode for your project, you must request it BEFORE you send us your art files or film. We will email it to you as an EPS file that you can drop into your artwork files. We can drop a UPC barcode into your art files for you, but this service will cost an additional $75 in graphics charges.
If you do not want to use the VEOBA services (which would be very upsetting), we can sell you a bar code for $50.
8. What is SoundScan? (Back To Top)
Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada. Sales data from point-of-sale cash registers is collected weekly from over 14,000 retail, mass merchant and non-traditional (on-line stores, venues, etc.) outlets. Weekly data is compiled and made available every Wednesday. Nielsen SoundScan is the sales source for the Billboard music charts.
You can register your barcode for FREE; simply download the SoundScan application form and submit it to SoundScan (not VEOBA) here: http://en-us.nielsen.com/etc/content/nielsen_dotcom/en_us/home/industries/media/entertainment.mbt.1079.RelatedLinks.93274.MediaPath.pdf
9. What is the difference between panels & pages, booklets & folders? (Back To Top)
A "panel" is defined as one side of a printable square. A “page” is the same as a “panel” – pages refer to stapled booklets, and panels refer to folded folder. For example, a 4 Panel Folder is made up of: a cover, a left inside, right inside, and a back cover (one fold). So on a 4 Panel Folder you would have 4 separate square panels on which to print.
Folder = a printed insert with FOLDS.
Booklet = a printed insert with STAPLES. All booklets are divisible by 4 (8 pages, 12 pages, 16 pages…).
10. What does 4/1, 4/4, 4/0, and 1/1 mean? (Back To Top)
CMYK, also known as full-color process, or four-color process, is a color system used in printing, CMYK refers to the 4 inks used in most color printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key black (or just blacK). Different percentages of these four colors make up full color images.
4/0 = CMYK (outside) / No Printing (inside)
4/1 = CMYK (outside) / Black & White (inside)
4/4 = CMYK (all sides)
1/1 = Black & White (all sides)
11. What is a PMS Color? (Back To Top)
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color system that assigns a numbering system to specific colors, and shade of those colors.
- You need to set up the CD or DVD Face Files in Solid Coated PMS Colors.
- We DO accept CMYK for the disc face, but these will print on the offset press which might incur an extra charge. Please contact VEOBA before placing your order.
- You may add PMS Color(s) to your print (folders, LP jackets, digipaks, etc.) which will incur an extra charge. Please contact VEOBA before placing your order.
12. What art programs should I use to do my artwork? (Back To Top)
Layout: For layout please use InDesign and Illustrator.
Design/Photos: For images and photo manipulation use Photoshop. Photoshop is NOT a layout program. DO NOT CREATE TEXT IN PHOTOSHOP! Text created in Photoshop tends to print jagged and not clean.
ALL images need to be in no less than 300 DPI and converted to CMYK or Grayscale.
Placing files is much better than embedding them.
PLEASE PLACE THE BARCODE IMAGE, if you are using one, in your artwork… DO NOT EMBED IT.
13. How much does VEOBA charge to make changes to my art files? (Back To Top)
If you are in a bind, or see a typo on a proof we can make the change for you, but our graphics department fee is $75 per hour, with a minimum of ½ hour billable time. Ouch! Yep, so make sure you double check your files before sending them. Also, extra rounds of PDF proofs incur extra charges.
14. What is a Topspine UPC? (Back To Top)
A Topspine UPC is a sticker that is applied over a closed Jewel Case (they do not fit so well on Digipaks, but we can still do them for an extra fee). Most major label releases use them, so if you just go to a local record store you will be able to see them ... if you have a local record store. The Topspine Sticker has the following information on it:
Band/Artist Name
Release Title
Catalog Number
Bar Code Number & Image
Topspine stickers are not required (although some distributors require them), but they are a good option for those who do not want to place the bar code into their artwork but still need a bar code. There are no graphics set up needed for these, just make sure your Quote and Order form reflect that you want Topspines on your CD, and fill out the Topspine Form on our site.
15. Does VEOBA listen to my submitted audio master? (Back To Top)
No. We have no idea what it is supposed to sound like, so we do not listen to it. Plus you do not want to over play an audio master because it might get scratches and scuffs making the transfer to the glass master fail.
16. Should I listen to my audio master before I submit my order? (Back To Top)
Simple answer: Yes!
When VEOBA receives your order, we will check your CD-R master to make sure that it is error free, so we can make a Stamper (aka Glass Master) from it. We do NOT listen to the content of the disc. It is your responsibility to carefully listen to it at least once to make sure tracks are in the right order, it sounds good, and that there are no digital pops or anything that should not be on it. We replicate a byte for byte disc from what you provide us.
If you accidentally send us a mix CD you made your friend instead of your audio master, we cannot guarantee we will catch it before your CDs are pressed.
If you are ordering Vinyl (7” or 12”) you WILL get Test Pressings before we press up your records.
NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER send us your only copy of your master. PERIOD.
Do NOT send us the CD copy of your master that has been in your car or stereo that you have played over and over.
17. Will my finished CDs sound like the audio master I am submitting? (Back To Top)
Answer: Yes! We do not tweak levels. We do not add or subtract time. VEOBA just transfers your music or data bit for bit and gives you high quality CDs in return. Same is true for our Short-Runs, just orders under 500 will be on burned CD-Rs.
18. Do you replicate or duplicate your CDs & DVDs? (Back To Top)
Answer: Both. Orders UNDER 500 CDs & DVDs are considered Short-Runs and these will be done in our Duplication process (burned CDs & DVDs). The Short-Runs still have printing on the Disc Face and look extremely professional. Orders of 500 & OVER are made in a manufacturing plant using the Replication process (making all CDs & DVDs from a Glass Master Stamper).
19. What do I need to do if I have covers or samples on my audio master? (Back To Top)
If you have covers (your version of other people’s songs) or samples (direct usage of other people’s recordings) you need to submit to VEOBA the correct paperwork (mechanical license) letting us know you are paying the correct parties their dues (royalties). The best place to start to help get you the right legal paperwork would be the Harry Fox Agency:
http://www.harryfox.com/index.jsp
VEOBA will not be held responsible for a client not paying the proper royalties and licensing fees, that is why we require IPR Forms for each order, and Mechanical Licenses if necessary.
20. Will I get my audio master and art files back with my finished order? (Back To Top)
No. But … you can request them back once your balance is paid and we will gladly have it shipped back to you.
Audio Master: We will hold all audio masters for one year from the order date. After that time we are not responsible for your audio master.
Art Files: We will not return or store your art files. PLEASE keep a copy of your art files for your records.
21. What if there is something I want that is not listed on the VEOBA website? (Back To Top)
Call or email VEOBA. We can see if we can get you what you are looking for, or at least point you in the right direction on where to find it.
22. What if I have some other questions that are not listed here? (Back To Top)
Call VEOBA … email VEOBA. We are here to help you get what you want. No question is a waste of time. We understand that not everyone has gone through this process, so we are here to help you out… not to be snobby and uptight. This is not some Cool Kids Blog … this is VEOBA.
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