Checking the test pressings.

Purpose

A test pressing checks the lacquer cut, the plating and the pressing before the full run. It is made on 140-gram black vinyl, without printed labels.

What to check

• Track order and side sequence.
• Audio version and mastering.
• Locked grooves and any other cutting requests.
• Run-out engravings.
• Consistency of playback between the copies.

Listen to at least one copy in full, and compare any problem with the other copies you received.

Reporting a problem

If the same fault appears at the same point on every copy, tell us:

• Side and track.
• The exact timecode.
• A description of the problem.
• Photographs or video, where they help.

Playback checks

• An isolated click or pop on one copy alone usually does not mean a production fault.
• Distortion towards the centre can increase on long sides, particularly beyond 18–20 minutes.
• Before reporting a problem, try the record on another correctly calibrated turntable.
• Check the stylus, the tracking force, the cartridge alignment and the anti-skating.

Client lacquers

Where you supply the lacquers or the metal parts yourself, our control over the stages before pressing is limited. Clicks, tonal imbalance, distortion or compression may therefore come from the source material or the lacquer. Judge the test pressings carefully before approving the run.