Ah, How Many Records Should I Order For My Project?!
How many records to press for your first custom vinyl pressing? At Hellbender Vinyl, we help artists navigate this decision every day. Here's the truth about vinyl pressing: setup costs (mastering, plating, test pressings) stay the same whether you press 100 or 1,000 records. That's why the per-unit price drops dramatically with larger orders. Today, we’re hoping this blog post will serve as a guide for you, the client, in deciding how many records you should buy. Remember, we offer a monthly payment plan through Shop so if the numbers feel huge, we can work that down to a smaller monthly payment.We also have a video centered around this topic if you want to check that out as well. We want you to get what works for you.
Typical pricing at Hellbender Vinyl:
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100 copies: $16.99 per record ($1800-$2500 total)
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200 copies: $10.99 per record ($2200-$2900 total)
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300 copies: $8.99 per record ($2,700-$3200 total)
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500 copies: $5.99 per record ($3000-$3800 total)
While vinyl pressing 100 copies costs more per unit, it's often the smartest choice for first-time pressers. Buying 100 copies makes sense when:
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You're testing demand for your first vinyl release
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You have a niche audience (experimental music, local scene, specific genre)
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Capital is limited and you can't risk $6,000-9,000
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You want collectibility - numbered editions of 100 command premium prices ($30-50+)
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Storage is a concern - 500 records require significant space
At Hellbender Vinyl, we've seen countless artists successfully launch with small runs. A sold-out pressing of 100 is infinitely better than 500 records collecting dust in your garage.
Press 500 or more with our vinyl pressing services when:
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You have pre-orders confirming demand (150+ orders makes 500 copies low-risk)
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You tour regularly - live shows are where vinyl moves
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You need distribution - stores prefer adequate inventory
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You want better margins - at $13-18 per record, you can actually profit
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You're an established artist with proven sales history
The better unit economics of larger runs allow you to wholesale to stores, run promotions, and still make money.
At Hellbender Vinyl, we often recommend 300 copies for indie artists. This quantity:
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Reduces per-unit cost by 30-40% compared to 100
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Provides enough inventory for modest distribution
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Requires less capital than 500+
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Maintains "limited edition" appeal
Don’t forget we make 7 inch vinyl, too! A 45 pressing is also a smart entry point into vinyl. Our 7 inch vinyl pressing services typically run $1,500-2,500 for 100 copies - perfect for:
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Testing the waters with lower investment
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Promotional singles
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Split releases
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Building your catalog gradually
It’s also good to consider before you place your order:
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How many CDs/downloads have you sold? (Best predictor of vinyl demand)
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Do you tour regularly? (Live shows move the most vinyl)
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Can you afford to sit on unsold inventory?
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Do you have pre-orders that de-risk the investment?
When you contact us at Hellbender Vinyl, we'll have an honest conversation about what quantity makes sense for YOU if you aren’t sure of how many you need. We're not here to oversell - we're here to help you succeed.
Please keep aware that pressing records take time, and you’ll want to this in mind to ensure you get your records when you want:
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Order 4-6 months before your target release date
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Have mastering and artwork ready
So the bottom line really is -
Choose 100 copies if: You're testing the waters, have limited capital, or want collectible scarcity
Choose 300 copies if: You want the sweet spot between cost and risk (our recommendation for most indie artists)
Choose 500+ copies if: You have confirmed demand, tour actively, or need distribution-ready inventory
Consider 7-inch pressing if: You want to test our services with minimal investment
At Hellbender Vinyl, we specialize in custom record pressing for independent artists. Every quantity is treated with the same care and quality, whether you're pressing 100 or 3,000.
Whether you need vinyl pressing 100 copies for a limited release or custom pressed vinyl for wider distribution, Hellbender Vinyl delivers quality you can hear and service you can trust. Contact us today for any questions, or check out our quote builder on our website. We can’t wait to hear from you!
