As you may have noticed, the vinyl market has exploded over the past several years, putting wax platters in big demand from labels and music fans alike. But in addition to good ol' black vinyl releases, labels have been treating the collectors market to limited-run colour variants and novelty pressings, which certain players in the record industry are now noting have gummed up the production schedule for regular releases.
A recent Wall Street Journal interview with Los Angeles-based plant Rainbo Records — which happens to be the second-biggest pressing plant in the U.S. and runs 24 hours a day, six days a week, using 14 machines — had president Steve Sheldon noting that small-run orders for scented wax, glow-in-the-dark 12-inches, "blood-splattered" or even "blood-filled" releases often hold up the pressing of traditional platters. This is in part due to cleaning off various shades of polyvinyl chloride from the record press eating up a good chunk of time.
"We could do another 2,500 records a day if we didn't do so many colour variations," Sheldon told the publication.
Sheldon will apparently try to up the production in the new year, though, having found a pair of presses in Canada he hopes to refurbish and install by next May.
In related news, levels of LPs pressed in Canada have hit a drastic low. Last week, the country's only pressing plant, RIP-V, reported that it was shutting down, and it's machines will be moved to a similar facility in New Jersey.
Thanks to AUX for the tip.
A recent Wall Street Journal interview with Los Angeles-based plant Rainbo Records — which happens to be the second-biggest pressing plant in the U.S. and runs 24 hours a day, six days a week, using 14 machines — had president Steve Sheldon noting that small-run orders for scented wax, glow-in-the-dark 12-inches, "blood-splattered" or even "blood-filled" releases often hold up the pressing of traditional platters. This is in part due to cleaning off various shades of polyvinyl chloride from the record press eating up a good chunk of time.
"We could do another 2,500 records a day if we didn't do so many colour variations," Sheldon told the publication.
Sheldon will apparently try to up the production in the new year, though, having found a pair of presses in Canada he hopes to refurbish and install by next May.
In related news, levels of LPs pressed in Canada have hit a drastic low. Last week, the country's only pressing plant, RIP-V, reported that it was shutting down, and it's machines will be moved to a similar facility in New Jersey.
Thanks to AUX for the tip.
