FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...
↘︎
Take a look at our FAQs and if you require further information or advice, please get in touch to discuss your project → info@bladudflies.com
GENERAL
Can I order single vinyl items?
Yes, if you don’t want the full vinyl package you can order just what you need.
What optional extras do you offer?
We offer mastering, digitally printed sleeves or inserts, digital printed centre labels.
We can engrave your record with a bespoke design.
We can design your sleeve and / or centre labels.
You offer mastering?
Yes! → BF! MASTERING. And we offer a healthy discount on mastering if we are cutting your vinyl. Get in touch for more information.
Refunds / Replacements
Every single cut is checked under a microscope and the sound spot checked before shipping. In the unlikely situation that there is a problem with your order, such as a defect or an artefact from the cutting process, please get in touch within 3 working days of receiving your order. Give clear details of the issue when getting in touch. In order to proceed with a refund or replacement you must return the affected copy(ies) within 14 days.
Please note: We can only refund or replace the number of copies we receive in return. Return via recorded delivery only as we cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged returns.
LATHE CUT VINYL
Can you tell me more about the pressed blanks you use?
The pressed blanks were introduced in July 2024 and we have been using them exclusively since.
On the one hand, it is wonderful to finally have so many options when it comes to colours. They also have the same feel and profile of a traditional pressed record found in stores across the world.
Those are the aesthetic benefits. The sonic benefits compared to the ‘plastic sheets cut into circles’ is enormous:
They require a shallower cutting angle and have an Increased surface rigidity. The shallower cutting angle minimises mechanical distortion and enables greater modulation amplitude within the groove.
This enhances groove precision and definition, resulting in better separation and clearer highs (more precise stylus tracking).
The noise floor is as quiet as a lacquer.
Not only better looking, but better sounding.
I have heard your pressed blanks are Injection Moulded PET, and sound as bad as ‘Bio-Vinyl’ and are “warped” - is this true?
Unfortunately, and especially within the UK, our industry is populated with hobbyists and amateurs who are either deliberating spreading false information, or unwittingly doing so through ignorance.
Firstly, PET is a terrible material to use (it kills the diamond styli we use at a very high rate) — this was discovered by our pressed blanks supplier +6 years ago already! If we used PET we would have gone bankrupt.
Likewise, if our pressed blanks sounded “bad” or were “warped” we would not be using them. Period. Since 2013 we have built our reputation on quality and we are not about to throw that all away for the sake of aesthetics and more colour options.
Throughout our website you will see quotes from our customers about the quality of the pressed blanks. Please feel free to contact them and ask them directly. Our customers, both repeat and new, are delighted with the quality of the pressed blanks.
Lastly, order a test cut and decide for yourself.
Don’t rely on information that can be easily refuted with a few emails or a test cut.
I heard you need specialist equipment to cut the grooves into your pressed blanks - is that true?
We were able to move from the old generation of ’sheets of plastic cut into circles’ to the pressed blanks without investing in any new equipment.
However, we did need to have the necessary expertise and understanding of our equipment, and the fundamentals of disc mastering, to perfect the workflow. How to control groove width, and why. How to calculate groove depth, and why. How to identify a high-quality diamond for cutting and to accurately align it, and why. Understanding the mechanics of the cutting process, such as the behaviour of the dashpot and why it has a significant role in making quality cuts. We could go on …
But no, we did not require anything that every professional that operates in our industry doesn’t already posses.
What about the environmental impact of your pressed blanks?
The pressed blanks use 100% safe colour pigments, and are 100% recyclable containing no PVC or PETG additives.
The pressing production process produces no harmful dust or fumes and is therefore safe for the operators. It is a closed-loop no waste manufacturing process.
The production facility itself is based in France and is fully powered by solar energy.
Why don’t you use PETG for your blanks?
3 words. Black Carbon Pigment. See previous question about environmental impact.
Black Carbon Pigment cannot be recycled and is an environmental hazard. There is no PETG supplier that is spending the vast amounts of money to have a specialist company remove this responsibly.
We don’t want to be using PETG for cutting grooves for 2 reasons:
– health; we do not want to be exposed to the particles released by cutting the material with a diamond. See here where even in the cooling phase exposure “should not cause any harm to human health within consumer use, if the exposure is short term and occasional.” Emphasis added – we are cutting on average 10 hours per day Mon-Fri … that is not ‘short term or occasional’.
– we use a diamond styli to cut the grooves. A diamond is a carbon atom and you’d be cutting into a carbon material – the best way to wear a diamond out quickly! No thanks!
Can you tell me more about the diamond styli you use?
The diamond styli used for cutting is the most critical component to the whole process of cutting grooves. It doesn’t matter what equipment you have, or how well you know it, if your diamond doesn’t have a quality polish and perfect geometry, you will see it in the precision of the groove and hear it in the sound.
Our diamond styli are supplied by My Shank and shaped in the same workshop, using the same equipment, used to create sapphire styli for disc mastering engineers who are cutting to lacquer/DMM. The significance of this cannot be more clearly emphasised; in that area every millimetre of your groove is going to be inspected by several people along the way. Any problems and the disc MEs reputation will be ruined, and therefore the business responsible for the styli too.
Trained by one of the most revered diamond cutters in Europe (possibly the world) and headhunted by the most prestigious luxury watch brand in the world. This is who is creating our diamond styli so we are confident that they are the best on the market by a significant margin.
Where does this leave the quality of a BF! lathe cut?
All things considered, our lathe cuts compare very well against the vast majority of pressed records. Clear, loud and clean with full bass.
How long will they last?
They are as durable as pressed vinyl. Handle them with the same care as you would pressed vinyl and they will last indefinitely. However, do not use any vinyl cleaning solutions as they will cause damage. Only use a slightly damp lint free 100% microfibre cloth for cleaning or discharging any static.
Do you have a minimum or maximum order?
There is no minimum order.
Maximum; we have cut 200 copies for Electric Wizard and regularly cut 100 copies for Current 93. For orders over 50 copies we ask that you get in touch.
How many minutes of music can I get on your lathe cuts?
Guidelines for running times are listed→ here. If you want to go over these limits, please get in touch so that we can discuss any potential issues with you.
What is included with the listed price?
Each order comes with a standard white poly-lined paper inner sleeve, as well as white adhesive centre labels (unattached, 6 labels per sheet).
Do you do anything to the audio before cutting?
Only if it is needed to get a clean and accurate cut. In all other instances we will prepare your audio using minor tweaks so that it translates as closely as possible to the original. This is not mastering. Anything that requires significant changes will be sent back to you with details of the issue.
ARTWORK
How do I print my sleeves?
Sleeves must to be designed using the template supplied and submitted as a print ready PDF. Sleeves are printed on 300gsm board. You can choose either standard (coated side) or reverse board (uncoated side).
Templates for digitally printed sleeves.
12″ album record sleeve (3mm spine)
12″ single record sleeve / inner bag
12″ album record sleeve (5mm spine)
10″ album record sleeve (3mm spine)
How do I print my centre labels?
OPTION 1:
Centre labels are professionally (digitally) printed on Graphic Vellum Permanent Split Back (self adhesive, uncoated material, 70gsm). Centre labels must to be designed using the template supplied and submitted as a print ready PDF (PDF/X-1a:2001). We will only accept files based on our templates. Minimum order of 6 pairs.
centre label (100mm) – side a + b
centre label (85mm) – side a + b
Get in contact for Illustrator or Photoshop files.
OPTION 2:
Centre labels are printed using a desktop printer. We will only accept files based on our templates. Please don’t submit labels using the 6 x sheet template (OPTION 3).
centre label (100mm) – side a + b
centre label (85mm) – side a + b
Get in contact for Illustrator or Photoshop files.
OPTION 3:
Print your own centre labels using a desktop printer. Download 6 x sheet template. Set your paper size to A4 (210 x 297mm) and don’t “scale to fit”.
What is a print ready PDF?
High resolution (300dpi), 3mm bleed, supplied in single page format and saved in CMYK (not RGB) with all fonts embedded or outlined. Please submit your artwork in PDF format: PDF/X-1a is an excellent ISO Standard for graphic file exchange.
How do I submit a design for engraved centre labels?
Engraved centre labels must to be designed using the template supplied. Our CNC router works with vectors – no bitmaps please! Submit the file as an .AI (Adobe Illustrator) or PDF.
COPYRIGHT
Please ensure that the copyright in the materials you supply is vested in you and that the supply of Goods or Services shall not give rise to any breach of copyright or other intellectual property right. If you are a label; acceptance of our invoice is to confirm that, where necessary, you have all relevant licenses in place.