Vinyl Cover Artwork

Vinyl cover artwork is a vital part of your album release. Below, you’ll find design templates for vinyl covers, center labels, inner sleeves, and more. We’ve also included tips on file preparation, paper types, and special finishes like embossing and spot UV. Follow these guidelines to ensure your design is print-ready and make your vinyl project truly stand out.

Vinyl Cover Design Checklist

Vinyl cover artwork requires careful preparation to ensure flawless printing. Below is a checklist to guide you through every step, from file format to finishing touches. Follow these tips to make your design print-ready and professional.

File Format

  • Export in PDF/X-1a format for offset printing.
  • Ensure vector graphics (e.g., logos, text) are properly prepared in AI, EPS, or PDF formats.
  • Special finishes must be vector objects.
  • All raster images must be at least 300 DPI.

Color Settings

  • Convert all colors to CMYK format.
  • Attach the appropriate color profile (e.g. Fogra39, ISO Coated v2)

Bleeds and Safe Margins

  • Use a 3-5mm bleed on all sides.
  • Keep all text and critical elements within a 5mm safe margin inside the trim line.

Fonts

  • Convert all text to outlines to avoid font issues.
  • Embed all fonts in the PDF file.

Lines and Font Sizes

Line Thickness

  • Minimum 0.15 mm for positive printing.
  • Minimum 0.25 mm for negative printing.
  • Minimum 0.35 mm for hot foil and embossing.

Font size

  • Minimum 5pt for positive printing.
  • Minimum 7pt for negative printing.

Images

  • Ensure all images are 300 DPI and in CMYK mode.
  • Avoid low-quality or overly compressed images (e.g. JPEG compression).

Layers

  • Flatten unnecessary layers to prevent printing errors.
  • Separate layers for special finishes (e.g., foil, embossing) and label them clearly.

Colors

  • Adjust black text and lines to overprint when placed on CMYK backgrounds.
  • Do not use overprint with metallic or daylight colors.
  • Maintain total ink coverage below 280%.
  • For deep blacks, use 100% black + 50% cyan.
  • For white fonts on deep black (1C), use only black + 50% cyan.

Final Check

  • Ensure no unused or hidden elements in the file.
  • Double-check spelling, grammar, and layout alignment.
  • Compress the final file without losing quality for transfer.

Tips For Better Design

Creating a standout vinyl record sleeve requires attention to detail and smart design choices. Below, you’ll find practical tips to refine your cover artwork, enhance its visual impact, and ensure it meets professional printing standards.

Special Effects and Finishes

When incorporating special effects like embossing, foil, or varnish, be sure to clearly indicate spot colors in your design. Use a consistent naming convention, such as “Spot_Varnish” or “Foil_Gold,” to ensure clarity. For dielines, such as those used in custom-cut jackets, include them in a separate layer or file and label them clearly.

Transparency

Transparencies can cause unexpected effects in the final print, so make sure to flatten all transparencies in your design files.

Alignment and Margins

Always double-check the alignment of design elements, especially for double-sided designs like vinyl covers. Logos, text, and other critical elements should remain within the safe margin, accounting for any folding or trimming during production.

Color Consistency

Maintaining color consistency is key when working across multiple files, such as covers and inserts. Use the same color swatches throughout to ensure a cohesive look.

Inside-Out Printing

For inside-out printing, consider the unique properties of the cardboard. Avoid intricate patterns or very fine text on uncoated sides, as these surfaces absorb more ink and can dull vibrant colors. Lighter tones or pastels tend to work best here. On the coated outer side, special finishes like embossing, foil, and spot UV can add an elegant touch when used sparingly.

Rich Blacks

When working with rich blacks, adjust accordingly to the printing surface. On coated surfaces, use a combination of 100% black and 50% cyan to achieve deep blacks. For uncoated areas, stick with 100% black to prevent excess ink absorption and maintain clarity.

Backup and Versions

Always save editable source files and keep a version history to accommodate last-minute changes or revisions.

Printing Effects For Vinyl Covers

Enhance the appeal of your vinyl record covers with special printing effects that add texture, depth, and a premium finish. These effects not only elevate the visual impact of your design but also create a tactile experience, making your record sleeves stand out as collectible items. Here’s a closer look at the most popular options.

Spot UV

Highlight specific elements of your design, such as logos, text, or patterns, with a glossy, raised finish. Spot UV creates a striking contrast when applied over matte backgrounds, drawing attention to key details

UV Varnish

Apply an all-over glossy finish that enhances the vibrancy of your design while offering additional protection against wear and tear. UV varnish is perfect for creating sleek, polished covers.

Embossing

Add dimension by raising parts of the design, such as logos or patterns, above the surface. This creates a tactile 3D effect that adds a premium feel to your packaging.

Debossing

For a more subtle and elegant touch, debossing presses parts of the design into the surface, creating an engraved-like appearance. This technique works beautifully for minimalist or sophisticated designs.

Cardboard Selection

Choosing the right cardboard is essential for achieving the desired look and feel for your vinyl record sleeves. The type of cardboard you select impacts the visual appeal and overall quality of your design. Below, we highlight options to help you choose the perfect material for your vinyl project.

Chromo GC1 (300-350 gsm)

Chromo GC1 is an excellent choice for creating vinyl cover artwork with high resolution, vibrant colors and sharp details. Its smooth coated surface ensures precise printing, making it ideal for intricate designs on record covers. It supports special finishes like glossy, UV coatings, foil stamping, and embossing.

The uncoated side supports reverse printing and provides a unique matte finish that works well with  pastel colors for more vintage feel. This versatile cardboard is strong, durable and is ideal for vinyl covers that demand both quality and sustainability.

Alaska (350 gsm)

For deluxe vinyl releases, we recommend Alaska cardboard with its fully coated surface on both sides. It delivers unmatched quality and consistency for vibrant, high-resolution printing. This double-coated finish is perfect for detailed designs on the outer cover as well as on the inside.

Alaska stands out for its luxurious feel, making it the top choice for high-value collectible vinyl releases. It supports a wide range of finishes, including matte, glossy, UV coating, foil stamping, adding an extra layer of sophistication to your vinyl cover. Alaska is renowned for its durability, ensuring your vinyl records are protected for a long run.

Recycled GD2 (320 gsm)

GD2 cardboard is made from recycled fibers with a white-coated surface on one side and best suited for simple yet bold full color designs. Its cost-effectiveness makes it a practical option for eco-friendly vinyl record sleeves. GD2 is slightly less rigid yet still provides basic protective packaging, that is 100% eco friendly and sustainable.

Vinyl Design Templates

Our vinyl design templates provide everything you need to create professional cover artwork. The collection includes templates for 12-inch, 10-inch, and 7-inch center labels and vinyl covers. As well as templates for gatefolds, trifolds, discobags and inner sleeves. It will streamline your workflow, ensuring the artwork is perfectly aligned and print-ready.

Vinyl | Center Labels

  • 12″ | Label | 100 mm
Download
  • 10″ | Label | 100 mm
Download
  • 7″ | Label | 92 mm
Download

Vinyl | Gatefold Sleeve

  • 12″ | Gatefold Sleeve | 7 mm spine
Download
  • 10″ | Gatefold Sleeve | 5 mm spine
Download
  • 7″ | Gatefold Sleeve | 5 mm spine
Download

Vinyl | Inner Sleeves

  • 12″ | Inner Sleeve/Discobag
Download
  • 10″ | Inner Sleeve/Discobag
Download
  • 7″ | Inner Sleeve / Discobag
Download
Pay attention! The opening of these templates is standard on the right side, if you want it at the top, adjust your design accordingly.

Vinyl | Outer Sleeves

  • 12″ | Outer Sleeve | for 1 Record | 3 mm Spine
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  • 12″ | Outer Sleeve | for 2 Records | 4 mm Spine
Download
  • 12″ | Outer Sleeve | for 3 Records | 7 mm Spine
Download
  • 10″ | Outer Sleeve | for 1 Record | 3 mm Spine
Download
  • 7″ | Outer Sleeve | for 1 Record Download
Download
  • 7″ | Outer Sleeve | for 2 Records | 3 mm Spine
Download

Vinyl | Inserts

  • 12″ | Insert | 300 x 300 mm
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  • 12″ | Insert | 600 x 300 mm
Download
  • 10″ | Insert | 250 x 250 mm
Download
  • 10″ | Insert | 500 x 250 mm
Download
  • 7″ | Insert | 175 x 175 mm
Download
  • 7″ | Insert | 350 x 175 mm
Download

Vinyl | Tip-On Sleeves

  • 12″ | Tip-On Sleeve
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  • 2″ | Tip-On Gatefold | 
9 mm spine
Download
Center holes in your Sleeves are optional, if you do not want holes then you can leave them out of your design.
Standard they are 100 mm for 12″ Sleeves and 85 mm for 7″ Sleeves, 92 mm holes are also possible.

Vinyl | Trifold Sleeve

  • 2″ | Trifold Sleeve
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Vinyl | Etched Record

  • 12″ | Etched Vinyl Template
Download
Greenlakes Vinyl Mock-Up.
Use royalty free for the promotion of your Record.

OBI strips

  • 12″ | Vinyl OBI Strip | Banderole
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  • 12″ | Vinyl OBI Strip | Fold Over
Download

Vinyl | Mock-Up

  • 12″ | Vinyl Mock Up
Download

Greenlakes Eco-Friendly Vinyl Logo

  • Eco-Friendly Vinyl logo
Download
Download our Eco-Friendly Vinyl logo to add it to your artwork. This way you can show buyers that the record was pressed at the Greenest Vinyl Pressing Plant in the world.

Download Cards

  • The size of the backside of the double-sided Download Cards is 80 x 55 mm (+ 5 mm extra bleed on all sides).

Stickers

  • Use the size you ordered plus 3 mm extra bleed on all sides.

Stamps

  • Use the exact size you ordered, no extra bleed needed.