Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association

06/16/2026

New series alert! The Record Business: Episode 1: Why Does a Vinyl Record Cost 40 Bucks w/ VRMA President Dustin Blocker of Hand Drawn Pressing

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/w9aDM8xHDQA?si=fhj4FiBkAe3_wFAl

Why do vinyl records cost $30, $40, or even $50 when the same music is available on streaming services for a fraction of the price?

In this first episode of The Record Business, Dustin Blocker—co-founder of Hand Drawn Records, co-founder of Hand Drawn Pressing, and President of the Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association—breaks down the real costs behind modern vinyl records.

From manufacturing and packaging to freight, warehousing, distribution, retail margins, and inventory risk, we'll follow the money and explore why physical music products cost what they do.

We'll also look at why buying directly from independent artists can make a difference and how the economics of vinyl differ from streaming and digital music.

Whether you're a record collector, musician, record label owner, music fan, or simply curious about how physical products get made, this episode provides an inside look at the business behind the music.

In this episode:
• Why vinyl records seem expensive
• Historical record prices and inflation
• Vinyl manufacturing costs
• Packaging and printing expenses
• Freight and supply chain challenges
• Inventory risk for record labels
• Retail pricing and distribution
• Independent artist direct-to-fan sales

The Record Business is a documentary-style series exploring the world of vinyl records, record labels, manufacturing, collecting, live events, and the economics of physical music.

Subscribe for future episodes covering:
• How a Vinyl Record Is Actually Made
• Why It Takes Months to Press a Record
• The Business of Record Store Day
• How Independent Record Labels Survive
• The Hidden Economics of Music Festivals
• What Makes a Record Valuable?
• Inside the Supply Chain of Vinyl Records
• Why Pressing Plants Get Backlogged
• How Merch Became Bigger Than Music
• The Future of Physical Music

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/

Why do vinyl records cost $30, $40, or even $50 when the same music...

06/03/2026

VRMA President Dustin Blocker moderating Demand Whiplash: Planning Vinyl Releases in a Volatile Market at in Alexandria last week.



Thank you for having us, and thank you for joining us!

05/27/2026

Step Inside Infrasonic Studios Nashville: A Mastering Facility Like No Other: https://youtu.be/rIkxutE0dGY

Infrasonic Sound
Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion

Thank you!!!

Step inside one of Nashville’s most respected recording facilities in this exclusive tour of Infrasonic Studios on the Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion You...

05/27/2026

Unsold vinyl successfully recycled into new high-quality pressings in industry pilot scheme - https://djmag.com/news/unsold-vinyl-successfully-recycled-new-high-quality-pressings-industry-pilot-scheme

DJ Mag
GZ Media
Warner Music Group

Blends of 25% recycled vinyl with 75% new wax received the most consistent audio quality performance rating

05/27/2026

We’re headed to ~ Don’t miss Demand Whiplash: Planning Vinyl Releases in a Volatile Market on Thursday. See you there!

05/20/2026

Catch us at Making Vinyl 2026! We are very excited to tell you more about our VRMA Working Groups (open to all member organizations). These groups are intended to be active, solution-driven forums. Participation is open to anyone within your company; the more voices and perspectives we have, the stronger the outcomes. You can learn more about the VRMA Working Groups at vrmagroup.org

Check out the Making Vinyl schedule at makingvinyl.com, and we'll see you in Alexandria, May 27-29.

05/15/2026

Thank you, Safe & Sound Texas Audio Excursion. Check this out! Visiting Sterling Sound in Nashville with Joe Nino-Hernes (Mastering Engineer):

https://youtu.be/qP5CH9gzBuE

Thank you for joining us in Nashville!

Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Sterling Sound in Nashville, TN, one of the most respected mastering studios in the world, in this must-watch epi...

05/13/2026

Thank you everyone for joining us for Protecting the Groove: Combating Counterfeiting in the Vinyl Market with President Dustin Blocker for and a big thank you for having us!

If you missed it, you can learn more about our efforts at vrmagroup.org

05/08/2026

Don’t miss Protecting the Groove:
Combating Counterfeiting in the Viny! Market with Dustin Blocker, President and Chief Creative Officer at Music Biz 2026 - Trust & Safety Symposium, Tuesday, May 12 (12:45pm, Grand Ballroom). Visit musicbiz.org for the full schedule.

05/04/2026

Let’s hear it for Yoli Mara, Co-Founder at and VRMA Vice President. 👏👏👏

The Vinyl Record Manufacturing Association is a global trade organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the vinyl record manufacturing industry.

Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, VRMA brings together key stakeholders across the supply chain to address challenges, share best practices, and promote sustainable growth.

You can learn more about our Board of Directors and our new initiatives at vrmagroup.org