#labelspotlight

SOLID MFG. is excited to introduce a new regular feature on our blog: the Record Label Spotlight. These monthly features will allow us to highlight a select group of our devoted and wonderful clients and to show an inside look at their vinyl projects.

In our first installment, we’re going to take a look at Bloomington, Indiana’s Let’s Pretend Records. LPR released their first record in 2006, racking up over 150 releases since then. Solid has been excited to play a part in many of them, including Vacation “The Do Shit Wax” 10″, Nervosas s/t 2xLP, and Erin Tobey’s “Middlemaze” LP.

I’ve personally been a fan of Let’s Pretend for so long that it’s truly a pleasure to have a hand in how these releases come out. LPR have been working with us ever since Solid opened our electronic doors in 2012, with us first working together on print packaging, SOLID’s initial focus. In owner Pete’s words, “We started using SOLID years ago for all vinyl packaging. The quality was always great and in our hands in a reasonable amount of time.”  SOLID is happy to have produced vinyl packages for two recent LPR 12” releases: the Future Virgins “Dirty Smiles” LP, and the Swim Team s/t LP.

The Future Virgins record includes all of the great songs from their three 7”s and comp appearance and handily eliminates nearly the need to get up and flip all those different records multiple times. The Swim Team LP was originally released by Infinity Cat on cassette last year, but LPR is now giving the album’s great fuzz-pop tones a wider release. Pete says “We were blown away with how quickly the test pressing arrived and how quick we had the fully-assembled-product in hand. We tell you what.. these records looked and felt fucking beautiful.”  Of course, part of that is the thought and care that went into the packaging and colors.

<a href="http://letspretendrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/future-virgins-dirty-smiles-7-anthology-lp">Future Virgins 'Dirty Smiles 7" Anthology' LP by Let's Pretend Records</a>

<a href="http://letspretendrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/swim-team-s-t-lp">Swim Team 'S/T' LP by Let's Pretend Records</a>

As can be expected from all LPR releases, both packages look great. The Future Virgins LP is pressed on a limited-to-200-units opaque yellow vinyl colorway, continuing a visual theme begun on the records cover, as well as 300 units of standard black vinyl. The record has a full-color outer jacket printed on 300gsm white carton standard boardstock with a B/W printed insert on 140gsm uncoated offset paper included inside. The aesthetic is in keeping with the Future Virgin EPs collected within; as with the original 7”s, the lyrics are printed on the front of the jacket with the band name laid out diagonally, making for some great continuity between releases.

The Swim Team LP is also pressed in two colorways; the limited color is made up of 200 units pressed on a cloudy-clear base with a gorgeous baby pink splatter that, like the Future Virgins record, allows for visual continuity through the packaging. There is also a 300-unit black colorway. The jackets are printed full color on heavy-weight 350gsm white carton board stock, with the vinyl encased in inner black dust sleeves, and accompanied by inserts printed on uncoated offset paper stock.

According to Peter of LPR, what he likes most about using Solid for vinyl is: “how easy it is to navigate the order form and how openly they communicate throughout the process. You never have to wait long to get an enthusiastic and detailed response. This is really important to us and we really value this part of working with them; it makes doing business easier and less stressful.”