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So maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but I'm of the opinion that we need no frills when it comes to packaging. Sleeves should be plain and contain only essential info, like perhaps the website for the label(will we need a new domain for the label? They are very cheap nowadays and one of the best forms of advertising.)

artist info, name of label, name of track... all of this would be in a plain bold font... kinda like dmz, etc... label on the record itself would be just a plain tan, plain white, plain red, plain blue for varying releases with no logo, bold font?

This could be an area that sets our label apart from the others though, if we come up with clever packaging, get some of the artists around us to properly create a piece of real art for the package... either is fine by me, I have a preference for a great all around package. as we say we're not for profit, it would be great to have some memorable packaging that really puts us over the top. of course, it would also be great to have some memorable.

it might be a little bit early to discuss this, but it will come down to cost of production, and also ideology of how we want to present ourselves.

my opinion is that, as someone already said, since we're not for profit--we should get the thickest and best vinyl we can, with the best packaging we can... I know I've bought extra copies of records with really cool art on them just to hang in my studio...

all I'm really saying, is that in the end we are making these records for ourselves... we have a LOT of people HERE who will be purchasing this record when it comes out, we represent a good chunk of dubstep listeners and DJ's, so here is a good spot to find out how well this will really go down. we have a great outlet for this project in this forum.

nuff blathering. get on that poll.

this label's becomin very democratic

It's the only way, when you have 30 people investing time and money.

If not, we definately need some stickers, CD's, whatever to promote our label. We could stock the local(local to whomever requests them) shops with them and maybe hand out the stickers with copies of the records, or something...

my opinion is that to begin with, a good way forward is...

no frills... plain white labels, plain white sleeves, cut an old school ink stamp with

a. artist - track
b. artist - track (if theyre different artists on the different sides)

for the centre label

and same + label name and website on the standard card white sleeve. Style in simplicity, rugged feel, and cheap as you like. Similar to how they did the Misty Winter TPs

To do things properly requires a very very tight job on design, no messing around, nothing standard / obviously derivative. Basically a very tall order, possibly expensive, and requiring time and thought to get it right. Definately to be considered further down the line, but my feeling tells me to keep it simple to start. And to be fair the soul jazz tps look the business if you ask me, i love the rawness

deffo no frills, at least for the first few

as the guy before said, original artwork would have to be really good - can't cut any corners in this respect.

We do have a lot of visual artists here, though... keep that in mind. A lot of people involved in graphic design.

imho there are two ways that this could come about... either a) plain and simple is stuck with to the core

or b) "frills" is stuck with to the core

i don't really see a middle ground, simply becuase i'm more like the type to want to do soething 100% than do it 50% and pass it off as 100%

if a clean look is wanted and a designer is willing, a really nice template could be designed, perhaps a design OF a stamp, but have it really nicely done - sort of blending the whole design element with the "keep it simple stupid" (KISS) concept

also, from a marketing standpoint - if it was something simple like a design based around a graphic or a stamp, that oculd easily extend to all branding and make the label and any nights/artists/etc affiliated seem a lot more like on cohesive unit, rather than a loose collective of sorts.

i say no frills

I think we need at LEAST a logo

If nothing more, than so I can include it as an avatar/signature on every website which I post, so people can see the name and logo out there... it's nice to have people asking when the next track is coming out, I think--or when the FIRST track... something to get excited about.

Well, maybe this should wait until after a name has been decided. I think the final name will definitely dictate a lot about how the design should be.

I agree. lets get on that

if there are people on here who are willing to do a design for a small amount.... or say a free copy... Then why not have a sweet design? Even if it is somewhat minimal?

it isnt hard to make things look nice on the minimal tip....

Couldn't this be an issue solved at the time of each individual release? Although it would be nice to have consistency throughout releases, ultimately what's being put out is a representation of the artists' work, so shouldn't they have some input into the aesthetic issues that effect the release of their music. If this issue was decided at the time for each issue instead of a solution prescribed beforehand then surely there's more chance of satisfying both the person who wrote the tunes and those who are involved in the label?

I've never heard of many labels giving that kind of control in the instance of a promotional white label... it's pretty much a white label, black lettering.

MacPhellimey wrote:Couldn't this be an issue solved at the time of each individual release? Although it would be nice to have consistency throughout releases, ultimately what's being put out is a representation of the artists' work, so shouldn't they have some input into the aesthetic issues that effect the release of their music. If this issue was decided at the time for each issue instead of a solution prescribed beforehand then surely there's more chance of satisfying both the person who wrote the tunes and those who are involved in the label?

you dont need fancy artwork to sell records it just adds to the cost i would give a toss if my tunes were released on a white label with sticker on. however if represses are required then maybe some artwork for that.

I wasn't saying that you needed fancy artwork to sell records, just that some of the people who'd tunes the label'd be pressing might want some artwork, so it seems strange to tell them that they can't for such an arbitrary reason as consistency.

I wonder if Luke Envoy asked Hotflush to change their packaging to suit his tastes

im sure they might want some artwork but we aint talking about a label with a big budget here