From audio to artwork and metadata, each element needs to meet professional standards to ensure consistency, quality, and discoverability across platforms. By securing all assets ahead of time, you not only avoid last-minute delays but also maximise the impact, professionalism, and reach of every release.
Audio
It’s important to make sure the audio side of things is fully prepared and organised before a release goes live. Taking the time to handle your tracks carefully not only ensures they sound their best, but also makes the release process smoother and protects your work for the future.
Pre-Masters
Always request high-quality pre-mastered tracks. If you need versions for streaming, consider edited versions optimised for platform requirements, such as shorter intros or outros.
Mastering
Having your tracks professionally mastered will make a noticeable difference in quality. If needed, you could work with an experienced mastering engineer or producer to achieve the best results.
Audio Backups
Keeping backups of your master files is highly recommended and using secure cloud storage or external drives can help ensure long-term access. For security reasons, audio can’t be downloaded directly from our system. LabelWorx is built for safely delivering music to stores and streaming platforms, not for long-term file storage.
Track Stems
Organising and labelling your stems clearly (for example, “Kick” or “Lead Vocal”) can make future projects like remixes or sync opportunities easier to manage. Storing backups of these stems is also a good idea.
Artwork / Visuals
Visuals play a big role in how your audience experiences and remembers a release. Planning ahead and being intentional with creative assets can help your release feel cohesive and professional, while also resonating with fans.
Define Your Creative Vision
Developing a clear visual direction for your release can be useful. Discussing this vision with the artist can help maintain consistency and ensure the visuals match the music’s style.
Set Deadlines
Try to have all final assets ready at least a couple of weeks before submission. This buffer can reduce the chance of delays and give you more room to explore promotional opportunities.
Work with a Designer
Working with a dedicated designer who understands and complements your label’s aesthetic can be helpful. Consistency in visual design helps build a recognisable brand identity across all releases.
Prepare Assets in Multiple Formats
It can be useful to have all artwork and promotional assets available in a variety of formats to suit different platforms and promotional needs, such as:
- Square (1:1) → Instagram, Facebook
- Portrait (4:5 or 2:3) → Instagram feed (max vertical space)
- Stories / Reels / TikTok (9:16) → Full-screen vertical video/images.
- Landscape (16:9) → YouTube thumbnails, Twitter/X
Standardise Artwork Specifications
Delivering artwork at a minimum 1400 x 1400 (but 3000 x 3000 is highly recommended) in JPG or PNG formats helps maintain quality across platforms.
Incorporate Branding Elements
Adding your label’s logo or the release’s catalog number to artwork can help build brand recognition.
Create Engaging Visual Content
Visualisers, animations, or other engaging visuals for platforms like YouTube and Spotify Canvas can enhance the listener experience and boost engagement.
Metadata
Metadata helps digital platforms, distributors, and music services properly catalog, display, and manage the music. It also ensures that royalties are accurately tracked and paid to the right people and improves the music’s discoverability by fans and algorithms.
Before releasing, be sure to gather the following metadata:
- Display Artist(s)
- Release Title
- Release Date
- Release Type (Single, EP, or Album)
- Correct Copyright (C) and Phonographic (P) lines
- Track Artist(s)
- Track Title(s)
- Mix Name(s)
- Legal Name(s) of Writer(s)
- Track Genre(s)
- Publisher(s)
- Track Order
- EAN / ISRC codes
Additional Tips
Ensure all metadata is accurate, and keep a backup copy of the metadata for each release, as this may be needed for future reference. Once you have set your release to Final, LabelWorx will assign an EAN and ISRC to the release (unless you provide your own EAN/ISRC codes from a third-party source), we recommend storing these securely within your filing system for easy access later.