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--- TEXT GUIDE TO PRODUCING AND SHIPPING DIY CASSETTES ---

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// Compiled by Kevin (RA) //

// kevinkevinkevin.bandcamp.com //

// TWITTER: @Peachtreat_ //

// DISCORD: imgformat#5880 //

// nomusicfromkevin@gmail.com //

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~ Note: This document focuses on the needs of artists based in the US. If you have any suggestions for international artists, send me a DM or an email!

Supplies:

1) Decide how many tapes are in the run and buy what you think you'll need plus extra for shipping mishaps. Specific supply recs:

- BLANK TAPES: Delta Media

- NORELCO BOXES: National Audio Company

- TAPE LABELS: National Audio Company (CL12 Cassette Laser Labels)

- SHIPPING BOXES: ULINE (5x3x2 Literature Mailers)

- - - Don't forget to save some packing paper for shipping your tapes!

- J-CARD PAPER: Use your best judgment, thicker matte/glossy paper is best

Recording equipment:

2a) Your mileage may vary. I recommend getting a real deck. In an ideal world we would all be able to have dual Nakamichi decks but money is not infinite. I got my Denon DR-M10 (single-deck) from a local pawn shop for $40 and hoped for the best. It's treated me pretty well, despite having the occasional electrical failure (it's old).

2b) My audio chain is pretty simple:

- CPU 3.5 mm jack

- male 3.5mm to male RCA cable (RadioShack brand- works very well, but I don't think it's available anymore. Do some research into cables and get something reasonably long with low noise content!)

- cable > deck RCA in jacks

Recording your tapes:

3a) Bounce your audio tracks/set to as few wav files as possible before recording. You may want to add some unique transitions/flair between tracks to make the experience continuous. Be mindful of the gaps between tracks and make sure everything flows well. Be mindful of what tracks go on which side, if that's applicable.

3b) Record directly from your DAW by playing back the final mix as your tape records (ZERO EFFECTS LEFT AT THIS STAGE). Leave a short buffer between the start of the magnetic tape and your first track for safety. **Be sure to mute all system sounds and other applications while recording. Close everything that might make noise as you record your tape. If possible, monitor the process with headphones through the headphone jack of the deck. (If you don't have headphones w/ a 1/4" cable, 1/4" to 3.5mm converter things are cheap).

Printing J-cards

4a) I outsource my J-cards to printing companies. When making a document for the print shop to use, I put multiple J-cards on a page (11x17" if you're in the states or A3 if you're basically anywhere else) and use a vector editing program (Illustrator, Inkscape) to create a document that prints the cards double sided with cutting/folding marks. I can send an example if you're not clear on what I mean. Because printing companies cannot be trusted, *do not put any important text at the edges of your J-card design. Also, design the card so that it has an additional buffer of 1/8" that you cut off later. This ensures that the design will always reach the end of the paper when cut to size.

4b) I print labels in-house. For me, designs with minimal text work best. I have a template for the label sheet from National Audio Company that I use. As with J-cards, don't put any important text near edges.

Tape finishing advice:

5) Be methodical, go through a checklist. Do your label printing all at once, and same for cutting down your J-cards. It's tedious, but that's life.

Product set-up/pricing on bandcamp:

6a) Pricing is really up to you, but here's my recommendations based on being from the US"

- EP (less than 35 mins) $4+ [record full release on BOTH sides of the tape]

- Full length (35-60 mins) $5-7 [record a separate A and B side, unless your track structure absolutely will not accomodate this]

- Long (60+ mins) $7+ [record a separate A and B side, unless your track structure absolutely will not accomodate this]

- Shipping (USA): $3.50-$4 (ship USPS media mail - you have to specifically ask for this!!)

- Shipping (CAN): $9.50 will cover costs (ship USPS 1st class international)

- Shipping (WORLD): $10-$10.50 is a compromise. When shipping you will take a loss on orders to the UK and E. Asia, but US order prices will make up for this as long as you get more of those)

6b) Make sure to take pictures of the product to upload for bandcamp when setting up the merch. State any pertinent info about the physical appearence of the tape in the product description. Also state the deck on which the tape was recorded, and that it comes with a J-card. Also list any goodies or physical-only perks you'll be including with the tape if that's something you're going to do.

Using your funds:

7) Bandcamp payments go through paypal by default. Make an account if you don't have one, preferrably something tied to an email address for your artist handle/label/collective name. Connect a bank account to your paypal so you can have access to funds. Bandcamp take 10% of all sales after shipping costs. Be mindful of this, as it cuts into your profit margin.

Packaging/shipping

8a) I buy shipping boxes from the company ULINE, but many people ship with bubble-mailer envelopes. Do some research on ULINE's website (or on another company, if you're outside the US) on what makes the most sense financially. I use boxes because thre's less chance of damage by crushing. Here's my current shipping procedure:

- build the box (they come unfolded)

- wrap cassette with paper not too tight

- add extra notes/packing list/goodies

- pad box with extra paper as needed to ensure it all stays relatively still

- tape edges shut (I cover all seams for good measure)

- tape shipping label on

8b) Bandcamp takes care of the shipping label stuff for you. You receive orders and they can generate shipping labels that you can just print on a home printer. Postage will be done without stamps when you got to the post office.

Mailing

9) I use USPS for all shipping. As with any shippin service, it is ON YOU to make your packages idiot-proof. Specific service recommendations:

- Domestic (within USA): USPS Media Mail.

- - - USPS does not advertise this service- you have to ask for it specifically. It is cheaper than First Class.

- - - This will cover the cost of your international shipments/pay for some of the labor of having to dub the tapes and go to the post office.

- International (Canada/rest of the world): USPS First Class International

- - - You WILL take a loss on almost all shipments except for Canadian shipments. This is ok, since you are charging more for US shipping.

- - - You will have to fill out customs forms when you get to the post office. There is no way around this, nor is there a way to do this at home.

Customer Satisfaction:

10) If you want people to be happy, here's a few ways:

- make sure all tapes are recorded with good quality

- when you mark orders as shipped in bandcamp, send people their tracking information

- include thank-you notes or small goodies/exclusives/freebies in the package (how far you go is all up to you!)

Make sure you have the funds and time to ship orders in a timely manner no matter how many are ordered and no matter your current financial situation outside your artist project. Some people will forgive your personal life interfering with them getting their stuff, but many will not. Treat these people with respect- they have given you money they could have spent on something else! In the event that you have to respond to customer emails/questions/complaints, do so as quickly and professionally as you can. In my opinion, you should be able to give the customers the illusion that you are not a one-man operation when doing customer service, even if it's you answering all emails.

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