Why Custom Vinyl Records Can’t Be Made: How Music Rights and Record Labels Actually Work
At Vinyl.ae, one of the most common questions we receive from music lovers in the UAE is:
“Can you create a custom vinyl record with my favourite songs or a personal playlist?”
It’s a beautiful idea – a personalised record, a curated playlist on wax, or a one-of-a-kind gift. But there’s an essential truth:
Custom vinyl records containing copyrighted songs cannot be produced legally because of strict music rights, record label policies, and international copyright laws.
This article explains how vinyl pressing works, why music labels restrict custom vinyl manufacturing, and what rights exist behind every song. It is written for collectors who want to buy vinyl online in the UAE and understand the reality behind custom vinyl pressing and record label licensing.
1. Vinyl Pressing Isn’t Like Printing Merchandise
Pressing a vinyl record is not the same as printing a T-shirt or a mug. Every track you hear on an LP is protected by multiple copyright layers. To create even one vinyl record with copyrighted songs, you must obtain permission from:
- The Record Label – usually owns the master recording
- The Music Publisher – usually controls the songwriting and lyrics
- The Artist or Rights Holder – depending on their contracts
Without approval from all rights holders, custom vinyl production is considered an illegal mechanical reproduction under copyright law.
For a global overview of how record labels control master recordings, see IFPI – International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
2. The Two Rights Behind Every Song (Master & Publishing)
Every song that ends up on a vinyl record carries at least two major sets of rights. Understanding these helps explain why custom vinyl records aren’t allowed.
a) Master Recording Rights
The master recording is the actual audio you hear on a vinyl record, CD, or stream. These rights are usually owned by a record label (major or independent) or, in some cases, the artist.
To manufacture a vinyl record legally, you need a master use licence from the rights holder. This licence lets a company reproduce and distribute that specific recording.
More on how the recorded side of music is controlled can be found via IFPI’s overview of the recording industry.
b) Publishing / Songwriting Rights
Separate from the recording, there are publishing rights. These belong to composers, lyricists, or their publishing companies and control the underlying musical work and lyrics.
Even if someone somehow had permission to use the master recording, they would still need a publishing licence to legally reproduce the song on a vinyl record.
You can read more about publishing rights from organisations such as ASCAP and BMI, which manage performance and licensing for songwriters and publishers.
Both master and publishing licences must be cleared. If either one is missing, the vinyl cannot be legally pressed – even for “just one copy” or personal use.
3. Why Record Labels Don’t Allow One-Off Custom Vinyl Pressings
From the perspective of a record label, a custom vinyl isn’t a personal gift – it is the creation of a new physical product that uses copyrighted content.
To produce vinyl records commercially, labels and partners usually work under agreements that involve:
- Minimum pressing quantities (often 300–500+ units for a vinyl run)
- Licensing fees per track or per unit manufactured
- Approved artwork, tracklists and territories
- Royalty calculations for artists, producers and publishers
This system is optimised for official releases – not individual, one-off custom vinyls.
For a simple explanation of how licensing fits into the commercial music system, see RIAA – Music Licensing & Mechanical Reproduction.
4. “But It’s Only for Me” – Why Personal Use Still Isn’t Allowed
One of the most common assumptions is:
“If the record is just for me or as a gift and not for sale, it should be okay, right?”
Unfortunately, no. Under copyright law, pressing a vinyl record counts as mechanical reproduction – the act of creating a new physical copy of copyrighted material.
This is treated the same way whether you:
- Sell the record
- Give it as a gift
- Keep it only in your personal collection
By contrast:
- Streaming music on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music uses licences obtained by those platforms for playback only.
- Buying official vinyl records means the label has already handled all the required licences and manufacturing.
A basic summary of how copyright treats reproduction can be found via WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization.
5. What About Websites Offering “Custom Playlist Vinyls”?
You may have seen international websites or ads claiming to offer “your Spotify playlist on vinyl” or “custom mixtape records”. Many of these services actually avoid copyrighted commercial music and instead use:
- Voice recordings (messages, speeches, podcasts)
- Royalty-free or library music
- Public domain content
- Music from independent artists who have directly authorised the pressing
Any service publicly offering to press major label songs or famous tracks onto custom records without clearly showing a licensing framework is likely operating outside copyright law.
International agreements like the WIPO Copyright Treaty exist specifically to combat unauthorised reproduction and distribution of copyrighted works.
As a responsible retailer, Vinyl.ae follows UAE regulations and global industry standards. We do not offer custom vinyl pressing of copyrighted songs.
6. When Custom Vinyl Pressing Is Legal
There are situations where custom or small-run vinyl pressing is legal – but they are very specific:
- The artist or client owns both the master and publishing rights to the music.
- The music is in the public domain in the relevant territory.
- The content is original, such as your own band, a podcast, spoken word, or commissioned audio.
Independent musicians often press their own records because they control their own rights, or work directly with a label and publisher who grant them permissions.
If you want to dive deeper into how mechanical rights are managed, agencies like the Harry Fox Agency explain how mechanical licensing works in practice.
7. What Vinyl.ae Can Help You With Instead
While we cannot create custom vinyl of your favourite songs, we can still help you enjoy the music you love on high-quality, official records.
At Vinyl.ae, you can:
- Buy official vinyl records online in the UAE from global labels and distributors
- Discover new sealed vinyl releases, reissues and classic albums
- Find limited editions, box sets and audiophile pressings
- Add gift packaging and personalised notes to your order
- Ask us to help track down hard-to-find titles through our supplier network
If an album exists legally on vinyl, our goal is to help bring it to your turntable in the UAE.
8. Supporting Artists the Right Way
Buying officially licensed vinyl records doesn’t just grow your collection – it actively supports the people who create the music.
When you purchase legitimate vinyl:
- Artists and songwriters receive royalties
- Record labels and publishers can invest in new recordings
- Pressing plants and distributors keep physical formats alive
- You get authentic, high-quality pressings designed to last
For more about how royalties flow through the industry, IFPI explains the process here: How music royalties work.
Unofficial or unlicensed custom vinyl may seem appealing in the short term, but it undermines the ecosystem that makes the music – and the vinyl format – possible.
Final Thoughts
We absolutely understand why so many customers ask for custom vinyl records – it shows how deeply music is tied to personal memories and milestones. However, because of music rights, record label licensing, and international copyright law, pressing custom vinyl records of copyrighted songs is not legally possible.
What we can do is help you build an incredible, legal collection of vinyl records in the UAE – from classics to new releases, special editions, and collector’s items.
If you are looking for a particular album, pressing, or recommendation, the Vinyl.ae team is always happy to help you explore the world of vinyl the right way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Vinyl.ae create a custom vinyl record with my favourite songs?
No. Custom vinyl pressings that include copyrighted songs cannot be legally produced without licences from the record label, music publisher, and in some cases the artist. These rights are tightly controlled and not granted for one-off personal records.
Why do record labels restrict custom vinyl pressing?
Record labels own or control the master recordings and are responsible for how they are reproduced and distributed. Pressing even a single vinyl record is treated as manufacturing a new product, which requires licensing, contracts and royalty reporting. The system is built for commercial runs, not individual custom projects.
What is the difference between master rights and publishing rights?
Master rights cover the actual sound recording you hear. Publishing rights cover the songwriting and lyrics. Pressing vinyl legally requires licences for both. Without them, the record would be an unauthorised reproduction.
Does personal use or gifting make custom vinyl legal?
No. Copyright law focuses on the act of reproduction, not whether the copy is sold. Pressing a vinyl record creates a new mechanical copy, which always requires proper licensing – even if it is just for yourself or a friend.
Why do some websites claim to offer custom playlist vinyls?
Most legitimate services only press non-copyrighted content such as voice messages, royalty-free music, or public domain audio. Any service offering famous commercial songs on custom records without a clear licensing explanation is likely infringing copyright.
When is custom vinyl pressing allowed?
Custom vinyl is allowed when the client or artist owns both the master and publishing rights, or when the music is in the public domain. Independent artists often press their own music because they control the rights and can authorise production.
What can Vinyl.ae help me with instead of custom vinyl?
Vinyl.ae can help you buy official vinyl records in the UAE, including new releases, classic albums, reissues, box sets and audiophile editions. If a title exists legally on vinyl, we aim to source it for you.
Is buying official vinyl better for artists?
Yes. Official vinyl sales ensure that artists, producers, songwriters, labels and publishers are paid fairly through the royalty system. This supports future recordings and keeps the vinyl format alive for collectors worldwide.
