The lacquer is essentially the first "record" we create from the audio you provide.  The lacquer isn't a vinyl record, it's a record made of well...lacquer! Lacquer is a little softer than vinyl and can be cut using something called a lathe.  Lacquer mastering refers to the process of taking your audio files, "mastering" or setting the levels of the audio to ensure the groove spacing and physical groove cutting layout is set correctly. We then transfer your audio onto the physical lacquer.  The lacquer is the first step in the manufacturing process, it is the image used to the metal stampers. The stampers are essentially a negative image of the grooves on this lacquer.  To learn more about the vinyl pressing process, click here