Hand Drawn Pressing

The Record Business: Episode 1: Why Does a Vinyl Record Cost 40 Bucks

Why do vinyl records cost $30, $40, or even $50 when the same music is available on streaming services for a fraction of the price?

In this first episode of The Record Business, Dustin Blocker—co-founder of Hand Drawn Records, co-founder of Hand Drawn Pressing, and President of the Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association—breaks down the real costs behind modern vinyl records.

From manufacturing and packaging to freight, warehousing, distribution, retail margins, and inventory risk, we'll follow the money and explore why physical music products cost what they do.

We'll also look at why buying directly from independent artists can make a difference and how the economics of vinyl differ from streaming and digital music.

Whether you're a record collector, musician, record label owner, music fan, or simply curious about how physical products get made, this episode provides an inside look at the business behind the music.

In this episode:
• Why vinyl records seem expensive
• Historical record prices and inflation
• Vinyl manufacturing costs
• Packaging and printing expenses
• Freight and supply chain challenges
• Inventory risk for record labels
• Retail pricing and distribution
• Independent artist direct-to-fan sales

The Record Business is a documentary-style series exploring the world of vinyl records, record labels, manufacturing, collecting, live events, and the economics of physical music.

Subscribe for future episodes covering:
• How a Vinyl Record Is Actually Made
• Why It Takes Months to Press a Record
• The Business of Record Store Day
• How Independent Record Labels Survive
• The Hidden Economics of Music Festivals
• What Makes a Record Valuable?
• Inside the Supply Chain of Vinyl Records
• Why Pressing Plants Get Backlogged
• How Merch Became Bigger Than Music
• The Future of Physical Music

Solid Music Biz 2026 in ATL! Big shoutout to the organizers and staff for such a great conference. —>