How to Sell Physical Albums (Vinyl, CDs, Cassettes) as an Independent Artist

Streaming may dominate today’s music industry, but physical albums are far from dead. In fact, vinyl sales have grown year after year, and many fans still love collecting CDs and even cassettes. Physical formats give listeners something tangible to hold, and for artists, they’re an incredible way to generate revenue, deepen fan loyalty, and stand out in a digital-first world.

The good news? You don’t need a major label to sell physical albums. With the right approach, independent artists can press vinyl, CDs, or cassettes and sell them directly to fans around the globe.

Here’s how to do it step by step.

🎶 Step 1: Choose the Right Format

Different formats appeal to different fans, so it’s worth considering your audience before pressing thousands of copies.

• Vinyl: A collector’s item, often preferred by superfans and audiophiles. Higher production cost, but higher resale value.
• CDs: Affordable, portable, and still popular among certain demographics and regions. Great for live shows and physical distribution.
• Cassettes: A niche throwback format, often used for limited runs and special editions.

👉 Many artists release their music across multiple formats, tailoring quantities to what they know their fans will actually buy.

💿 Step 2: Find a Reliable Manufacturer

Physical albums require a manufacturing partner. Some trusted options include:

• Vinyl pressing plants: Furnace, GZ Vinyl, MPO.
• CD & cassette duplicators: Disc Makers, Kunaki, Band CDs.
• Merch fulfillment companies: Some also handle production and shipping.

Tips:

• Order test pressings or samples before committing to large runs.
• Factor in turnaround time — vinyl, in particular, can take 3–6 months to press.
• Consider eco-friendly options if that resonates with your audience.

🛒 Step 3: Set Up Sales Channels

Once your albums are ready, you need to decide where and how to sell them.

• Your website (Shopify, Squarespace, Wix): Ideal for direct-to-fan sales where you keep most of the revenue.
• Bandcamp: A favorite for indie artists, offering both digital and physical sales in one place.
• Merch tables at shows: Still one of the best ways to sell physical albums — fans love taking home a signed copy.
• Retail partnerships: Local record stores often carry indie releases, especially vinyl.

Pro tip: Bundle physical albums with merch (t-shirts, posters, stickers) to increase sales and average order value.

📣 Step 4: Promote Your Physical Releases

Selling physical albums isn’t just about having them available — it’s about making fans excited to buy.

• Announce pre-orders: Build anticipation before release day.
• Offer exclusives: Limited edition vinyl colors, signed CDs, or numbered cassettes.
• Leverage mailing lists: Email and SMS are the best ways to alert superfans about new merch drops.
• Use social proof: Share photos of fans with your albums on socials.

Platforms like Sonikit make it easy to set up **landing pages and SMS campaigns**, so you can drive fans directly to your physical merch store.

📦 Step 5: Handle Fulfillment & Shipping

Logistics are often overlooked but can make or break your physical sales strategy.

• DIY shipping: Manage inventory and shipping yourself using USPS, UPS, or local carriers.
• Fulfillment services: Outsource to companies like ShipStation, Printful, or Amplifier to handle orders for you.
• Bandcamp fulfillment: Bandcamp offers built-in merch fulfillment services for artists.

Make sure to clearly list shipping costs, expected delivery times, and return policies on your store.

⚖️ Pricing & Profit Margins

Physical albums cost money to produce, but they can be highly profitable when priced right.

• Vinyl: Costs $10–20 to produce; sells for $25–40.
• CDs: Costs $1–2 each; sells for $10–15.
• Cassettes: Costs $2–3 each; sells for $8–12.

Bundle deals (e.g., vinyl + shirt, CD + poster) can increase profits while giving fans more value.

🚀 Turning Physical Sales Into Fan Relationships

Selling physical albums isn’t just about making money, it’s about creating lasting connections with your audience. Every physical purchase is a sign of deeper commitment from a fan.

Make the most of it by:

• Including handwritten notes or thank-you cards.
• Adding download codes for bonus tracks.
• Capturing fan emails or SMS during checkout to stay in touch for future releases.

Platforms like Sonikit help you take that extra step, turning one-time buyers into lifelong supporters with segmented campaigns, pre-save tools, and fan analytics.

Selling physical albums as an independent artist takes planning, but it’s worth the effort. Fans love having something tangible, and physical formats can significantly boost your income.

By choosing the right formats, setting up reliable sales channels, promoting your merch effectively, and managing fulfillment smoothly, you can create memorable experiences that go beyond streaming.

Physical music is more than a product. It’s a chance to connect. And in today’s digital world, that’s more valuable than ever.