MISSION

Independent Record Pressing (IRP) serves to sustainably manufacture the highest quality vinyl records with best-in-class customer service while providing fulfilling career paths for our team members.


ABOUT US

Independent Record Pressing (IRP) was founded in 2015 in Bordentown, NJ by Dave Hansen (Exceleration Music) and Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson & Darius Van Arman (Secretly Group) along with Red Light Management.

Founded with the vision to support and press records for independent labels, IRP began with six vintage Hamilton Presses made in the late 70s/early 80s. We have since partnered with Viryltech and currently operate a total of nine new 12” presses, producing 140g-180g records.

IRP has proudly manufactured millions of records, including some of the most important and highly regarded albums in the world.

A small example of artists pressed at IRP include Alabama Shakes, Bad Religion, Big Thief, Bon Iver, Descendents, Elliott Smith, Fela Kuti, Iron Maiden, J Dilla, Mavis Staples, Pharcyde, Phoebe Bridgers, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Ray Charles, The National, Tim McGraw, Tom Waits and many more.

Who We Are

IRP personnel are a passionate and diverse group of artists, musicians, vinyl enthusiasts, manufacturing & supply chain professionals and individuals.

Location

Delivering records in North America, across the world and to your doorsteps, located in Bordentown, New Jersey, IRP is located just over an hour from NYC and 30 minutes from Philadelphia.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

From award winning artists to developing projects to industry newcomers, we treat all of our clients with the same level of dedication, respect and transparency. We start by understanding the details of your project along with your timelines and then tailor our approach to exceed expectations.

In addition to a dedicated customer service rep and day-to-day advocate, IRP provides their customers with online access, providing a status of each step of the production process.

SERVICES

IRP provides flexibility. We can press and assemble albums with components supplied by our customers, or we can handle the entire process from getting lacquers cut to ordering all print components to everything in between. Below is a short list of IRP services:

QUALITY

  • Inspect: Inspecting for scratches, centered labels, warping, non-fill, sway and excessive flash, IRP visually inspects 100% of the records that are pressed as they are made. Rejects are removed with press technicians adjusting process parameters to create superior records.

  • Listen: Utilizing our professional sound booth, we perform hourly checks to assess any level of surface noise, distortion and the like. All inferior pressings are recycled and reground for reuse.

  • Data: We record all data from our quality control process as a means to understand the genesis of a given issue, to limit scrap and ultimately to ensure the highest quality records.

  • Test Pressings: IRP presses and listens to each test pressing that is produced. We identify and alert our customers of any concerns relating to the audio master including an inspection of the stampers and related materials. In the event that an issue persists, our process engineer and audio experts work with our clients for solutions and quick resolution.

MODERN PLANT

  • Record Presses: Employing modern technology and maximizing an efficient output of records, installed between 2017-2023, IRP currently operates nine VIRYL WarmTone record presses.

  • Climate Control & Scale: IRP operates a climate controlled, 20,000 square foot facility. In addition to providing a positive employee experience, our climate controlled environment promotes the production of flat records.

  • Boiler: With oversight by the state of New Jersey for safety, in 2020, IRP installed a new boiler with 24/7 chemical monitoring. Our monitoring system and maintenance ensures that the boiler operates at peak performance, producing consistent steam, a critical part of producing high quality records.

  • Chiller: Providing the latest technologies in energy conservation and environmentally friendly refrigerant, IRP’s chiller was installed in 2021. Boasting a closed loop system, the chiller is designed to conserve water through a system that continually reuses it. Our modernized chiller allows for ample cooling, ensuring that records are properly processed and sound great.