These vinyl records with the unique shapes can give you more bang for your buck because not only do they play good music (as they should), they can be good deco, too!
There are so many ways to make vinyl records more quirky and creative than just having them in the classic black. There are splatter vinyl, clear vinyl records, metallic vinyl records, colored vinyl, vinyl records with weird ingredients like blood or ash…the possibilities are endless! But what really stands out in an instant is a vinyl record with a unique shape. This type of record is called a picture disc.
Collectors traditionally reserve the term picture disc for records with graphics that extend at least partly into the actual playable grooved area, distinguishing them from picture label discs, which have a specially illustrated and sometimes very large label, and picture back discs, which are illustrated on one unplayable side only.
For your inspiration, here are some picture disc custom vinyl records with the most unique shapes:
[If you’re a musician thinking of getting our vinyl record pressing service, click here to get a quote.]
Table of Contents
CHEECH AND CHONG-UP IN SMOKE
The Cheech & Chong Record Store Day 7-Inch features two versions of their classic track “Up In Smoke,” in Celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary.
PARAMORE- THE HOLIDAY SESSIONS
This 7″ that was only pressed to 700 copies released by pop punk band Paramore contained 3 brief interludes was shaped endearingly as a Hibiscus.
FUN- THE GHOST THAT YOU ARE TO ME
We were pretty surprised to find out that this massively successful indie pop band from New York City (they’re currently on hiatus) actually came out with an odd shaped one of their own! – an RSD Gear shaped vinyl that was limited to 2000 units.
HAIM- MY SONG 5
Shaped after guitarist/keyboardist and vocalist of the group Alana Haim, this limited edition picture disc featured both the title track and the remix with a neat feature from A$AP Ferg.
MADONNA- INTO THE GROOVE
A heart-shaped vinyl with newspaper print design for Madonna’s Desperately Seeking Susan soundtrack.
Quantic and Alice Russell- I’D CRY
The double A-side single features tracks “I’d Cry” (the not-so-cryptic inspiration behind the design) and “Here Again” from the British duo’s debut collaboration Look Around The Corner. Presented in a nasolacrimal clear PVC sleeve.
STATE SONGS- JOHN LINNELL
Green vinyl shaped like United States.
PHOENIX- MONOLOGUE
Not a bad gift for your significant other who likes Phoenix.
OZZY OSBOURNE- MIRACLE MAN
Would be really nice to see the face of Ozzy spinning while you bang to the music.
MEGADETH – ANARCHY IN THE UK
This is similar to the “State Songs” vinyl above but just the UK map this time.
Nightcrawler- STRANGER SHADOWS
Nightcrawler’s Strange Shadows soundtrack EP. The darkwave artist’s recent output of five original cuts and four remixes clearly draws its inspiration from the 1980s era Italian Giallo crime fiction and murder mystery films.
GARY NUMAN- Radio Heart
GARY NUMAN 1987 UK limited edition radio Shaped Picture Disc 7″ single
We here at Unified are obsessed with beautiful vinyl packaging. We’ve been making creative releases since 2008 and lovely packaging has become an obsession of ours. We even have a Pinterest page dedicated to all things media packaging. If you want to make a really badass album with cool vinyl packaging, get a quote or shoot us an email.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
