How our album art became vinyl
I drew this cover in Copic marker and Sharpie. The original later hung above our old Murfreesboro practice space.
On a screen, it was an image. At twelve inches, every imperfect line suddenly had a body.
I did not want the printing to sand the hand out of it. The handmade strangeness had to survive. It did.
Creating album art that transitions beautifully onto vinyl is an artistic challenge that many creatives face. I’ve had personal experience working on similar projects, where the key was to maintain the raw, handmade quality of the original artwork throughout the printing process. Markers like Copic and tools like Sharpies bring a vibrant, tactile essence to drawings that often doesn't fully translate on digital screens. However, when scaled to the twelve-inch vinyl format, these imperfections come alive and add character. One of the biggest fears artists have is losing the 'handmade strangeness' during the printing, as many printing techniques tend to smooth out or flatten textures. To avoid this, it’s critical to communicate closely with the printing company or choose a vinyl printing process that supports high detail and texture retention. Techniques such as spot varnishing or textured coatings can enhance the tactile feel, making the artwork truly stand out. Moreover, the emotional connection between the artwork and the musicians or creators is strengthened by seeing every brushstroke and marker line gain physical weight on vinyl. For me, having my piece displayed in a physical space, like your practice room, before digitizing it for vinyl projects, enriches the creative journey and helps preserve authenticity. Given the rise of vinyl's popularity in recent years, especially within music communities valuing analog experiences, album art that honors its handmade origins resonates deeply with listeners and collectors alike. This approach invites the vinyl owner to appreciate the artwork not just visually but as a collectible piece with tangible depth and individuality. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t just live on screens but can be transformed into something real and cherished.