Label copy is the text information that appears on physical releases (CDs, vinyl, cassettes) and in distribution system metadata. Correct label copy is required by distributors, pressing plants, and retailers.
What Is Label Copy
Label copy refers to all the text that appears on or inside a physical music release, including the front cover, back cover, inner sleeve, spine, and disc/label, and the corresponding metadata submitted to distributors and retailers.
For digital-only releases, the equivalent is the metadata submitted to your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, Believe, OKListen). Errors in label copy result in incorrect credits, misattributed royalties, and display errors on streaming platforms.
Release Identification
Release Title: Release Type: Album / EP / Single / Compilation Artist Name (as it should appear on all platforms): Label Name: (or "Self-Released" / "Independent") Catalogue Number: (e.g., ARTST001, create your own system if self-releasing) Release Date: UPC Code: Country of Origin: India
Track Listing
Total Duration
Number of Tracks
Production Credits
Produced by: Recorded at: Recording City: Recorded in: (year) Mixed by: Mixed at: Mastered by: Mastered at: Executive Producer:
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL (list all session musicians and contributors):
Artwork & Packaging Credits
Cover Photography by: Cover Design / Artwork by: Photography by (press photos): Styling by: Hair & Makeup by: Liner Notes written by:
Thank you / Acknowledgements
[Write your thank you notes here. This section typically appears in the inner sleeve or booklet.]
[Personal acknowledgements]
[Band/crew acknowledgements]
[Venue/production acknowledgements]
[Industry partners and labels]
[Family acknowledgements]
LEGAL TEXT (Copy-paste the applicable lines to your artwork files)
Standard Copyright Line
© [Year] [Artist/Label Name]. All rights reserved.
IPRS LINE (for compositions): All compositions administered by IPRS (Indian Performing Rights Society).
PPL LINE (for recordings): Sound recordings licensed by PPL India.
MANUFACTURING LINE (for physical): Manufactured in India by [Pressing Plant Name]. Manufactured under licence.
EXCLUSIVE LABEL LINE (if signed to a label): All rights of the manufacturer and owner of the work reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this recording prohibited.
Parental Advisory, Explicit Content
Distributor Line
Distributed by [Distributor Name]. For India: Distributed by [DistroKid / Believe / OKListen / other].
Physical Packaging Checklist
- Front cover artwork: 3000×3000px minimum, CMYK, bleed area added (typically 3mm)
- Back cover artwork with full tracklist
- Spine text (artist name, album title, label name, catalogue number)
- Inner sleeve / booklet artwork
- Disc label artwork (for CD pressing)
- Label copy text document (this document) sent to plant
- UPC barcode embedded in back cover artwork
- All legal text lines included
- Catalogue number confirmed on all packaging elements
- IPRS and PPL India registration confirmed before pressing begins
DIGITAL LABEL COPY (for distributor submission)
Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026