Custom vinyl record slip mats for music labels, indie record shops, DJs, vinyl release campaigns, and bands selling merch alongside their LPs. Single-sided screen printing on durable felt, sized for standard 12" turntable platters, with custom thickness available from 2mm to 5mm depending on your turntable setup and use case.
Alchemy is a production partner built by artists, musicians, and brand owners. We've helped creators produce over 5 million custom products since 2019, and we don't operate like a promotional products company. Whether you're an indie illustrator running your first 50-piece drop, a band making merch for a tour, or a designer ordering for a brand launch, our job is the same: make the best merch we can for you.
What slip mats actually are
A slip mat is the felt disc that sits between the record and the turntable platter. Its job is twofold: protect the record from scratching against the metal platter, and provide enough grip (or controlled slip, for DJs) for proper rotation. Custom slip mats put your design on that disc, so every time someone plays your record (or a DJ uses it in a set), your artwork is visible.
Common use cases: vinyl record release merch (slip mat sold or included with the LP), record store branded merch, DJ identity products, indie label collectibles, music festival giveaways, and limited-run merch drops paired with vinyl pressings.
What you get
- Material: Durable felt
- Default thickness: 3mm — provides excellent record protection and standard grip
- Custom thickness options: 2mm to 5mm, specify in your order notes (thinner felts are more common for DJ use, thicker for archival/protective use)
- Print: Single-sided screen printing in your choice of colors
- Express shipping included
Pairs well with tote bags
If you're producing slip mats for a vinyl release, you'll probably want a tote bag to match. Our standard cotton canvas tote bags are sized at 40cm × 35cm, which fits a 12" vinyl record cleanly. Common merch bundle: slipmat + tote + LP.
How a run actually works
Most orders start with a quote, not a cart. You send us your artwork (vector preferred for clean lines, raster works for full-color), and we come back with pricing, a production timeline, and any production notes within a business day or two. We'll flag anything in the file that won't translate well at production size before we move forward.
From proof approval, most overseas products are about a month to your door. That's the nature of producing 100% custom merchandise overseas vs. shipping a stock promotional item. Shipping is express and included in the price.
If you have a hard deadline, tell us before you order. We don't charge rush fees. We'll either confirm we can hit your date or tell you up front that we can't, so you can plan around it.
Why our minimum is 50
It's a factory math thing, not a quality stance. The factories we work with charge a labor minimum that covers setup, mold use, proofing, and the production run itself. That floor barely changes between a 25-piece and a 50-piece order, so a 25-piece run costs almost the same as 50 with half the output. 50 is where the per-piece price actually starts to make sense.
We can run smaller hard sample runs if you really need to (the factory will do it), but it's not financially viable for most people: you're paying close to 50-piece pricing for a fraction of the output. If you're set on a small run, email us first and we'll walk through whether it's worth it. Larger runs (100, 200, and up) bring the per-piece cost down meaningfully.
Who we work with
Artists running their own work: illustrators, bands, indie brand owners, podcasters, comic creators, convention sellers. Designers ordering for a brand launch, an event, a campaign, or a customer giveaway. Agencies and design studios producing merch for their clients. Merch companies running production for the artists they represent. The common thread is that the merch matters: it's representing a brand, a band, an artist, or a project that someone cares about.
What you get with Alchemy
- 5+ million products produced for creators and brands since 2019.
- 100% money-back guarantee. If it's not right, we remake it at no cost or refund you in full.
- Long-standing factory relationships. We've been working with the same vetted overseas factories for years. Consistent quality, predictable timelines, no chasing the lowest quote at the cost of the product. You get a US-based partner who handles the production logistics for you.
- Quality good enough for licensed brands. We've produced merch for officially licensed properties and large brands. The same standard goes on every order, including yours.
- A team of artists, musicians, and brand owners. Not customer-service reps trained on a script. Everyone proofing your file knows what it feels like to send their own art to a factory and hope it comes back right.
Common questions
What thickness should I pick?
3mm is the default and works for most use cases (record protection, casual play, branded merch for collectors). DJs often prefer 2mm because it grips less, allowing controlled slipping during scratching and back-cueing. 4mm and 5mm are useful for record protection in archival or display contexts. If you're not sure, 3mm is the safe choice.
Can I do double-sided slip mats?
This product is single-sided. For double-sided slip mats (different artwork on each face), email us and we'll quote it as a custom option.
How does screen printing work on felt?
Screen printing on felt is the standard process — ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the fabric. Best for 1-3 color designs with clean lines. The ink lays on the surface of the felt rather than soaking through, which keeps the colors vivid.
Can I do photo-realistic art on slip mats?
Screen printing isn't ideal for photo-realistic art. For full-color or photo-realistic designs on felt, we'd need to quote a different print process; email us and we'll walk through the options.
What size are they?
Sized for standard 12" turntable platters. Custom sizes available; email us if your project needs a different diameter.
Can I do multiple designs in one order?
Yes, as long as each design hits the 50-piece minimum at the same size and thickness. Different designs are quoted as separate runs because each needs its own screen setup.
How long do slip mats take?
About four weeks from proof approval to your door, including express shipping. No rush fees.
Do I see a proof before production?
Yes. Digital proof for review before printing. Revisions until you approve.
Are these made in the USA?
Slip mats are produced overseas at long-vetted factories. Our team is US-based and handles file prep, proofing, and customer success. Our wooden products and stickers are made in the USA.
Start a quote
Send us your artwork and a rough quantity, and we'll come back with pricing and a timeline within a business day or two. Not sure if your file will work? Send what you have. We'll tell you what we'd need to make it production-ready. Start a quote.
Design Templates
Set up your artwork at the correct size with proper bleed and safe zones using our production templates. Vector files (PDF/AI/EPS) are preferred for clean lines and scaling; raster (PSD) works for full-color artwork at 300dpi.
- Vector Slip Mat Template (Vector PDF)
- Raster/ PSD Slip Mat Template (Raster PSD)
