First Release Checklist: Audio, Artwork, Metadata

Before You Start

Rushing a release leads to rejected submissions, delayed launch dates, and metadata errors that haunt you forever. This checklist covers everything distributors require so you can submit once and get it right.

Plan to complete these items at least 3 weeks before your target release date.

Audio Requirements

Every distributor has slightly different specs, but these standards work universally:

Do not upload MP3s. Even high-bitrate MP3s are lossy compressed. Platforms need lossless source files to encode their own streaming formats.

Master your audio. Distributors don't apply mastering. If your mix isn't mastered, pay for professional mastering or use a quality AI mastering service. Unmastered tracks sound quiet and thin compared to other releases.

Check for clipping. Audio that peaks above 0dB will distort. Your mastered file should peak around -0.5dB to -1dB with headroom for encoding.

Name files clearly. Use ArtistName_TrackName.wav format. Avoid special characters that might cause encoding issues.

Artwork Requirements

Cover art appears on every platform, in every size, from phone screens to smart TVs. Quality matters.

Content rules to avoid rejection:

• No blurry or pixelated images
• No website URLs, email addresses, or social handles
• No pricing information or "available on Spotify" type text
• No excessive text in outer edges (thumbnails crop margins)
• No explicit imagery that violates platform policies
• No logos of streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple, etc.)
• Text should be readable at thumbnail size

If your artist name or track title doesn't appear on the artwork, that's fine - metadata handles identification. Purely visual artwork is allowed.

Required Metadata

Metadata is the information attached to your release. Get it right the first time - changes after release create discrepancies across platforms.

Artist name: Exactly as you want it displayed everywhere. Consistent spelling and capitalization across all releases. If you use "The Artist" on one release and "the artist" on another, they may create separate profiles.

Track title: No version info unless it's a remix or variant (e.g., "Song Title (Acoustic Version)"). No artist name in the title field. No genre indicators ("Pop Hit" is not a track title).

Album/Release title: For singles, typically matches the track title. For EPs and albums, the project name.

Genre: Primary genre and optionally a secondary genre. Be accurate - misgenres hurt discoverability and can cause rejection.

Release date: The day you want music to go live globally. Must be at least 7 days in the future for playlist pitching (ideally 3-4 weeks for full review cycles).

Copyright year: The year of first publication. Usually the current year for new releases.

Copyright owner: Your name, label name, or rights holder. Format: "© 2025 Artist Name"

℗ (phonographic copyright): Owner of the sound recording rights. Format: "℗ 2025 Artist Name"

Songwriter credits: Full legal names of all songwriters. This is mandatory for proper royalty distribution.

Producer credits: Optional but recommended for discoverability and proper attribution.

Language: The language of vocals. "Instrumental" if no vocals.

Explicit content: Flag if lyrics contain explicit language. Platforms filter explicit content for some listeners.

ISRCs and UPCs

ISRC (International Standard Recording Code): Unique 12-character identifier for each individual track. Most distributors generate these automatically during upload.

• If this is a brand new recording, let your distributor assign the ISRC
• If you're re-releasing or switching distributors, use the existing ISRC to preserve streaming history
• Never reuse ISRCs across different recordings

UPC (Universal Product Code): 12-digit barcode for the release (single, EP, or album) as a product. Distributors typically provide these automatically.

• One UPC per release, not per track
• Essential for chart tracking and retail reporting

Write down your ISRCs and UPCs after release. You'll need them if you ever switch distributors or re-release.

Pre-Release Setup

Complete these steps after submission, before release date:

• Claim your Spotify for Artists profile (if not already done)
• Claim your Apple Music for Artists profile
• Submit playlist pitch through Spotify for Artists (at least 7 days before release)
• Set up pre-save campaign using your distributor's tools or third-party services
• Prepare release announcements for social media
• Schedule any promotional posts for release day

The Timeline

4 weeks before release:

• Finalize master audio
• Commission or finalize artwork
• Confirm all metadata and credits

3 weeks before release:

• Upload to distributor
• Complete submission with all required fields
• Set release date

2-3 weeks before release:

• Submission is approved and delivered to platforms
• Pitch to Spotify editorial playlists
• Begin teasing release on social media

1 week before release:

• Confirm release appears in Spotify/Apple "Upcoming" sections
• Activate pre-save campaigns
• Finalize promotional content

Release day:

• Verify release is live on all platforms
• Post announcements
• Monitor for any issues

Common Rejection Reasons

Distributors reject submissions for:

Audio issues:

• Wrong format (MP3 instead of WAV)
• Clipping/distortion
• Silence at track start or end
• Sample rate mismatch

Artwork issues:

• Wrong dimensions
• Blurry or low resolution
• Prohibited content (URLs, platform logos)
• Cropping issues

Metadata issues:

• Artist name mismatch with existing profile
• Missing or incomplete credits
• Genre mismatch with actual content
• Inappropriate or misleading titles

Content issues:

• Copyright infringement (samples without clearance)
• Duplicate content already in catalog
• Content that violates platform terms

If rejected, fix the specific issue and resubmit. Most rejections are minor fixes that don't delay release significantly if you have buffer time built into your timeline.

After Release

Within 24-48 hours of release:

• Verify release is live on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon
• Check that artwork and metadata display correctly
• Confirm links are working (share a test link with yourself)
• Note your ISRC and UPC for future reference
• Submit to SoundExchange if you haven't registered your catalog

Within the first month:

• Check first royalty statement shows the release
• Monitor streaming analytics for any anomalies
• Continue promotion as planned

Your first release is a learning process. Note what went smoothly, what caused friction, and refine your process for next time. Distribution gets easier with repetition.