Vinyl Keeps Growing. Here’s What It Means for Independent Artists.
Streaming may be how most people listen to music today, but vinyl just keeps getting stronger. This spring’s Record Store Day brought hundreds of new and limited-edition releases to thousands of record shops, and the numbers behind the event tell an encouraging story for any artist thinking about pressing a record.
The numbers
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Americans spent a record $11.5 billion on recorded music in 2025, and streaming accounted for the large majority of it. But vinyl had a remarkable year of its own. Sales grew 9.3%, passing $1 billion for the first time in decades, and it was the 19th year in a row of growth, as USA Today reported.
In other words, streaming didn’t replace vinyl. For many music fans, it made owning a physical record feel more special.
Why fans buy vinyl
A streaming service can recommend endless new songs, but it can’t give fans something to hold. Vinyl offers large cover art that catches the eye in a record bin, and a jacket that opens up to full-color images, lyrics, and liner notes.
I love collecting vinyl because nothing is better than sitting on your couch putting on a record and just listening to music like that.
Bruno Mars, USA Today
Record Store Day co-founder Carrie Colliton described the appeal as fans wanting to own what they listen to, feel closer to the artists they love, and enjoy the ritual of playing a record, all at local shops where their “neighbors and friends are the algorithm.”
That last point matters for independent artists. Vinyl fans aren’t just buying music. They’re supporting the artists and communities behind it.
Stand out with a special edition
Much of Record Store Day’s excitement comes from limited editions: records pressed in small quantities, often in colors or formats you can’t get anywhere else. Fans line up early because they know those records won’t be around for long.
You can use the same idea for your own release:
Colored vinyl turns your record into a collectible. See our vinyl color options for what’s possible.
180-gram vinyl feels substantial in the hand and appeals to serious listeners.
A gatefold jacket gives you twice the space for artwork, photos, and lyrics.
A limited, numbered run gives fans a reason to buy now rather than later.
Partner with your local record store
The official Record Store Day list is curated, but you don’t need to be on it to benefit from the same energy. Independent record stores love supporting local artists. Ask about an in-store release event or listening party, or see whether they’ll stock your record on consignment. It’s a natural way to put your vinyl in front of exactly the people who buy it.
Plan ahead
Vinyl’s popularity keeps pressing plants busy, and much of the industry quotes three to four months from start to finish. At Groove House, finished records ship about six weeks after you approve your test pressing, but you’ll still want to allow time for mastering, artwork, and test pressings before that.
Our advice from decades of experience: plan your release around having the records in your hands, and give yourself a safety margin. If you’re aiming for a spring release, the time to start is this winter.
