Things to Include on your Album & Cover

Important Stuff to Include on Your Album and Album Cover 

UPC Bar Codes: Most packaging today currently includes UPC or bar codes for scanning at point of sale. A bar code is also required if you plan to market your music online via Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon etc. Summit Sound can create your bar code to meet all regulations for a fee of $50. Keep in mind that a separate bar code is required for CD, USB, or DVD of the same project so the point of sale register can differentiate between each. Call us for more information.

ISRC Codes: If you intend to market your music online via services such as Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon etc. you will need to include ISRC codes on each of the songs you release, as this is how these services track your digital sales. You can acquire your own unique ISRC code in Canada from: www.connectmusic.ca and in the USA from: www.isrcifpi.org.  Individual ISRC codes are then created for each song you release and must also be properly embedded in your audio master and/or submitted manually to any service placing your music online.

Listing the Country of Manufacture On Packaging: It is required by law that your product be clearly marked with the country where it is manufactured or printed. If you are supplying your own design files, it is your responsibility to include this information. Products to be produced by Summit Sound must include PRINTED / MADE IN CANADA on the packaging (usually at the bottom of the CD tray card on back of CD package and also on the disc imprint) The type font used for MADE IN CANADA must be equal in size and weight to any contact or distribution information, address and other information listed along with it. Products without this information will be refused by import/export authorities. 

Other: You may want to include your website, a telephone number, address, or other contact information on your cover. Other items that are often included are MAPL logos to indicate Canadian content, performance rights affiliation (SOCAN, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) for songs you’ve written, as well as serving notice of copyright for any original material and/or the entire project.(ie. © 2020 John Doe/SOCAN)