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The 'first automated pressing plant in 30 years' could be on the way

A Dallas-based company is planning to start construction this autumn

Vinyl has been on the rise for some time now, and as the popularity of the format continues to grow, so does the strain put on the limited number of pressing plants worldwide.

Companies have been reluctant to invest large sums into new pressing technology over fears that the resurgence may be a short-lived craze that will leave them out of pocket down the line.

That may be about to change, with Dallas-based company Hand Drawn Records planning to begin construction on what they are claiming is the “world’s first automated pressing plant” in three decades, aiming to streamline and speed up the process.

Hand Drawn founder Dustin Blocker said “We want to encourage more artists to consider pressing vinyl, but without all the hassle. Musicians want to focus on playing their instruments and connecting with fans, not learning all the nuances of the vinyl record manufacturing process.”

To see what the inside of a current pressing plant looks like check out this image gallery, and to see some of the weirdest things ever pressed to vinyl, including haemorrhoid-infected diarrhoea, go here.

[Via: DMN]

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter